BMW M3 Touring could be AWD only

BMW has released fresh images of the forthcoming 2022 BMW M3 Touring, teasing the first-ever M3 wagon alongside key details that hint more at the model’s specs – including an apparent auto-only, all-wheel drive layout.

We already know the first high-performance BMW M3 wagon will come with the M3 and M4’s controversial big-mouth front grille and potent 375kW/650Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six engine in Competition trim.

However, official fuel economy and emissions data suggests the wagon-bodied M3 will employ a suitably M-fettled version of BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system combined with the eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.

According to the Bavarian car-maker’s social media post, the new BMW M3 Touring will consume 10.3L/100km (WLTP) on the official combined-cycle test, which is equivalent to 235g/km of CO2.

While these are preliminary figures, they’re almost on par with the all-wheel drive BMW M3 Competition xDrive sedan’s 10.1L/100km claim.

And the difference between sedan and wagon is expected to be 0.2L/100km – as demonstrated by the 8.2 versus 8.4L/100km figures respectively for the M340i xDrive models.

While sedan-bodied M3s can be optioned with a six-speed manual transmission, the latest details suggest it’ll be an auto-only affair for the wagon.

It’s also now possible that rear-wheel drive options will not be available at launch. Still shown here in camouflage before its official unveiling, the first BMW M3 Touring is expected to go into European production late this year, bringing a Bavarian competitor to rivals such as the Audi RS 4 Avant and Mercedes-AMG C 63 Estate.