The fresh faced 2023 BMW M3 Touring is equipped with more length, width and the latest BMW operating system 8 while planting your foot on the accelerator will get you all the way up to 280 km/h.
Specified in only the Competition flavour, the new 2023 BMW M3 Touring thus employs the 375 kW turbocharged straight-six which is paired to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic box that channels power to all four corners of the wagon. When all 610 N.m are used, the long-roofed M3 Touring can be catapulted from standstill to 100 km/h in only 3,6 seconds. Without an M Driver’s package, the top speed is limited to only 250 km/h although without it the wagon can achieve 30 km/h more.
This is the first of its kind in its range; the novel Bavarian wagon adorned with the revered M3 badge that is. BMW have therefore tweaked a few other aspects of the model to ensure that its intended function is not hindered by using the exact same platform as its sedan counterpart.
Considering the front half of the wagon is identical to that of the sedan, a host of changes needed to be conducted to allow for the longer roof. The new BMW M3 Touring makes use of an M-specific rear axle which expectedly required dimensions to be changed over the standard 3 Series Touring model. The rear end is 85 mm longer at 4 794 mm, 76 mm wider at 1 903 mm and 4 mm lower at 1 436 mm. This all means that there is more cargo space with the rear seats folded down but the compromise for this is around 90 kg more mass to haul around, also compliments of no carbon fibre roof like the sedan M3.
Despite this, BMW engineers attempted to make the M3 Touring feel as similar to its less practical counterpart as possible with chassis updates. This includes almost 50:50 weight distribution with bracing and strengthening links improving structural integrity as well as a new rear axle subframe.
The inside is also a little bit different to the M3 we already know; a single unit houses the 12.3-inch driver information centre and 14.9-inch infotainment system which uses BMW’s latest Operating System 8. Start digging in the numerous driving modes and the wagon can be turned into a rear-tyre shredding machine with 2WD mode.
South Africa has not yet been confirmed to receive the M3 Touring and considering its starting price in Europe is €97 800, it will likely cost quite a bit more than the standard M3 sedan locally.