BMW Australia will introduce the first-ever BMW M3 Touring to the local market in the first quarter of next year.

The Touring will be offered in one spec only – the Competition specification – with power coming from a 375kW/650Nm, 3-litre six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology.

That will make the wagon pretty potent, with 100 km/h reached in just 3.6 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h, but that can be bumped to 280km/h with the optional M Driver’s Package. The engine is paired with an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system, which combines with the Active M Differential at the rear axle.

A Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system includes wheel slip limitation integrated into the engine control unit, while M Dynamic Mode and M Traction Control are fitted as standard. Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers and M Servotronic steering with a variable ratio come as standard. Optional M Carbon ceramic brakes can be ordered as an alternative to the already standard M Compound braking system.

Forged M light-alloy wheels in 19-inch for the front and 20-inch for the rear are fitted as standard and can be specified with track tyres as an option.

On the inside, the BMW Curved Display is fitted as standard. The fully digital screen grouping is made up of a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch Control Display. It is positioned behind a single glass surface and angled towards the driver. The information display behind the steering wheel presents all relevant driving information with new M-specific style graphics. M-specific widgets with information on the car set-up and tyre condition can be shown on the Control Display’s home screen. A BMW Head-Up Display with M-specific content will also be available.

An M-specific control/operation system provides direct access to settings and options for the engine, chassis, steering, braking system and M xDrive. Two overall vehicle set-ups can be stored and called up using the M buttons on the steering wheel. As well as M Traction Control, M Drive Professional also offers the M Drift Analyser and the M Lap timer.

The M Mode button on the centre console can be used to adjust the responses of the driver assistance systems and the content shown in the information display and Head-Up Display. Drivers can also choose from the ROAD, SPORT and TRACK settings.

Electrically adjustable M Sport seats with memory function and seat heating plus Merino leather trim come as standard but M Carbon bucket seats are an option.

The rear compartment of the BMW M3 Touring has three full-size seats and the rear-seat backrest can be split in a 40:20:40 arrangement. Folding down individual seat sections or all of them at the same time allows the car’s load capacity to be expanded to a maximum 1510 litres.
Automatic tailgate operation and separately opening rear window are both standard.

Safety is, as you’d expect, top quality and there’s a broad selection of automated driving and parking systems. Among these are Driving Assistant Professional with Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function, traffic light detection and Active Navigation, plus the Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant.

Other elements include Front Collision Warning, Speed Limit Display with no-overtaking indicator, Lane Departure Warning and Park Distance Control.

The latest-generation BMW iDrive vehicle experience system enables personalisation via the BMW ID and My BMW App, while smartphone integration for using CarPlay and Android Auto is also standard.

Full pricing and specification details for the BMW M3 Touring to be announced in the lead-up to launch.

The new BMW M3 Touring will arrive in Australia early next year.

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (July 2022) 

20 July 2022