THERE is supposed to be a move away from estate cars with the arrival of the compact people carriers, but BMW still places a great deal of faith in its Touring versions.

Scheduled to make its debut here in September, the 3 Series Touring is said to be more comfortable, roomier and more economical than its predecessor, and to be a better performer on the road.

There will be two engines available at the launch, a two-litre four cylinder diesel 320d and the new lightweight six cylinder 325i, with 320i, 330i and 330d versions joining the club in the autumn.

The lightweight magnesium-alloy engine is the same as used in the 630i coupe and convertible and recently fitting into the 330i saloon, and is the lightest six-cylinder engine in the world. All the engines are mated to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, but there is an automatic version available as an option.

According to BMW engineers, the 163bhp 320d produces maximum power at 4000rpm and 340Nm of torque at 2000rpm, and completes the 0-62mph dash in 8.6-seconds, and returns 47.9mpg, while the 325i produces 215bhp at 6500rpm with 250Nm of torque between 2750 and 4250rpm, cuts the 0-62mph dash to 7.2-seconds and returns 32.8mpg.

Six-cylinder models have stability and traction control as standard with additional safety features that prime the brakes for faster emergency stops, holds the car on hill starts and also keeps the brakes dry in wet conditions. The four cylinder engine cars are not blessed with the extra safety measures, but still feature stability control.

The rear-wheel drive Touring sits on the same chassis and suspension as the saloon.

The new model is larger than its predecessor both inside and out, meaning more space for the occupants and their luggage: it's 4520mm long, an increase of 42mm, is 1817mm wide (an increase of 78mm) and is 1418mm high (plus nine millimetres). The wheelbase is 2760mm, up by 35mm.

As for being a luggage hauler, the Touring provides for 460 litres with the back seats in place, and 1385-litres with the 60:40 split seats folded, up to a 40-litre increase on the outgoing model.

There are a few practical features that go with the boot area: a split opening tailgate so that small items can be loaded through the window, a special luggage cover that automatically moves to expose the boot area whenever the tailgate or its window is opened, and a useful under-floor storage box. There is also a watertight folding box under the boot floor for mucky items.

Although the new Touring was developed completely separately from the saloon, it is identical from the nose to the front door pillars. From here, the roofline tapers to the boot lid spoiler.

Other features include two Isofix child seat fixings in the back and, as an option, one set on the front passenger seat. Back seat passengers also get rear seat air conditioning. Finally, an optional sunroof is available, a Panorama version providing 60 per cent more light than a conventional sunroof.

Dealers: Castle BMW, Berkeley Park, Clifton Moorgate, York (phone 01904 693313); Malton BMW, York Road, Malton (phone 01653 600700).

Updated: 11:35 Friday, April 29, 2005