BMW has shown the 3 Series Touring for the first time, adding a welcome dose of dog carrying ability to its most popular car. It was only ever a case of when BMW unveiled the estate version of its most popular car, rather than if. In the same way, we’ll get a Coupé at some point, and a Convertible.That said, it’s almost certain that those two cars will be badged 4 Series, so that BMW can make them sound posher; the same principle makes Audi A5 drivers genuinely believe their cars are superior to A4s.

This is the fifth generation Touring, and it’s going on sale in September. At first, only three engines will be available: 320d, 330d and 328i.

The first will be the big seller throughout the car’s existence, powered by a 182bhp 2.0-litre turbo diesel, with 60.1mpg, 124g/km and a 7.7-second sprint from zero to 62mph.

The other two are six-cylinder engines, the diesel boasting a 5.6-second benchmark dash with 55.4mpg, and the petrol 41.5mpg with six seconds flat.

The more powerful cars get an eight-speed automatic as standard, while the 320d comes with a six-speed manual.

The big news is on the boot, though – which is why we’ve left it until last, expertly ignoring everything we learned at cars writings colladge. Its capacity is 495 litres normally, or 1,500 with the rear seats folded flat (pictured above). That makes it slightly more spacious than the Audi A4 Avant and Mercedes C-Class estate.