New BMW 3 Series Touring: sporty estate makes Frankfurt debut

The new BMW 3 Series Touring has been shown at the Frankfurt motor show, with its maker promising it will retain the dynamic handling of the BMW 3 Series saloon. 

The new 3 Series estate will go on sale in late September with a range of petrol and diesel engines. For the first time in the Touring, there will be a plug-in hybrid 330e model, which will arrive in July 2020. As with the 330e saloon, it will feature a 248bhp powertrain, comprising a 181bhp petrol engine with a 111bhp electric motor, and the ability to run 39 miles on electric-only power. 

At launch, the petrol engine range will start with the 181bhp 320i and the range-topper will be the four-wheel-drive M340i xDrive, which has a 3.0-litre unit with 369bhp and 295lb ft. The M340i xDrive Touring can achieve 0-62mph in 4.5sec. 

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Diesel options will range from the 147bhp 318d to the 261bhp 330d xDrive. 

All models will have an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard. No manuals are offered in the range. 

The 3 Series Touring also receives a new lift-related damping system for the first time. An M Sport differential is standard on the M340i xDrive and optional on higher-spec models, as is M Sport suspension. 

Product manager Stefan Horn told Autocar the new Touring will “handle even better” than the old car thanks to a stiffer chassis, lower centre of gravity and weight reduction. 

Entry-level models will sit on 17in wheels as standard, rising to 19in on higher specs, with full-LED headlights and tail-lights also standard. Horn claimed the objective was to prioritise the car’s looks to increase desirability, as the estate sector declines in the face of SUVs.