Hard on the heels of the 2006 3-Series sedan from BMW Canada comes the station wagon or Touring model, which will be larger, more powerful, better handling, more comfortable and more versatile than the model it replaces.
When the wagon arrives this October, it will come only as the 325xi Touring, and BMW Canada's Kevin Marcotte says there are no current plans to bring in any other variants.
That means it's an all-wheel-drive model powered by the 3-litre inline-six engine that also propels the 330i sedan, but it doesn't mean the 325ix gets the 330i's 255 hp at 6,600 rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque from 2,500 to 4,000 rpm. The engine has instead been tuned to give the 325ix 215 hp at 6250 rpm and 185 lb-ft of torque at 2750 rpm, sending power to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic.
In the world beyond North America, by the way, the 325ix is actually powered by a 2.5-litre engine, but its power levels were deemed to be too low for Canadian and American tastes.
The 325ixT for 2006 will be 4,520 mm long on a 2,760-mm wheelbase, 1,817-mm wide, and 1,422-mm high. That makes the car notably longer and wider than the model it replaces (it was 4,478-mm long and 1,740-mm wide) on a longer wheelbase (it was 2,725 mm) but slightly shorter (it was 1,430 mm high).
As for pricing, all Marcotte would say was that consumers should "expect a relative premium for xDrive and Touring variant over the $39,900 base price of 325i sedan, as is the case with the 530xi Touring ($72,400) over 530i sedan ($67,400)." So maybe not $44,900, but something close.
Beyond those numbers owners are supposed to find a car that adds "maximum flexibility and versatility" to the 3-Series "unique balance of elegance, dynamics and compact dimensions."
All of those are subjective appraisals, of course, though the greater dimensions make it more difficult to see it as a "compact" car.
Overall, the 325ixT is supposed to meet "virtually every transport requirement in everyday use. So it is fair to say that this is the most versatile 3-Series there has ever been."
For the most part, the greater versatility comes from the fact that the 325ixT is bigger inside than the model it replaces and can therefore accommodate more gear. To help that along, it should be noted, there is no spare since the 325ixT uses run-flat tyres.
Measuring the loading area up to the upper edge of the backrest, capacity is up over the previous models by 25 litres to 460 litres, says BMW, and by folding down the back of the second seat increases the cargo space to 1,385 litres, which is 40 litres more than in the former model.
There is also a storage space beneath the luggage compartment floor, which may be turned around and used on both sides, "the rear side coming in a washable, hard-wearing surface film covering the bottom of the luggage compartment and extending out when required over the rear bumper."
When the wagon arrives this October, it will come only as the 325xi Touring, and BMW Canada's Kevin Marcotte says there are no current plans to bring in any other variants.
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| 2006 BMW 3-Series (photo: BMW AG) |
In the world beyond North America, by the way, the 325ix is actually powered by a 2.5-litre engine, but its power levels were deemed to be too low for Canadian and American tastes.
The 325ixT for 2006 will be 4,520 mm long on a 2,760-mm wheelbase, 1,817-mm wide, and 1,422-mm high. That makes the car notably longer and wider than the model it replaces (it was 4,478-mm long and 1,740-mm wide) on a longer wheelbase (it was 2,725 mm) but slightly shorter (it was 1,430 mm high).
As for pricing, all Marcotte would say was that consumers should "expect a relative premium for xDrive and Touring variant over the $39,900 base price of 325i sedan, as is the case with the 530xi Touring ($72,400) over 530i sedan ($67,400)." So maybe not $44,900, but something close.
 |
| 2006 BMW 3-Series (photo: BMW AG) |
All of those are subjective appraisals, of course, though the greater dimensions make it more difficult to see it as a "compact" car.
Overall, the 325ixT is supposed to meet "virtually every transport requirement in everyday use. So it is fair to say that this is the most versatile 3-Series there has ever been."
For the most part, the greater versatility comes from the fact that the 325ixT is bigger inside than the model it replaces and can therefore accommodate more gear. To help that along, it should be noted, there is no spare since the 325ixT uses run-flat tyres.
Measuring the loading area up to the upper edge of the backrest, capacity is up over the previous models by 25 litres to 460 litres, says BMW, and by folding down the back of the second seat increases the cargo space to 1,385 litres, which is 40 litres more than in the former model.
There is also a storage space beneath the luggage compartment floor, which may be turned around and used on both sides, "the rear side coming in a washable, hard-wearing surface film covering the bottom of the luggage compartment and extending out when required over the rear bumper."