BMW G21 3 Series Touring Breaks Cover - Bigger, More Practical Than Before

32 years after BMW released its first ever 3 Series Touring, the brand has just unveiled the all-new sixth generation model, in an effort to combine the driving dynamics of the G20 3 Series with a whole lot of practicality and convenience.

All set to make its world debut at the BMW #NextGen event next week at the BMW Welt in Munich, the all-new 3 Series Touring may look like an elongated version of the Sedan but there are a few unique features that set it apart.

First and foremost, the 3 Series Touring is a larger car than its predecessor. It is 76 mm longer, 16 mm wider, and 8 mm taller than the outgoing model. The rear windscreen is also 20 mm wider. The wheelbase is also 41 mm longer, while the front and rear track are wider by 43 mm and 21 mm respectively. Elsewhere, key standard features include full LED headlights and taillights, roof rails, and twin-pipe exhausts.

As for the rear, the new BMW 3 Series Touring comes as standard with automatic tailgate operation. The Comfort Access option allows hands-free opening and closing, too. The rear window opens separately, as will be familiar to BMW customers, and its aperture is 20 mm wider than on the outgoing model.

Loading large and heavy items will now be easier than the outgoing model thanks to a load compartment that is up to 112 mm wider, a 30 mm higher loading aperture that is up to 125 mm wider in its upper section, and a slightly lower loading sill at 616 mm.

The step between the lower loading sill and the boot floor has also been reduced from 35 mm to 8 mm. On top of all that, there is the additional option of a trailer coupling that extends and retracts again electrically.

In terms of storage space, the 3 Series Touring can hold 500 litres of luggage, which is 5 litres more than its predecessor. With the rear seats folded, load capacity can be increased to a maximum of 1,510 litres.

While the luggage compartment cover and the boot partition net can be transported in specially designed compartments underneath the boot floor, the optional anti-slip rails that are integrated into the boot floor, are a new feature not found on any of the new BMW 3 Series Touring’s competitors.

The rails automatically extend when the tailgate is closed and prevent cargo from sliding around during the journey. Other standard features in the car include a newly designed sports leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons, thumb rests and electroplated applications, a high centre console, and coordinated design of the door trim panels and instrument panel.

Shoulder room in the front of the cabin has grown particularly significantly, and the new car offers more headroom than its predecessor in all seats. The rear compartment, meanwhile, greets passengers with extra legroom and greater ease of entry and exit.

The rear seat bench accommodates three child seats, of which two can be fixed in place with ISOFIX attachment points.

Under the hood, there are a number of petrol and diesel powertrain options for the 3 Series Touring:

• M340i xDrive 3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbo, petrol - 374 PS / 500 Nm
• 330i 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo, petrol – 258 PS / 400 Nm
• 320i 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo, petrol – 184 PS / 300 Nm

As for diesel, there are three engine options as well with outputs varying between 147 PS and 260 PS). All engines are paired to an 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, with xDrive being offered as standard for the M340i.

Complementing the powertrain packages are the M-Sport suspension with a 10 mm drop in ride height.

Standard specification for the new BMW M340i xDrive Touring also includes an M Sport differential, which is available as an option for the BMW 330i Touring. 

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