2013 BMW 3 Series Touring arrives

2013 BMW 3 Series Touring

The car that makes BMW’s finances tick is the 3 Series, and we got an all new BMW 3 Series saloon last year so BMW could continue to dominate the sector it has owned for so long.

Now we get treated to the load-lugging 3 Series in the guise of the 2013 BMW 3 Series Touring which is, in all the ways that matters, the new 3 Series with a small shed on the back.

So you get all the 2012 3 Series pluses like more room and less weight and RWD but you also get some clever load-lugging extras with the Touring.

BMW has included lots of ways to tie down your ‘stuff’ like luggage net, deep storage compartment, under-boot storage and load cover.

The boot is electrically controlled – either from the key fob, a switch on the A Pillar or in the boot – and can be opened (just like the new Ford Kuga) with a waft of a foot under the bumper. The tailgate will also split open, with a button on the wiper arm opening just the glass area so you simply lob in small stuff.

You can also opt for a Storage Package which adds a net on the left of the storage area, a reversible floor section with a protective coating on one side (perfect for dogs and tip trips) and plug-in elements to divide up the load area.

Engines at launch will be the 328i Touring with 245hp, 0-62mph in 6.0 seconds and 41.5mpg; 320d Touring with 184hp, 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds and 60.1mpg and, probably the pick for now, 330d Touring with 258hp, 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds and 55.4mpg.

Those impressive economy figures also mean decent CO2 emissions for sensible VED and BIK rates, with the 328i at 159g/km, the 320d at 124g/km and the 330d at 135g/km.

Later on in the year there will also be a 320i, 316d and 318d added to the range and, we expect, 4WD options in due course.

2013 BMW 3 Series Touring Photos

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2013 BMW 3 Series Touring Price & Specs