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The success of long-roof versions of BMW M cars has surprised the division's CEO, as the body style fades in popularity across the broader car market.
The success of BMW's M3 and M5 Touring models has come from left field, admitted BMW M CEO Frank van Meel, as customer interest in traditional car-based wagons continues to wane in favour of SUVs.
"A little bit [surprised], yes," van Meel told Australian media when asked if he has been surprised by demand for Touring models.
"Because over the past decades, every time we asked, 'do you want a Touring model?', the answer was always 'no, we don't want that in our market. We are an SUV market, or we are a sedan market'."
BMW M currently offers two car-based wagons in performance specification, the M3 Touring and M5 Touring.
The demand for traditional wagons has steadily faded away over the past two decades, with the market shifting focus toward SUVs and leaving less than 20 different wagons on sale in Australia.
Still, sales of performance BMW Touring models seem to be holding strong, with the German marque reporting 270 M3 Tourings and 53 M5 Tourings sold locally last year.
Those numbers represent 38 per cent of all M3 sales, and 35 per cent of all M5 sales.
However, van Meel believes the desire for go-fast wagons comes more from the performance aspect, rather than the shape.
“I think with M, it's more than just a Touring. It's something really special, it's more or less a race car disguised as a Touring, but offering also all the practicality that the Touring has because it's an everyday use,” van Meel said.
Furthermore, the M CEO hinted at an expansion of high-performance Tourings to future model generations.
“The Touring demand is now increasing, and we're really happy with that. We'll see where that leads us in the future as well,” van Meel said.
The company has released radical concepts hinting at more practical models, including a 'shooting brake' version of the now-defunct Z4 roadster.
The next-generation M3, due to be revealed early next year, is reportedly planned to offer a Touring option in electric guise.
Zane Dobie comes from a background of motorcycle journalism, working for notable titles such as Australian Motorcycle News Magazine, Just Bikes and BikeReview. Despite his fresh age, Zane brings a lifetime of racing and hands-on experience. His passion now resides on four wheels as an avid car collector, restorer, drift car pilot and weekend go-kart racer.
