• Bigger in all dimensions than previous 3 Series Touring.
• Laps the Nürburgring as quickly as the 3 Series Sedan.
• As much as 1,385 litres of available luggage space.

BMW has released the new Touring version of the E90 3 Series sedan.

The new BMW wagon offers a combination of driving dynamics, safety, passenger comfort and versatility in a car that is larger than its predecessor in every way, yet weighs less.

The 3 Series Touring arrives bearing a nametage that has become something of an icon over the years – 323i.

The 323i Touring shares its 130 kW 2.5-litre inline six-cylinder engine with the now new 323i sedan, introduced onto the Australian market, and fitting between the four-cylinder 320i and the six-cylinder 325i.

The fact that the new 323i Touring is longer and wider than its predecessor translates into more cargo space, an almost-flat load floor and a handy flip-up rear window to allow for the convenient loading of smaller items.

At 4,520 mm it is 42 mm longer than the previous model, 78 mm wider at 1,817 mm, and 9 mm higher, at 1,418 mm. The wheelbase increases by 35 mm to 2,760 mm.

Visually identical to the E90 3 Series Sedan from the A-pillars forward, the Touring has been given a side profile with a tapering rear roofline and strongly defined, upward-tapering shoulder line.

Aerodynamic roof rails, styled to blend in discreetly from the top of the windscreen right through to the D-pillar, add to the practical character.

Underneath, the BMW 323i Touring utilises the same double-joint aluminium front axle as seen in the E90 sedan, plus a five-arm rear axle made from lightweight steel which enhances wheel guidance and ride comfort.

The BMW 323i Touring is powered by the acclaimed free-revving 2.5-litre six-cylinder engine that develops 130 kW at 5,800 rpm and 230 Nm from 3,500 rpm to 5,000 rpm, giving a broad, muscular spread of torque.

Fuel consumption of the BMW 323i Touring is 8.6-litres per 100 km for manual transmission and 9.2-litres per 100 km for automatic transmission.

The magnesium-aluminium alloy six-cylinder engine is mated to a standard six-speed manual gearbox, or optional six-speed Steptronic automatic. In keeping with its expanded duties, the BMW 323i Touring comes with a comprehensive list of standard equipment to ensure it lives up to its demands as personal, or family transport.

Equipment includes Dakota leather upholstery, multi-function leather steering wheel, 16-inch star spoke alloys, roof rails, warning triangle with first-aid kit, retractable front and rear centre armrests, anti-dazzle interior rear view mirror, Titanium Matt interior trim, rear Park Distance Control, fog lights, rain sensor and automatic headlights, automatic climate control with micro filter, cruise control with brake function, Bluetooth interface preparation and AM/FM radio with in-dash CD player.

The interior can be further personalised with a brushed Aluminium finish or fine-wood trim in Poplar Natural grain or Burr Walnut, all of which are no-cost options.

The key to the BMW 323i Touring is its versatile load-carrying capacity. With the rear-seats up, basic luggage capacity has increased 25-litres to 460-litres and, with the 60:40- split rear seat folded, leaving two seats available, total cargo space grows to 1,385-litres.

Importantly, the larger cargo area now features many tie-down points and a luggage cover that retracts automatically when the rear window is opened, making it easier to load items.

The use of runflat tyres means there is extra space under the cargo floor for additional storage compartments. This space is additional to the 460-litres of cargo space above.

The new BMW 323i Touring is the successor to the outgoing 3 Series Touring, which went on sale here in July 2002 as a single 125 kW 2.2-litre, six-cylinder 320i variant. The BMW 323i Touring is now on sale and available with manual or automatic transmission and priced at $68,900 and $71,500 respectively.

Land Rover's All-New Freelander 2
25th June, 2006
The all-new Land Rover Freelander 2, due for release in the UK later this year, redefines the compact premium 4x4 class. New from the ground up, Freelander 2 delivers outstanding on-road performance as well as the class-leading off-road ability of a Land Rover ..... more

Peugeot 307 Hybride HDi Diesel
23rd June, 2006
Peugeot has extended its diesel hybrid technology programme, applying it to the popular, stylish and versatile 307 CC Hybride HDi, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in February ..... more

Mitsubishi 380 Tops Its Class
21st June, 2006
Mitsubishi's sporty and agile 380 sedan has topped its class in the two topics of most interest to today's motorists - safety and economical running - in the last two days ..... more

New Ford Territory Turbo
21st June, 2006
"The Territory turbo range of vehicles continues the innovation and groundbreaking development associated with the original Territory programme," said Ford Australia President, Tom Gorman ..... more

ESP Standard For New Holden VE & WM Sedans
21st June, 2006
The next generation of Australia ’s best selling car, the Holden Commodore, will be the first locally built range with the acclaimed safety technology Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) as standard ..... more

Mazda MX-5 with Retractable Hard Top
21st June, 2006
Mazda Motor Corporation will use the 2006 British International Motor Show for its global reveal of the new Mazda MX-5, now equipped with a power retractable hard top roof ..... more

