Bmw 3-series Touring – Hybrid, sportier design and a focus on driving, what´s not to like?
When a new 3-series is released, a Touring will follow. That’s the law, and with the impressive new 3-series there is much to be expected from the 3-series Touring.
The recipe is simple, but still well produced by Bmw. Taking all that is great from the sedan, and adding heaps of space. And bigger it is! The new Touring is 4,706 mm long, 1,827 mm wide and 1,470 mm high, meaning that compared to its predecessor, the Touring is bigger in all areas. The wheelbase is even increased with 41 mm. For you people loving numbers, the new 3-series Touring has got you covered.
A rather Volvo v90 esque rear with an angled rear roof, thin and stylish lights both rear and front and a large overhang over the rear wheels gives the car a unique look. The rear side window, which you can use to see your groceries, is swooped upwards, together with the rather thick rear arches gives the Touring meaty characteristics. The proportions are never wrong however, and in the basic 320i, the car flies under the radar without being boring.
I could write an entire column regarding the interior dimensions, but in short, this is what is changed. The luggage space is a tiny bit bigger (500 L). The design is the same as in the sedan, which is no surprise, but it also bares quite a resemblance to the new 1-series. Nothing bad here, I am just curious of how usable the heat controls in the center console are. The big infotainment screen takes the majority of the focus, but it is integrated well with the rest of the interior. The general design is however as old as I can remember, even though the technology and updates are as good as ever. The fun thing is that the instrument cluster is a huge 12,3 inch-screen compared to the 10,25 inch center screen. The safety is as mentioned before very much updated, but nothing that stands out compared to the competition. Bmw says that they are on their way towards automated driving.
Compared to the old generation, the new 3-series Touring has a stiffer chassis, low center of gravity and 50:50 weight distribution. All this bodes well for the performance. Especially the new M340i xDrive model which has a lower ride height with stiffer springs and dampers. You also get sport steering, bigger, four piston, brakes and with the xDrive, a sport differential. This model will get a inline six cylinder engine with 374 hp and a claimed 7,1 L/100 km. Don’t forget the torque though. 500 Nm of them!
Other, very capable and fuel efficient engines exist. Three petrol engines with the 320i, 330i and M340i, and three diesel engines, 318d, 320d and 330d xDrive. To be franc, every engines suits a particular need and there is no certain engine that is a direct go to other than the entry level 318d.
The more interesting engine option is the 330e, meaning hybrid, which has the same engine from the 320i, but is paired with an electric engine to give a total power output of 252 hp. If you use the XtraBoost option you get 40 hp of extra power during a short time. The claimed consumption is 18 – 23 L/100 km. Very low. But being a 330e, the car will be nowhere near affordable compared to the 330i. Electric engines are not cheap. It should also be noted that the 330e is a charge hybrid, meaning a slightly bigger battery and 63 km of pure electric range.
The car will be premiered in München during BMW WELT, 25-27 June, and the car will be available for the market at 28 of September. The price will be from 32 000 euros in the 320d Touring and up to 48 000 euros in the 330d xDrive Touring. I am sure the M340i xDrive and the 330e Touring will be much more expensive.