2023 BMW 3 Series Touring Spy Shots: Updated Wagon Spotted

BMW plans to update the 3 Series soon, and the latest spy shots show a prototype of the touring wagon body style being offered overseas.

The current seventh generation of the 3 Series was introduced in 2018 as a 2019 model. An updated version, meaning a mid-cycle refresh, should arrive in 2022 as the 2023 model. Sadly, the wagon body style will not be returning to the area.

Only mild changes to the 3 Series exterior are planned for this refresh. Along with a new grille and new front and rear fascias, note the small tweaks to the interior of the lights.

On the interior, BMW is expected to introduce the latest version of its iDrive infotainment system. The latest system, version 8.0, features a larger screen, and the 3 Series dashboard will have a floating digital instrument cluster like BMW's latest models such as the iX, i4, and 2 Series Active Tourer, and an infotainment screens may be employed.

It is not clear what the 3 Series powertrain lineup will look like. The base option in the U.S. should remain a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 with about 248 hp. On top of that should be a 3.0-liter inline-six turbo with about 382 hp, this time with a mild hybrid system that can temporarily add 11 hp. Both powertrains will be available in the updated 2022 X3.

A battery-powered 3 Series is also in the planning stages and is confirmed to be given the i3 badge in the future. Now that the i3 electric car has been discontinued, this badge will be free of charge. This means that it will have an 83.9 kilowatt-hour battery and a maximum range approaching 300 miles. This special option will likely only be available in the sedan body style.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that the updated 3 Series wagon will get the M3 treatment. A hot long-roof prototype is also being tested; the M3 sedan will be powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder that delivers 473 hp in standard form and 503 hp in the M3 Competition version. The M3 wagon will most likely be available only in the Competition version. 8-speed M3 sedan with automatic and all-wheel drive system of the M3 sedan will likely be standard equipment on the wagon as well.

Updates will be released as development progresses.