It was always going to take something special to upstage the all-new BMW M4 CSL - a car we’ve spent decades patiently waiting for. But the wait for an estate version of the M3 has been longer. We’ve even forgiven BMW for its interminable build-up to the car’s official unveiling; that’s how excited we are about the ‘distillation of the technological prowess and know-how from the BMW M3 and M4 family, combined with the practicality of a five-door touring model’. You see? Not even a BMW press release can defuse the craving.
And now at last, we have a date. And a time. And, yes, a location. BMW has confirmed that the first-ever M3 Touring will get its world premiere at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed - specifically at 10am on Thursday 23rd. This its exceptionally good not just because it’s obviously the perfect setting, but also because it means that thousands (and thousands) of UK-based enthusiasts (mostly PHers) will be able to see the car in the flesh ahead of everyone else. Who knows - the sight of the new rear end might persuade some people to forgive the M3’s much more contentious front…
If that doesn’t work, there’s always the new CSL to consider. That will be at Goodwood, too, for its UK public debut. Both cars will be running up the hill every day of the Festival in the ‘First Glance’ category. If that weren’t already enough, BMW has said it will also show a ‘high-performance’ M3 Touring with various Performance Parts fitted. Oh yes, and it gets better still - there’s the small matter of M GmbH’s 50th anniversary to consider, a milestone celebrated not just by the ‘Central Feature’ showcasing iconic models and an expansive BMW M at Trackside stand, but also a whole heap of historic cars running up the hill all weekend.
“There can be no better place to celebrate our 50th anniversary than among our fans at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, surrounded by the iconic cars that have cemented our position in motorsport history,” noted Frank van Meel, CEO of BMW M. “But we’ll also spend our time at the world-famous event looking to the future, with a selection of exciting new models from our innovative electrified line-up, and the global premiere of the eagerly- anticipated first-ever BMW M3 Touring.” Consider us primed, Frank.