Presentation and price: M3 Touring starts under 100,000 euros
Appearance and dimensions: M3 Touring is significantly longer
Visually, the M3 Touring is, as expected, identical to the sedan down to the B-pillar. In plain language: Large M kidneys, ventilation-friendly apron, flared wheel arches. As far as everything is known. From the B-pillar, the G81 then becomes a station wagon. The roof is black as standard, but can also be painted in the body color if desired.
Due to the modified aprons, the M3 Touring is around nine centimeters longer than a normal 3 Series Touring. Standard rim sizes are 19 inches on the front axle and 20 inches on the rear axle.
Torsion struts increase rigidity in the touring rear end. New spring and damper rates counteract drone frequencies.
Dimensions at a glance:
• Length: 4794 nn (+85 mm compared to 3 Series Touring)
• Broad: 1903 mm (+76 mm compared to 3 Series Touring)
• Height: 1436mm
• Wheelbase: 2857mm
• turning circle: 12.2m
• trunk volume: 500 – 1510 liters
Interior: Curved display and OS 8 as standard
This also means there will be more touching and speaking to give commands in the M3 in the future. In addition, the sportiest 3 Series gets new M-specific displays, which with their coloring (blue and red) match the skin colors of the M Ltd record, tape. The head-up display also features new graphics. The rest is to be expected.
Up to 1510 liters loading volume
Contemporary dual-screen cockpit in the M3 Touring. The graphics are colorful and angular – the timelessly functional scales have given way to wild graphics. The ergonomics remain outstanding.
With 500 to 1510 liters, the M3 Touring is in no way inferior to the 3 Series Touring in terms of loading volume – and with the standard 40/20/40 folding rear bench seat, it is just as variable as the standard 3 Series estate.
Drive and technology: M3 Touring exclusively as a competition
The only powertrain option for the M3 Touring is the 510 hp strong competition variant of the S58 biturbo in-line six-cylinder – stands in combination with the rear-heavy M xDrive all-wheel drive system and the well-known eight-speed automatic transmission. The maximum torque is 650 Nm.
The driving performance is appropriate for an M3: from 0 to 100 pass in the M3 Touring 3.6 seconds at full acceleration. The sprint from a standing start to 200 km/h takes 12.9 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h – if the M Drivers Package is on board, the electronics only slow down at 280 km/h.
Technical data at a glance:
• Perfomance: 375 kW (510 hp)
• Max. Torque: 650 Nm
• Drive: four wheel drive
• Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
• Acceleration 0-100km/h: 3.6s
• Acceleration 0-200km/h: 12.9s
• Top speed: 250 km/h (280 km/h with M Drivers Package)
• Consumption combined according to WLTP: 10.4 – 10.1 l/100 km
Conclusion: The technical differences to the normal M3 are marginal. Doesn’t matter! The M3 Touring is an affair of the heart that many M fans have been hoping for for decades. Nice that M GmbH dares to break its own taboo. Now only the manual M3 Touring is missing!
