BMW M has confirmed what enthusiasts have been demanding for years: the M3 Touring is coming to America. The G81, which has been available in Europe since 2022, will arrive at U.S. dealerships as a 2027 model year vehicle — and it was worth the wait.
Performance Meets Practicality
Under the hood sits BMW's S58 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six, producing 523 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque in Competition specification. Mated to the 8-speed M Steptronic automatic and M xDrive all-wheel drive, the M3 Touring rockets to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds — while carrying up to 53 cubic feet of cargo with the rear seats folded.
Chassis & Dynamics
The suspension setup is identical to the M3 sedan: adaptive M dampers, an electronically controlled M differential at the rear, and the option to send 100% of power to the rear wheels via the M xDrive system's 2WD mode. On track, the M3 Touring is said to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife within two seconds of the sedan.
The interior mirrors the sedan's driver-focused cockpit, with M carbon bucket seats available as an option. The curved display merges a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 14.9-inch central touchscreen running iDrive 8.
Why It Matters
The M3 Touring fills a gap in the American performance market. While Audi has offered the RS6 Avant for several years, BMW's absence from the segment left enthusiasts cross-shopping or importing. At an expected MSRP around $82,000, it undercuts the RS6 while offering a more focused driving experience.