The BMW M3 Touring is still in the early stage of an approximate two-year development process. We may not see it until 2023, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t already rumours about it. BMW Blog says its sources have detailed the estate’s powertrain, and it’s not flattering news if you’re an enthusiast, though it makes sense. There won’t be a manual, and the engine will power all four wheels.

The M3 Touring, which isn’t heading to the US, will be tailored to European sensibilities. That means BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system and the automatic transmission will be standard equipment, and the German automaker isn’t giving buyers a choice. It’s wrapping those parts up in the high-powered Competition spec. The M3 Competition sedan is also only available with AWD and the automatic.

Gallery: BMW M3 Touring Renderings

Like the saloon, the Touring will use the same twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine. It’ll make 503 bhp (375 kilowatts) and 479 pound-feet (650 Newton-metres) of torque. The mill can propel the Comp model to 60 miles per hour (96 kilometres per hour) in 3.8 seconds. The Touring’s top speed should match the saloon – 155 mph (250 kph). BMW could offer the optimal M Driver’s package that’d up it to 180 mph (290 kph).

For now, these are just rumours, though they seem entirely plausible considering BMW Just revealed the 2021 M3 and M4. BMW is already out testing it, too, with spy photos showing the estate looking like what we’d expect. It shares its face and rear with the M3 saloon – it just has a longer roof to accommodate the rear hatch and cargo area, which are all present in the new renderings above by Tobias Hornof. While it’ll be exciting to have an official BMW M3 Touring model finally – the automaker has never made one – it doesn’t sound like it’ll be much of a surprise when it does arrive.