For the first time ever, BMW has released a wagon version of the M3. In full, it is known as the BMW M3 Touring and while it features more in the way of practicality, one can say that it is as potent as the sedan version when performance is concerned.
The 2023 BMW M3 Touring
Exterior
Style-wise, the 2023 BMW M3 Touring looks the same as the sedan version. This is especially true from the front, where the marque’s signature kidney grilles are found. It also has the same angular lower front bumper that comes with sizable air vents. Moreover, it also comes with a pair of LED headlamp clusters.
The M3 Touring from the side
From the side though, this M3 in wagon form is also longer than the regular BMW 3 Series Touring. For length, it spans 4,794mm, which is 85mm longer than the non-M-Series wagon. It is also 76mm wider, at 1,903mm.
The rear of course mirrors the wagon design of the regular 3 Series Touring. But in being an M-series model, the M3 Touring gets a little more aggressive with its angular rear apron, which itself is home to quad exhaust tips. Completing the look of this model is a set of M light-alloy wheels which are 19-inches in size for the front, and 20-inch in size for the rear.
Its rear mirrors the muscular look of its front end
Other interesting bits for the BMW M3 Touring include a black-colored high-gloss roof, roof rails, as well as a roof-mounted spoiler. There’s also an M Carbon exterior package, which as the name implies replaces some exterior pieces with carbon fiber pieces.
Interior
Just like the sedan version, the M3 Touring can comfortably seat up to five. The highlight of this new M3 version however is the 500 liters of default cargo space in the rear. Fold down the rear seats and you get a whopping 1,500 liters of room. This of course adds more usability and practicality to this high-performance model.
Furthermore, ease of use is further enhanced by its trunk door. That’s because the said door actually has a split-open function wherein you can flip up just the glass portion. On top of that, the said tailgate is also automatic.
The M3 Touring's rear seats
Inside the BMW M3 Touring is a well-arranged cabin filled to the brim with comfort features. Among these is a three-zone automatic climate control system, ambient lighting, etc.
Its M Sport seats are then equipped with electronic adjustability and heating. These are then clad in Merino leather trim. There are, however, optional M Carbon bucket front passenger and driver seats.
As mentioned, the rear seats can be folded down flat for more cargo space. These, though, also have a 40:20:40 split function for added versatility. But if you need those up, this Bimmer wagon also comes with an additional compartment under the boot floor.
Tech & Safety
Concerning tech, the 2023 BMW M3 Touring is obviously given plenty. For starters, its dashboard is home to two large displays: a 14.9-inch curved touchscreen, as well as a 12.3-inch information display in front of the driver. These come with M-specific functions and widgets, and these can access information relating to the car’s engine, chassis, steering, and other mechanical bits.
The BMW M3 Touring's cockpit
The M3 Touring also comes standard with the latest BMW iDrive system and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. The latter feature allows for voice commands. And of course, the central touchscreen comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Safety-wise, this wagon version of the M3 also gets a front collision warning, parking distance control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, a parking assistant, among others.
Engine & Performance
Under the hood of the BMW M3 Touring is a 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six engine capable of churning out 510 horsepower and 650 Nm of torque. Power is then sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic gearbox.
The said gearbox can be manually controlled via paddle shifters, and the car itself gets several drive modes which can be switched via the M Mode button positioned on its center console. These include Road, Sport, and Track.
Catch this beast stretch its muscles at the upcoming 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
For suspensions, this beefy wagon uses a double-joint spring strut-type front axle, and a multi-link for the rear. These are all optimized to balance comfort and performance as they come with BMW’s Adaptive M suspension, as well as electronic shock absorbers.
Braking is then handled by disc brakes for all four wheels, though an optional M Carbon ceramic brake kit is available.
For now, the German marque is yet to release exact pricing details for the 2023 BMW M3 Touring. We do know though that it will be debuting soon at the upcoming 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed. And yes, it will be participating in the said event’s famous hill climb run.
For more updates on the BMW M3 Touring, keep it here on Philkotse.