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BMW has unveiled the second body form in the 3 series family, taking the wraps off the 3 Series Touring.
Joining the seventh-generation 3 Series sedan, the Touring is bigger than before, yet promises a sportier drive. And for the first time, the mid-size wagon will get a plug-in hybrid in the form of the 330e variant from 2020.
Hailed from BMW’s Munich plant with production scheduled to start in late September, the Touring has been confirmed for Australia with roll out expected in the third quarter of 2019.
If the outgoing Touring is of any indication, we can expect BMW to continue to offer the new Touring with fewer powertrain options than the higher-selling sedan. Currently, just two four-cylinder petrol variants – 320i and 330i – are offered in the five-door 3 Series in Australia, priced from $63,400 plus on-road costs.
Built on the same new advanced CLAR architecture as the new 3 Series sedan and other rear-wheel drive BMW models, the new Touring is bigger in all dimensions than the previous model, measuing 76mm longer at 4709mm, 16mm wider at 1827mm and 8mm taller at 1470mm.
Its wheelbase has also been stretched some 41mm to 2851mm – identical to that of the sedan – while front and rear tracks have increase by 43mm and 21mm respectively.
The larger footprint results in a bigger interior, with improved headroom and shoulder room as well as a bigger boot. Body rigidity is said to have been improved by 25 per cent.
At launch In Europe, the Touring will be available with three petrol and three diesel engine choices, mirroring the sedan range.
| Engine | Power | Transmission | |
| 318d Touring | 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel | 147 hp/110 kW | 6MT, 8AT |
| 320d/320d xDrive Touring | 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel | 188 hp/140 kW | 6MT, 8AT |
| 330d xDrive Touring | 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel | 261 hp/195 kW | 8AT |
| 320i Touring | 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol | 181 hp/135 kW | 8AT |
| 330i/330i xDrive Touring | 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol | 255 hp/190 kW | 8AT |
| M340i xDrive Touring | 3.0-liter six-cylinder petrol | 369 hp/275 kW | 8AT |
BMW is expected to release details of the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powetrain destined for the Touring closer to its launch later this year.
The new Touring is claimed to be the sportiest ever, with it making big strides in agility without compromising ride comfort, thanks to the increase in body stiffness, more rigid chassis mounts and continuously variable dampers that are now standard across the range.
Pricing and specification for the new 3 Series Touring will be announced closer to its local launch in September.
