BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon: First Look
- Competes with: Audi A4 Avant, Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon
- Looks like: BMW is filling out the 3 Series lineup
- Drivetrain: Unknown
- Hits dealerships: Spring 2013
Now that the redesigned 2012 BMW 3 Series sedan is on sale, the German automaker is preparing to launch the many derivative body styles that accompany the carmaker’s top-selling nameplate. The first is the station wagon; we’re still awaiting details on the coupe and convertible.
Besides the liftgate and the extended roofline, not much has changed in the looks department compared with the redesigned sedan. Even most of the rear-end styling, including the taillights and bumper, look unchanged. What has changed is the rear cargo space: The new Sports Wagon has nearly 10% more room than the previous Sports Wagon, BMW says. The cargo area includes a separate partition net with four tie-down hooks, a pair of coat hooks and an extra 12-volt outlet.
Other wagon-only additions include roof rails and a power liftgate option, which is new to the model. Like in the current model, the window on the liftgate can be opened independently of the hatch, allowing quick and easy access to the cargo area in tight parking situations. A panoramic roof is also available. Like in the 3 Series sedan, the rear seat splits 40/20/40.
BMW hasn’t announced what powertrain (or powertrains) will accompany the Sports Wagon. The current model comes with a 230-horsepower, 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder, which was recently replaced by a turbocharged four-cylinder in the 2012 BMW sedan. We expect the new inline-four to show up in this model, too.
Like the sedan, the 3 Series Sports Wagon will be available in Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line trims. Pricing, specifications and feature availability will be announced later, according to BMW. The 3 Series Sports Wagon will come to the U.S. in spring 2013.
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