BMW M3 Touring Pairs An Estate Body With A Manic 510PS Engine

The BMW M3 was the sole performance model in its segment to not get an estate body style. Especially considering that the Audi RS4 comes only as a station wagon, while the AMG C-Class gets both a sedan and station wagon. Well, BMW has hit back with the new M3 Touring, which brings the practicality of an estate while dialling the performance of a hawt M car.

Obviously, the first thing we are going to talk about is design. Even though the standard 3 Series and M340i can be had as an estate internationationally, this is the first time the M3 is getting this practical option. So the aggressive looking fascia of the sedan has been slapped on at the front with a sleek station wagon body. 

The M3 being a performance model is slammed down with a lower ride height, and coupled with the 19/20-inch staggered wheel setup, looks mean. This author’s favourite angle, though, has got to be the rear three quarters. BMW’s signature tail lamps and an aggressively styled diffuser with quad exhaust pipes just gives it an aggressive look. 

Of course, the main focus of this body style is its improved practicality, and the M3 is a supercar designed to shift homes at a rapid pace. Open the tailgate and you’re treated to a 500-litre cargo space. But if that ain’t enough for you, you can fold down the 40:20:40 rear seats to expand the total capacity to 1,510 litres. 

The cabin is also radically different from the M3 sedan, as the Touring now features BMW’s i-Drive 8 with the floating twin displays. Furthermore, the M-specific bits and the optional carbon fibre buckets do raise the bar when it comes to providing a sportier ambience. And lastly, the M1 and M2 buttons on the steering wheel take you directly to your preset driving modes. 

Speaking of which, let’s get to the heart of the matter. A 3-litre inline-six petrol engine sits underneath the hood, belting out 510PS to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Get your launch right and the M3 Touring does 0-100kmph in just 3.6 seconds. Keep your foot pinned and the speedo will climb up to 250kmph (electronically limited). 

Being a BMW, driving pleasure is guaranteed. The chassis is much stiffer than the standard car and couple that with M-specific sports suspension and you have an agile car. Plus, the four-wheel drive system can be shifted to just rear-wheel drive to make those smoky donuts associated with a BMW. It also gets modes that alter various parameters of the car. 

In India, we have the coupe version of this particular car, which is the BMW M4 Competition. Priced at Rs 1.43 crore (ex-showroom), the M4 Coupe locks horns with the Audi RS5.