We’ve hear some rumors that BMW M might just be considering the possibility of a G81 BMW M3 Touring. Admittedly, these are rumors that BMW is considering it, not that there are any concrete plans for such a thing. To be honest, rumors of this kind shouldn’t come as any surprise, as BMW M considers all things, with each new model.
However, when asked whether or not an M3 Touring might be on the way, BMW M CEO Markus Flasch simply shrugged, which isn’t exactly a denial.
In a recent Instagram story, Flasch was taking questions and answering them all with either a photo or quick clip of him answering. One such question was about whether or not a BMW M3 Touring is in the works.
To that, Flasch responded by just standing, with a bit of a shrug and a curious face, behind a G80 BMW M3 with its trunk open. No clear denial and a face that sort of cheekily hints at the possibility of such a car.
Photo: Instagram
Obviously, this isn’t an admission, either. Flash is in no way saying a BMW M3 Touring is on the way. Still, it’s interesting to not get a clear denial from him right after we’ve heard rumors of an M3 Touring being discussed among the brass at BMW M.
What’s also interesting to me is that, having interviewed Flasch a few times and having several discussions with him, he’s not the sort of man to mince words. Flasch is up front, direct and honest and has been that way in every interview we’ve done with him. If something isn’t happening, he says it isn’t. If he can’t discuss it, he’ll say so. Typically, he’s not one to play games. So to have him give a sort of tongue-in-cheek shrug to the notion of an M3 Touring being made might actually be worth noting.
There’s also the possibility that this is about an M5 Touring, considering that such a car was also mentioned in the Instagram question. However, we’ve heard nothing about a potential M5 Touring, so we’re going to say that the M3 Touring is the real focus of the answer this question.
Or maybe Flasch is just messing with all of us, which is also entirely possible. Again, he’s never been one to mess around with us that doesn’t mean he’s incapable of playing a bit of a joke on all of us enthusiasts. He could very much be stirring the pot a bit among fans, just for a laugh.
However, just a gut feeling, we don’t think this is a joke. We think that BMW M is having real discussions about developing a BMW M3 Touring. We don’t think a decision has been made one way or another, which is why Flasch was hesitant to definitively say yes or no and why he didn’t.
We’re not going to confidently say that an M3 Touring will happen and, honestly, we’re not overly optimistic. Still, the idea of such a car genuinely being considered is incredibly exciting.
Maybe that face is “why are you wasting time even asking that when you already know we won’t”
Not so sure this time around…This article is not based on speculations
Seems based entirely on speculation, off of a single ambiguous picture no less.
When do you know us to speculate without basis? Shaking my head.
Good point. Lost on the occasional reader here.
Even as an occasional, reader, you should know our reputation. And how well connected we are. Hence why many use us a news source.
in the current situation, you really think BMW can afford a M touring ?
Even before Covid19 they were already cutting down costs
The research for M3 touring started a while back.
I’m calling him out he doesn’t have the balls to do a proper M3 Touring. Up to the F80 i would have wanted one but not a beaver faced automatic awd suv drivetrain M3.
It’s not about courage. It’s about market research and a solid business case. Making a car is not cheap
Of course it is. Halo cars are never built because they pay off. Volume models do and this is where the bean counter should work.
Besides that: RS4 and C63 T AMG
And at last Henry Ford on ansking customers… faster horses.
Bmw internal researches and analyses have shown that there is a global market for the M3 Touring but only with normal kidney grill.
Unfortunately this is the trumpiest fake news since donald j trump. you should sniff a lot less bleach and hydroxychloroquine!
I also agree that it is not entirely up to Flasch.
There’s a higher chance that Flasch gets approval for three overlapping M crossover/SAVs than a touring.
Starting from the majority shareholders (i.e. Quandts) the directive to the Board of Management has squarely been profit, profit, profit, —-> dividends.
There’s no existential spirit to preserving the brand lineage at BMW. The corporate mission has been sell anything that the market will fork over money to buy, doesn’t matter who it is or how much it bastardizes the core brand values.
The mission is justified as “progressive change” to “keep up with the times”.
Really True DM… the cars really does not matter, what matter to this world is money… earning money
and that they do very well… See since Corona hit € 40 bucks the stock, now increased to 50 € or 10 more
so Quandts are smiling… they shares are getting passive value again ,… https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a9326b62b86c579d5ecd2db09fc8788fbfaa4a876fc57c0867a08c008689b6ca.jpg