BMW skipped the current G21 3 Series Touring for America. After the F31 3 Series Touring did only OK, sales-wise, BMW didn’t see enough value in bringing the G21 here. However, the American enthusiasm surrounding the M5 Touring might have convinced BMW that there’s enough of a market to bring it back. There are some slightly conflicting reports, so it’s unclear who’s right, but there seems to be a real possibility that we’re getting it.
According to a reliable Bimmerpost source, the next-generation G51 3 Series Touring is headed ‘Stateside and that it’s all but confirmed. However, BMWBlog claims that its sources say it’s more of a 50/50 chance. I’ll take those odds. Damn good odds.
The G51 3 Series Touring will be the gas-powered 3 Series, not the ultra-snazzy Neue Klasse electric model, that’s the i3. That’ll get a wagon body style, too, as the i3 Touring was teased by BMW during its reveal presentation. Whether we get that in America is an entirely different conversation (even if I find it doubtful). Instead, we’re talking about the piston-pushing 3 Series, which will share very similar looks to the i3. I know, it gets a bit confusing, but it’s been a very long time since BMW’s naming structure wasn’t confusing.
If the G51 does make it to our shores, it will likely only come in one variant. That seems to be the BMW way with wagons here, lately. It makes sense, given Americans’ aversion to wagons. There isn’t any word on which variant that will be; the straight-six-powered M350, the four-cylinder-powered 330, or the eventual plug-in hybrid 330e. But, as with most of BMW’s American wagons, it’ll probably be the entry-level 330. That makes the most sense, as wagon buyers tend to be a bit more pragmatic, so the more efficient, less expensive 330 fits the bill better. An M350 Touring would be sweet, though.
Does a 3 Series Touring mean an M3 Touring? That seems likely. BMW already admitted that it’s been considering the next-gen M3 Touring for America, due to how well the M5 Touring was received here, and how well other fast wagons did, like the Audi RS6 Avant and Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo. And if BMW is already going through the trouble of crash-testing the 3 Series Touring, it might as well do the M3, too right?
Nothing is confirmed just yet but two very reliable sources claim that it’s at the very least a very real possibility. And I’ll take that.