From the September 2023 concern of Automotive and Driver.

Cocktail and rumaki-loaded plate in hand, I return to my spouse’s facet simply in time to listen to her model of latest occasions: We received married, and I immediately turned Clark Griswold. I enter the dialog simply earlier than half of our group, BMW race-car driver Bruno Spengler and his spouse, share their station-wagon story.

Let’s begin with my model: Lower than 24 hours after saying “I do,” we had been on a 767 to Munich. A Frozen Pure Gray M3 Competitors Touring awaited our arrival. Touring is BMW-speak for wagon, and the M3 is the bossiest of Boss Wagons. To my spouse, who grew up driving in after which driving a grey Volvo 740 wagon, a station wagon did not sound like an thrilling car for a honeymoon trek over the Alps and to the Italian Riviera.

Boss Wagons are a C/D factor. Since 1966, we have reworked grocery getters into pink-slip betters—a turbo-diesel Benz, a 383 Plymouth, a Volvo. BMW did the heavy lifting on the M3 Touring, no meeting required.

Again to her: She pulls out her cellphone and swipes by seashore photographs in Camogli, smiling selfies, and canine pics till she lands on it. She fingers the cellphone to Bruno’s spouse, and from over her shoulder Bruno shrieks, “The M3 Touring! I’ve that actual automotive! Frozen Gray!” My beloved has misplaced the room.

Unhealthy information: If you happen to dwell in North America, you may’t purchase one. BMW of North America might’ve imported the current-gen 3-series wagon however handed because of inadequate curiosity. Meaning no M3 wagon for us.

Again to her: What is the take care of Europeans? Barreling down the autostrada, idling in entrance of our resort, or stopping for gasoline, espresso, or purple lights, the wagon drew fixed admiration and approval. Bruno once more: “It is an M3!”

I do not blame the lookie-loos. There’s by no means been an M3 wagon earlier than, and laying eyes on its fender-flared physique for the primary time prompts a more in-depth look. She is correct, although—the eye is surprising. However I feel I perceive it. The curiosity says: I am within the know on this complete performance-wagon factor. I see the world the identical approach you do. I too get pleasure from oxymorons. I get jokes.

The Spenglers share their story: Bruno stunned Mrs. Spengler with the wagon. She wasn’t instantly wowed by it, however then incredulousness gave technique to admiration. “Now she needs to drive it on a regular basis,” provides Bruno.

We sailed again to Munich by closely enforced Switzerland. Finally, Germany welcomed again one among its personal. The M3 reciprocated by displaying the autobahn’s limitless zones within the instrument cluster, even counting all the way down to the unrestricted sections: 500 meters, 300, 100, go! And the nostril is sensible to me now—simply ugly sufficient to scare site visitors out of the left lane if you’re closing in at 165 mph.

Though America misplaced out on the M3 Touring, BMW is deciding whether or not to import the upcoming M5 Touring. If you happen to’re , inform your BMW supplier you need a Boss Wagon.

Editor-in-Chief

Tony Quiroga is an 18-year-veteran Automotive and Driver editor, author, and automotive reviewer and the nineteenth editor-in-chief for the journal since its founding in 1955. He has subscribed to Automotive and Driver since age six. “Rising up, I learn each concern of Automotive and Driver cowl to cowl, generally three or extra occasions. It is the place I wished to work since I might learn,” Quiroga says. He moved from Car Journal to an affiliate editor place at Automotive and Driver in 2004. Through the years, he has held almost each editorial place in print and digital, edited a number of particular points, and likewise helped produce C/D’s early YouTube efforts. He’s additionally the longest-tenured take a look at driver for Lightning Lap, having lapped Virginia Worldwide Raceway’s Grand Course greater than 2000 occasions over 12 years.