BMW M3 Touring: finally BMW dared to launch the M3 that many of us have dreamed of

It was at the time of its 50th Anniversary that BMW dared to present the first BMW M3 Touring. And in an incomparable setting: the Goodwood Festival of Speed. A combination of the sportiness of the M3 with the versatility of the estate body, which for many not so long ago was considered heresy, but which to date has not done badly at all for its rivals: just look at the various generations of the Audi RS 4 Avant, or the Mercedes-AMG C-Class Estate.

Externally, there is no denying that the M3 Touring breathes M character from every angle. Its length is 4.79 metres, with a width of 1.90 metres and a height of 1.44 metres, while maintaining a wheelbase of 2.86 metres. The ground clearance is 122 mm, and the kerb weight stands at 1,940 kg.

Regardless of the body colour chosen, the roof comes as standard in gloss black finish; optionally, the M Carbon exterior styling package can be fitted, or the customer can choose a roof colour of their liking.

A family estate for the track: 510 CV and M xDrive traction

For the time being, the new member of the M3/M4 family, which already included the saloon, coupé and convertible versions, is presented in M3 Competition Touring form, equipped with M xDrive traction and the active M differential on the rear axle. Best of all, the driver can still select the 4WD Sport mode, which gives greater emphasis to the rear axle… or even switch off the DSC stability control completely, at which point the M3 Touring becomes a true rear-wheel-drive car. In this case, the degree of rear-wheel slip can be selected across 10 levels.

The engine of the BMW M3 Touring is the six-cylinder TwinPower Turbo, which delivers 375 kW (510 CV), coupled to the M Steptronic eight-speed transmission with Drivelogic. There is little left to reveal about its technical components at this stage. The powerful high-revving six-cylinder, which reaches a peak torque of 650 Nm, is the engine that serves as the basis for the new BMW M4 GT3 race car. This means its cooling and lubrication systems are designed to withstand extremely high longitudinal and lateral forces. The specific M exhaust produces a melody that sounds like heavenly music to enthusiasts of sports cars.

BMW announces for the M3 Touring an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, and just 12.9 seconds to reach double that speed from a standstill. The top speed is limited to 250 km/h as standard, but with the optional M Driver package it rises to 280 km/h.

As standard, it features 275/35 tyres on 19-inch wheels at the front axle, and 285/30 tyres mounted on 20-inch wheels at the rear. The brakes, with carbon-ceramic discs on both axles, use six-piston fixed calipers at the front and single-piston floating calipers at the rear.

Ready to travel… or to drive

Inside the M3 Touring, the atmosphere could not be more racing-inspired and high-tech, with carbon and aluminium trim, the contrast between the red upholstery and the black finishes, and the two screens of the BMW Curved Display, measuring 12.3 and 14.9 inches.

The standard sports front seats can optionally be replaced by M Carbon bucket seats, which save almost 10 kg in weight. Boot capacity reaches 500 litres, expandable to 1,510 litres by folding down the rear seats, whose backrests split 40:20:40. As a good estate that also considers practicality, the rear window can be opened independently without opening the tailgate, and there is a storage compartment beneath the boot floor.

An optional special non-slip rail system is available to secure luggage so that it does not move, even when driving spiritedly.

BMW will open orders for the new M3 Touring in September, and the first units will reach dealerships in November.

Image gallery BMW M3 Touring