While the world stood still to welcome BMW’s M3 Touring at the tail end of last year, it remains a fact that cars like these derived from the M brigade still garner niche appeal. What if BMW retains the wagon styling and slaps on a less potent motor? Granted, other markets have seen introductions of the 320d and M340i Touring, but when BMW Singapore announced that the 330i Touring will make its way here, we were slightly surprised (in a good way) given most markets’ tendency to favour crossovers, SUVs and even sedans over wagons.

The 330i Touring will be equipped with a M Sport Pro package as standard. That means M high-gloss Shadowline trim and kidney grilles will be in black. M Sport brakes including blue-painted calipers with the M inscription will also be standard fitment. A large rear diffuser and black chrome tailpipes complete the M Sport transformation on the exterior.

While BMW’s latest Operating System 8 (OS8) dominates the interior, it is the M inscriptions that remind you that this is no regular Touring. A M leather steering wheel, M-specific seat surfaces and interior trim strips in aluminium mesh effect does make it look more premium, with a tinge of sportiness.

It offers a 500-litre luggage compartment with all seats up. Up to 1,510 litres of stowage can be “activated” should the family require it to do all the heavy lifting.

There’s effectively not many competitors in this category in the local market, unless you’re open to secure the 5 Series Touring (520i) via parallel importers. That’s still based on another (plus-sized) segment despite its wagon roots, so you can be assured that the 330i Touring will serve the needs of those only looking at this more compact, low slung estate form factor.

Its 2.0-litre inline 4 turbocharged motor manages 245bhp and 400Nm. An 8-speed transmission drives the rear axles and it achieves a 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.1 seconds.

In Singapore, the BMW 3 Series Touring is fitted with the M Sport suspension paired with variable sport steering. This offers a sportier spring/damper set up compared to the base system. 13km/l on the combined cycle is possible according to BMW, if you’re extremely gentle on the throttle.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will come as standard, alongside driver assistance features such as Parking Assistant, Reversing Assistant and a Driving Assistant package that sniffs any danger you might encounter via ultrasonic and radar sensors.

At S$368,888, this places the 330i Touring M Sport within striking distance from the M Sport-equipped X3 xDrive30i, although the SUV’s motor is tuned to achieve 241bhp and 350Nm. But as mentioned earlier, there are not many rivals in this segment in the local market, given its load-hauling ability coupled with a lower, sportier and relatively more confidence-inspiring driving position. Can wagons climb the sales charts and (at least) give sedans a run for their money? It’s a tall order, but we’re not discounting this possibility.

---

Selling your car? Whatever the reason, caryousell@carousell, sell your car at the highest price today.