First-ever BMW M3 wagon confirmed for South Africa – Details

BMW South Africa has confirmed that the “first-ever” M3 in Touring body style will be made available in the local market in “limited quantities” in 2024.

The local pricing of the high-performance wagon is yet to be revealed, and neither is the number of examples earmarked for our roads.

If we take other limited-edition BMWs that launched in the country over the past few years as benchmarks, such as the M3 CS, M4 CSL, and M5 CS, of which between 10 and 20 units came to South Africa, the Touring will likely be offered in a small batch for a select number of lucky collectors.

High-performance blended with practicality

The M3 Touring is driven by the same 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, twin-turbocharged petrol engine as the rest of the M3/M4 line-up, developing a substantial 375kW and 650Nm output.

Based on the M3 xDrive, the Touring is equipped with an eight-speed M Steptronic gearbox, as well as a four-wheel-drive system with an active differential on the rear axle.

The station wagon is naturally a bit heavier than its sedan sibling, and this has impacted its 0-100km/h sprint by 0.1 seconds for a time of 3.6 seconds. It then clears 200km/h in 12.9 seconds and reaches a capped top speed of 250km/h.

Blending performance with practicality, the Touring is the perfect companion for barreling cross-country on a high-octane road trip as it swallows 500 litres of cargo with the rear seats erected and up to a maximum of 1,510 litres in two-seater mode.

To add to its comfort levels, the M3 is equipped with a host of standard amenities such as three-zone climate control, Merino leather sports seats, front-collision warnings, lane-departure warnings, and cruise control.

A configurable 12.3-inch driver’s display and 14.9-inch infotainment system – which offers navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and M-specific widgets – also sits on the dash under a single curved glass panel.

Automatic tailgate operation and a separately-opening rear window are both standard, too, as well as a storage compartment underneath the boot floor to provide space for the luggage compartment cover and boot partition net.

Optionally, buyers can get M Carbon buckets seats that weigh 9.6kg less than the standard ones, a heads-up display, and a host of additional driver assistance features.

BMW M3 Touring