Yes, folks, you read that header right — the BMW M3 Touring is heading to South Africa, with the local arm of the German marque confirming to APEX at the local launch of the new X1 and updated 3 Series that a limited number of units is heading to our market in 2024.
As a reminder, the first-ever M3 estate’s 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six engine produces 375 kW and 650 Nm, sent to the Bavarian car manufacturer’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system via the company’s eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission. BMW claims the M3 Touring completes the obligatory 0-100 km/h sprint in 3.6 seconds (a mere tenth of a second slower than its 100 kg-lighter M3 Competition xDrive sedan sibling) and the 0-200 km/h sprint in 12.9 seconds.
As standard, the top speed is electronically governed to 250 km/h. However, specifying the M Driver’s package lifts the maximum speed by 30 km/h, making it 280 km/h.
The M3 Touring’s chassis technology has been tuned to the performance profile of the engine and specific vehicle concept. The estate “creates an ideal balance of sports performance and majestic ride comfort in everyday use and over longer-distance journeys”.
In addition to the “basic” 4WD setting, the automaker says the xDrive system also features a 4WD Sport mode, providing “an even more intense” experience of the set-up’s rear-biased tuning. Switching off dynamic stability control brings “pure” rear-wheel drive into play.
Like the updated 3 Series, the M estate’s cabin features a curved display, incorporating 12.3-inch information and 14.9-inch control displays. A head-up display is optional. M Carbon bucket seats are also optional.
In terms of practicality, the M3 Touring offers 500 litres of luggage space. Folding down the 40:20:40-split rear bench increases loading capacity to 1 510 litres.
