The First Ever BMW M3 Competition Touring

• It’s finally real!

• It will only be offered in maximum firepower Competition xDrive guise.

• The M3 Touring is a 503-horsepower family hauler.

It’s like learning that Santa Claus is real. It’s nothing short of a dream come true, at least for some. Over its seven generations, the BMW M3 (and M4) has been available in a few body styles but this is the first M3 station wagon ever. And it’s damn glorious!

The lowdown on the M3 Touring is that, unlike the sedan, it will only be offered in top-spec. This means no manual transmission with rear-wheel drive. That’s the only bad news. Everything else about the M3 wagon is to die for.

As a Competition, the long-boy will feature the twin-power turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-6-cylinder engine which produces 503 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft. of torque. With the included M xDrive AWD system and the standard 8-speed M Steptronic transmission, the M3 long roof fires from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.6 seconds, and the sprint from 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) requires just 12.9 seconds.

While AWD is part of the package, the M xDrive system’s rear-biased tuning will allow, when switching off DSC, permit access to a 2WD drive mode. Hooning with the M3 wagon will be a thing. Like the M3 sedan, the estate’s chassis will strike an ideal balance between the long-distance cruiser and Nürburgring apex-clipper. The included adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers will see to it.

Like the sedan, the Touring will feature all the latest tech gadgets from the 12.3-inch information display and 14.9-inch central touchscreen display. Front passengers will be privy to electrically adjustable Merino leather-covered M Sport seats while the rear occupants will be busy hanging on – at least they’ll be three across supporting each other. And because this is a real station wagon, it’s got a good-sized boot.

Visually, it’s stunning. Plain and simple. To note, all M3 Tourings will feature a black high-gloss roof, black rails, and a black spoiler. If that’s inconvenient, it can be painted to match the body colour.

The new 2023 BMW M3 Competition Touring officially debuts at this week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Orders open in September 2022, and production at BMW Group Plant Munich begins in November 2022. If you live on the wrong side of the Pond, as we do, you won’t get one.