June 21st 2022
When the first E30 BMW M3 came in the 1980s, we admired it and pondered what a long-roof model would look like. Well, the Bavarian automaker took a long time (36 years to be exact) to show us the M3 Touring. The 2023 BMW M3 debuts with lots of power and thrill, but it will not be available for the worldwide markets. America and China will have to live without this five-door M3.
The 2023 M3 Touring is solely based on the Competition model, so it obviously borrows its powerplant. The 3.0-litre straight-six turbo mill produces a mighty 503 horsepower (375 kilowatts) and mates to the standard xDrive all-wheel drivetrain. The power goes to all the wheels through an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission.
Hit the throttle and you will quickly reach 62 mph (100 km/h). It just takes 3.6 seconds, which is super quick for a wagon. Keep pushing the pedal and you will find yourself cruising at 174 mph with the optional M Driver’s Package. However, if the optional package isn’t there, you have to suffice with 155 mph.
If you believe it is another 3 Series Touring with the M3’s huge nose and a more powerful mill, you are mistaken. To house the M-special rear axle, BMW made the M3 Touring 3.3 inches longer and 3.0 inches wider than the regular wagon. Obviously, it is a little lower, and to accommodate the large open room behind the seats, the engineers added bracing underneath. Overall, the M3 Touring is about 200 pounds weightier than the M3 sedan. However, you would get the 53.3 cubic feet of boot area with the rear seats folded, which you can access via the hatch.
On the inside, we find a huge curved display, which is available in other latest BMWs as well. The one-piece glass contains a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment system boasting the automaker’s new Operating System 8. Because it is an M3, we find M-specific functions including various drive modes like Comfort, Track, etc. You can even use the Drift mode for drifting and also select 2WD mode if you do not want the all-wheel-drive grip.
Other features are pretty much the same as we get in the regular M3. We are talking about 19-inch wheels on the front and 20-inchers at the rear. The suspension is both fun and practical for daily commutes. The automaker says the M3 Touring comes with a 50:50 weight distribution, which would make the ride smooth and balanced. If that’s not enough, BMW offers lots of elective upgrades as well as color choices, but whatever shade you choose, the roof remains black.
The 2023 BMW M3 Touring will be available for ordering from this September, while the deliveries in Germany and the UK are expected in December. The accessibility for the Europe, Asia and other countries will be next year, but it will be a forbidden fruit for the U.S. The starting price will be 97,800 euros.
Source and Images: Motor1