BMW has spruced up the 3 Series, but you’d need a keen eye to spot the changes. The aesthetic tweaks include new aprons at both ends and a fresh duo of paint options: Arctic Race Blue and Fire Red metallic, adding a splash of colour to the lineup.

Rolling on either 19-inch M light-alloy wheels in Jet Black or a bi-colour finish, the car’s stance is much sportier.

Slide into the cabin, whether it be the sedan or wagon, and you’re greeted by a newly designed sports leather steering wheel.

Opt for the M Sport package, and you get an even sleeker M leather steering wheel, complete with a flat-bottomed rim and a subtle centre marking at the 12 o’clock position, glowing with illuminated multifunction buttons and gearshift paddles.

The cockpit is quite the command centre with updated air-conditioning controls and cascade lighting integrated around the central seam vents, now a standard feature. Tech-wise, the 12.3-inch information display and 10.25-inch infotainment screen now come with BMW’s latest Operating System 8.5.

The BMW 3 Series Touring packs functionality with standard features like automatic tailgate operation and a versatile 40:20:40 split/folding rear seat backrest – optional in the sedan. 

And it’s not just cosmetic changes; the suspension has been fine-tuned with stiffer mounts for the rear dampers, enhancing comfort no matter your driving style.

Under the hood, the range starts with the 318i, boasting a 154bhp 2.0-litre engine. The 320i offers 181bhp, while the 330i ramps it up to 241bhp.

For those leaning towards efficiency, the plug-in hybrid 330e, available as both sedan and estate, now features a 19.5kWh high-voltage battery, pushing out 288bhp and reaching an electric-only range of about 100km.

Come July 2024, the new BMW 3 Series Sedan and Touring models will roll off the assembly lines in Munich, with additional production in San Luis Potosi, Mexico for the sedan, and in Shenyang for the Chinese market by the BMW Brilliance Automotive joint venture.

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV and on TikTok!

Those of us who prefer estates aka station wagons can rejoice, for BMW has recently launched its second model in Singapore – the 3 Series Touring.

Let’s face it, estates are just more practical than their sedan counterparts, and not everyone wants to own a sports utility vehicle (SUV) AHEM! I mean Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) in BMW-speak.

“The 3 Series has always been a pioneer in its field with a modern and unmistakable design. Today, we are revitalising the core of the BMW brand with this new body variant. Driving aficionados have been eagerly waiting for such a versatile model to come to the Lion City, and we are finally able to deliver! The 3 Series Touring blends versatility and innovative technologies for a sporty and confident look, that I’m confident will appeal to all drivers. As for all new BMW owners, the 3 Series Touring comes with BMW Service Inclusive Plus for 5 years and an extended warranty for 5 years or 200,000km, so our customers know that BMW cares and we are with them every step of the way,” Mr. Lars Nielsen, Managing Director of BMW Asia said at the launch.

Space is definitely not lacking in this estate. With a wheelbase of 2,851mm, legroom is pretty good. Adaptive LED headlights come standard fit, as do the 18-inch double spoke rims in staggered-tyre configuration. The M Sport Pro package that’s seen here is standard fitment for the 3 Series Touring in Singapore, and that includes larger M Sport brakes with blue callipers, M Sport suspension with a sportier spring and damper setup, and variable sport steering.

Underhood, we find BMW’s TwinPower Turbo two-litre inline four-cylinder powerplant which sends 245hp and 400Nm of torque to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. One needn’t worry about an underpowered Bimmer here.

However, the REAL reason we’re reading this article can be found round back. Pop open that tailgate to reveal 500-litres of luggage-lugging capacity.

Interesting to note, also, that if one just needs to toss some smaller items in the boot, the rear windscreen can be opened upwards for just that purpose.

The rear seatbacks fold down in a 40:20:40 split, and 1,510-litres of Ikea- and Giant-friendliness is liberated with them all dropped.

The interior of the 3 Series Touring is what we’ve come to expect and love from BMW – a driver-focused cockpit. Being a BMW, technology abounds with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Parking Assistant, Reversing Assistant and Driving Assistant, to name a few.

Comfort Access also features here, with one being able to lock and unlock the door when leaving and approaching the car, or even via a smartphone via the My BMW app, which allows the driver to monitor the vehicle’s status at any time with readouts for current fuel level, individual tyre pressures, etc.

BMW ConnectedDrive Upgrades function will enable the infotainment to remain up-to-date with improvements to vehicle functions and new services.

Few manufacturers offer estates in their line-up, and we’re glad that the BMW 3 Series Touring exists, even at $368,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article.)

Here’s a Teutonic breath of fresh air for those of us who demand more practicality than sedans can offer, but don’t want to own SUVs and SAVs. Wagons for life!

Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on Ignition Labs TV!