The latest BMW M3 Sedan has been getting bad press for its controversial new design, but BMW arguably redeemed itself when it announced it will be joined by an M3 Touring for the first time ever, blending the performance of the sedan with the practicality of a family wagon.

Sadly, it isn't coming to the US, but vocal enthusiasts have started a petition to try and change that. Audi brought the RS6 Avant to America, so we can only hope that BMW has a change of heart if there's enough demand. In the meantime, our spies have caught BMW testing a prototype of the new M3 Wagon on snow and ice.

It certainly looks like the test driver was having a lot of fun sliding the high-performance wagon in the snow. The prototype is still fully camouflaged, but we already know it will share design cues with the M3 Sedan. Yes, that means the enormous grille will carry over, but it might not look as jarring on the larger wagon. Elsewhere, the M3 Touring retains its sedan sibling's flared fenders and quad exhaust system.

While it's disappointing the M3 Touring will be forbidden fruit in America, BMW's new performance wagon has a few setbacks so we shouldn't be too jealous.

Whereas the M3 Sedan is available with rear-wheel and all-wheel drive and a choice of either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission, the wagon variant will only be available in Competition-spec with all-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox.

The BMW M3 Touring will go on sale next year in Europe, where it will go head-to-head with the Audi RS4 Avant and Mercedes-AMG C63 Estate. Neither of these performance wagons are sold in the US, so the M3 Wagon will have the market all to itself if BMW decides to bring it to America. We're keeping our fingers crossed.