The first-ever M3 station wagon was caught
driving around “M Town” aka BMW’s facilities in Munich, Germany. These photos
provide us with a more definite look at the car that takes the regular 3-Series
Touring body and enhances it with bespoke elements from the M3 sedan, including
the bespoke nose and wider bumpers.
BMW is staying tight-lipped about the
model, but they have previously said the M3 Touring is in the early stages of
its approximately two year long development process. As a result, the model is
still a ways off and will be launched after the M4 Convertible which debuts
next year. That being said, BMW has stated the go-ahead to test on public roads
“means that the decisive step towards series maturity has been taken.”
The company has been coy on
specifications, but the standard M3 will be powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter
six-cylinder engine sourced from the X3 M and X4 M. In base form, it produces
473 hp and 598 Nm of torque. Customers will also
be able to opt for a Competition variant which has 503 hp.
While the Bavarians have already confirmed
the M3 Touring will have a “6-cylinder M TwinPower turbo engine,” additional details
remain unconfirmed. This means we can’t be certain the wagon will be offered
with automatic and manual transmissions as well as a choice of rear- or
all-wheel drive like the upcoming sedan model. Regardless, BMW has said the car
will be the most fun and precise wagon in its class. They have also described
the M3 Touring as a “functional utility” that’s also a “thoroughbred sports
car.”
