Some time ago, over a year and a half, BMW announced that it would be introducing a stationwagon version of its performance sedan, the M3. Since then there have been countless spy pics, even some released by BMW. This week the BMW M3 Touring prototype was spotted testing in the Arctic Circle.

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In the making

This new touring will be the very first time an M3 badge will be placed on the tailgate of a production version. BMW has toyed with the idea before. M Division previously created a one-off M3 wagon based on the E46 Series (grey car pictured above). One avid fan even created his own M3 on the previous-gen M3 (watch it drag race a C63 Estate at this link).

Check out all of BMW’s M3 Concept cars by clicking here.

No secret

Although the BMW M3 Touring prototype may wear camouflage, we have a pretty good idea of what the finished product will look like, including the contentious kidney grilles. There will be flared wheel arches front and rear housing M-specific alloys, model-specific wing mirrors, a quartet of exhaust tips and a roof-mounted spoiler. It is reported that the M3 Touring will be introduced at the same time as the midlife facelift of the 3 Series, which explains why it was recently spied with a new dashboard treatment. 

Do you think this Vorsteiner kit improves the M3’s appearance?

Under the bonnet will be the same twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. In Competition guise it will be good for 375 kW and 650 N.m of torque. Drive will be channeled to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. This is the same powertrain as the M4 Competition we reviewed in this video. Incidentally, as part of BMW M Division’s 50th anniversary the company is rumoured to be working on a lightweight M4 Coupe that will carry the famed CSL badge, as you can read here. For now, watch and listen to the BMW M3 Touring prototype as it slip slides its way around the ice.