BMW’s new 3-Series Touring unveiled
BMW 3-Series Touring
BMW have recently unveiled their new BMW 3-Series Touring, which aims to combine the additional space and versatility of a wagon body style with the performance and aesthetic style of their new sedan range.
The series will include six models, with the first variants that will see an international launch being the 320d, 328i and 33d; the rest, the 316d, 318d and 320i will start production towards the end of the year.
As far as the continent of Australia is concerned, Scott Croaker who is with BMW Australia confirmed that the new 3-Series Touring variants will start showing up in local showrooms during the first quarter of 2013, at about a year’s distance from the launch of the sedan. It is not known exactly which of the variants will show up, but it is thought that the range will include some if not all of the variants from the sedan line-up – namely the 318d, 320d, 320i and 328i.
The new 3-Series Touring will be 97mm longer than the older model; the wheelbase is also 50mm longer. The boot capacity as well has seen an increase, from 460 to 495 litres – if the case calls for it the 40:20:40 split rear bench can fold flat to create around 1500 litres of space behind the front seats. Keeping our attention on the boot, the Touring features electric tailgate operation which allows you to open the boot at the simple touch of a button, the A-pillar or the tailgate itself. If the Comfort Access is activated, swiping your foot underneath the rear bumper will also open the boot.
You can open the rear window independently of the tailgate and this makes it easier to load small items when opening the boot cannot be done.
Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have decreased somewhere between ten to fifteen percent across the range when compared with the old Touring.
The 320d features a 135kW/380Nm capability and uses 4.7 litres of diesel per 100km when the combined cycle is used, it reaches 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds.
The 330d, is a more powerful 3.0-litre that generates 190kW/560Nm, hence reaching 100km/h in 5.6 seconds and eating up 5.1L/100km.
The 328i generates 180kW/350Nm, and takes six seconds to reach a hundred km/h, burning through 6.8L/100km combined.
The new Touring series will features almost identical equipments as the sedan range, while also offering the Sport, Luxury, Modern Line and M Sport kits.