Holden Astra Diesel Arrives
19th June, 2006
Australia ’s biggest-selling European imported car, the Holden Astra, is now available in two turbocharged diesel five-door hatches ..... more

Audi R10 Diesel Triumphs at Le Mans
19th June, 2006
Audi has written an important chapter in the history of motor racing with its historic triumph in the Le Mans 24 Hour race. The new Audi R10 TDI was the first diesel car to win, arguably, the toughest car race in the world ..... more

Peugeot Announces V12 Diesel for the 908
19th June, 2006
Peugeot has announced its decision to take up a new technological challenge in 2007: to win one of the most prestigious and most demanding motor races in the world, the Le Mans 24 Hours, with a car powered by an diesel engine, equipped with a diesel particulate filter system ..... more

Ford Confirms Mexican Investment
18th June, 2006
Ford confirmed, on Friday 16th June, 2006, an intent to invest in and strengthen its 81-year-old manufacturing presence in Mexico as part of the company’s North American Way Forward plan ..... more

Astra SRi Turbo Roars Back Down Under
16th June, 2006
The new generation of Holden’s four-cylinder performance hero, the Astra SRi Turbo coupe, will roar into Australian showrooms later this month ..... more

Production Begins of New Audi TT Today
14th June, 2006
Audi Hungaria is continuing its success story as the start of production commenced for the second generation Audi TT Coupé ..... more

Suzuki APV Receives Significant Upgrade
12th June, 2006
Suzuki's APV has received an upgrade further contributing to the versatility and appeal of the commercial van, making it an ideal choice for small business ..... more

Changes For Mitsubishi Outlander
12th June, 2006
Mitsubishi's Outlander compact AWD wagon has had some specification revisions as part of its final upgrade before the new model arrives later in the year ..... more

Volkswagen Caddy Life
9th June, 2006
New Caddy Life is the ingenious people mover built on Volkswagen's acclaimed Caddy platform. Caddy Life can seat up to seven adults comfortably with ample headroom ..... more

Ford Delivers a New Way to Escape
8th June, 2006
Ford Australia has pulled back the covers on the new ZC series Escape SUV, boasting fresh exterior styling, a more luxurious and convenient interior package and upgraded powertrains for improved driving quality ..... more

Suzuki's New Grand Vitara Trekker
8th June, 2006
Suzuki Australia has launched an exciting new limited edition Grand Vitara Trekker, which combines stylish design and the vehicle's all round 4 x 4 performance with an extensive list of features as standard ..... more

Kombi Beach
30th May, 2006
The very word 'Kombi' represents, by perception, freedom, style, travel adventures and old-fashioned fun with family and friends ..... more

2007 Range Rover Gets A New V8 Diesel
28th May, 2006
The Range Rover gets an all-new V8 diesel engine and a series of other significant enhancements for the 2007 model year ..... more

Special Edition Falcon Utes Loaded With Value
19th May, 2006
Four special edition Falcon Utes go on sale this month, each loaded with a range of additional features ..... more

Nissan Adds Dual Airbags to Patrol Cab/Chassis Range
12th May, 2006
Nissan will add dual airbags to models in the Patrol Cab Chassis range from October. This additional safety feature upgrades the Patrol Cab Chassis to a specification standard its main competitors can’t match ..... more

Volkswagen TSI Claims International Engine Of The Year Award
11th May, 2006
The new engine concept featuring twin-charging with a supercharger and turbocharger has impressed experts from across the globe: the new 1.4-litre TSI 170 PS engine claimed two accolades at the International Engine of the Year Awards 2006 ..... more

Peugeot 206 - Now From $16,990 (RRP)
9th May, 2006
The Peugeot 206 XR 3-door variant has been added to the range, and at $16,990 (RRP) joins the five door, the 206 XR 5-door, which is priced at $17,990 (RRP) ..... more

The 365-Days-a-Year-Cabriolet - VW Eos
6th May, 2006
After more than one million VW convertibles - Beetle, Karmann Ghia, Golf and New Beetle series - the new Eos takes off to a flying start this month in Germany ..... more

Ford Australia Announces Major New Projects
5th May, 2006
Ford Australia has announced a new strategic direction for the company, including significant investment in new projects and accompanying facilities, totalling more than $1.8 billion (AUD) over the next decade ..... more

Six Speed Auto Boost for 407 HDi Models
1st May, 2006
A new high-tech six speed automatic transmission has been added to the latest Peugeot 407 HDi turbo diesel Sedan and Touring models ..... more

New Line-Up for Land Rover Discovery 3
10th April, 2006
Land Rover is rationalising the Discovery 3 line-up adding as standard, leather interiors and automatic climate control on all models in the new range ..... more

Morgan 4-seater Returns
4th April, 2006
The new Morgan 4-seater models that made their debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2006 are now available for sale in Australia ..... more

Holden Unleashes Thunder Ute and Crewman
30th March, 2006
Holden’s ever-popular light commercial range now features special edition “Thunder” models for Ute and Crewman ..... more

Precious Metal - The Peugeot 407 Coupe
7th March, 2006
Peugeot have announced the pricing structure for the stunning new 407 Coupe, which goes on sale in Australia later this month ..... more