Petroyle BMW M3 Touring, £60k seven seaters and car designs you once hated but now love

A V8 is an engine with eight cylinders arranged in a “V” shape, typically sharing a common crankshaft. In performance talk, V8 usually implies a specific sound and torque character compared with smaller engines or different cylinder counts.

A V10 is an engine with ten cylinders arranged in a V configuration. Compared with a V8, it often revs higher and can produce a different, more “exotic” sound profile—something the host is explicitly chasing in the F1 context.

A “seamless shift” gearbox refers to a transmission system designed to change gears with minimal interruption to power delivery. In Formula 1, it was a notable technology because it helped keep acceleration continuous through shifts, improving lap-time consistency.

The Audi RS5 is Audi’s performance-focused RS-series coupe/fastback, known for its punchy power and track-capable dynamics. In this segment, the host is looking forward to driving it and then watching it compete for pole position.

“Pole” refers to pole position in racing—starting first on the grid because the car set the fastest qualifying time. The host uses it as a shorthand for who is likely to win the race.

The host mentions a “Grand Prix,” which is a major motorsport race event (most commonly associated with Formula 1). Here it’s used to set up the idea of qualifying/pole on Saturday and the race on Sunday.

Lance Droll is mentioned as the driver who won (“Good win”). The name appears to be a transcription error for a Formula 1 driver, but the segment clearly treats him as the race winner in a Grand Prix context.

The BMW E46 M3 Touring is a rare estate (wagon) version of the E46-generation M3, built around BMW’s high-performance M3 platform. In this episode, it’s specifically described as being “built by Petroil,” tying the car to a modern restomod-style project based on the original E46 M3 Touring idea.

The BMW 3 Series is a compact executive sedan that’s known for balancing everyday usability with sporty driving. In this episode, the focus is on the E46-generation M3 Touring, a rare wagon version of the high-performance M3, which makes it a standout collector discussion. It’s also mentioned as being “brand new” and built by Petroil, which adds an unusual, custom-built angle to the conversation.

Petroil is referenced here as the builder behind the recreated BMW E46 M3 Touring. The episode frames it as a modern project that turns an older concept into something you can actually drive.

The BMW M3 is the performance model within BMW’s 3 Series family, built to deliver sharper handling and stronger engines than standard trims. The episode specifically references the E46 M3 CSL and mentions a “S62 V8 version of the M,” which ties into the idea of special, high-performance M3 variants. These cars are often discussed because limited-production models like the CSL are especially sought after by enthusiasts.

“Tail happy” is enthusiast slang for a car that’s prone to oversteer—meaning the rear end wants to step out when you accelerate or turn. It’s usually associated with a lively, playful chassis balance rather than a car that feels planted and neutral.

The Nürburgring is a famous German motorsport venue used as a benchmark for car development. In this context, the speaker says the car was raced there, highlighting how serious BMW’s motorsport validation is.

“Arrow advantage” here likely refers to aerodynamic advantage—how a car’s shape and downforce help it go faster, especially at higher speeds. The host ties it to roof length, implying the bodywork affects airflow and stability.

SPX is a racing class designation used in endurance motorsport rulesets, where cars are grouped by eligibility and performance balancing. The host describes it as “anything goes,” meaning the class is relatively open compared with tightly restricted categories.

HWA is a motorsport and engineering brand known for building and running race cars, often in Mercedes-related programs. “EVO” here reads like a specific race-car variant name used within that brand’s lineup.

Glickenhaus refers to the Glickenhaus brand, associated with niche high-performance sports cars and motorsport efforts. In this segment, it’s mentioned as having been involved with an SPX entry, implying participation in that class.

The BMW M3 Touring is a performance wagon: it combines BMW’s M3-level straight-line and handling hardware with a practical estate body. In this segment, the host also references the later “G81” generation, which is the modern M3 Touring that finally made it to production.

“Running gear” is the set of drivetrain and chassis components that make the car move and handle—here, specifically the M3’s parts. Swapping M3 running gear into an E46 Touring is a common conversion path to turn a regular wagon into something that drives like an M3.

An E46 Touring is the wagon/estate version of BMW’s E46-generation 3 Series platform. In the context of this episode, it’s the common starting point for enthusiasts who convert a regular E46 wagon into an M3-like car by adding M3 components.

Carbon fibre is a lightweight composite material used in performance builds to reduce weight and improve stiffness. In this segment, the host says Petroil fabricated many of the touring-specific parts in carbon fibre, which is presented as a way to build the conversion while keeping costs comparable to steel in their case.

Torsional rigidity is how resistant a car’s body is to twisting under load. Higher torsional rigidity generally improves handling consistency because the suspension can work against a more stable platform.

A rest-o-mod is a restomod: a classic car that’s updated with modern engineering while keeping a familiar look. In this segment, the host says it’s essentially a rest-o-mod, but not “in the traditional sense,” implying the changes are more about materials/structure than a full modern drivetrain swap.

“CSL” refers to BMW’s lightweight, track-focused M3 variant (the CSL badge). Calling it “CSL style” suggests the touring is being configured to resemble that more extreme, lighter-spec look—like adding a carbon roof—rather than being a literal CSL.

“Engine options” means the project can be configured with different powertrains rather than a single fixed engine. For a restomod-style build, offering multiple engine choices is a major part of how buyers tailor performance and feel.

The S54 is BMW’s high-revving inline-six engine family used in certain performance models (most famously the E46 M3). “Straight six” means the cylinders are in one line, and the S54 is known for being a strong, enthusiast-focused engine swap candidate.

A “donor car” is a vehicle kept (or bought) mainly to harvest usable parts for another project. In this case, the speaker is talking about pulling the engine from a donor BMW to build something else.

The S65 is BMW’s V8 engine used in performance applications (notably the V8-powered M cars of the era). Calling it an “S65 V8” signals a specific engine family rather than just any V8, and it’s often discussed as a swap option for projects wanting more displacement and character than an inline-six.

“Carbon” here refers to carbon-fiber bodywork, which is lighter and can be made into complex shapes compared with traditional steel or fiberglass. Custom carbon bodywork usually means expensive fabrication work, often for one-off or highly modified cars.

A manual gearbox is a transmission where the driver selects gears using a clutch pedal and gear lever. In enthusiast circles, it’s often associated with a more engaging, driver-controlled feel compared with automatic transmissions.

In car talk, “lifer” means a vehicle you keep long-term—often because it’s a personal “forever” car. The host is framing the rare M3 Touring as something you buy and then hold onto for years, not something you flip quickly.

A prototype is an early version of a vehicle built to test design, engineering, and feasibility before mass production. Prototypes can be running testbeds, but they may never reach the production stage if costs or other issues don’t work out.

A V12 is an engine with 12 cylinders arranged in a “V” shape (two banks of six). It’s often associated with smooth power delivery and high displacement, and it can produce strong torque and high-end performance.

A paddle shifter is a set of small levers on the steering wheel that lets the driver manually command gear changes. In an automatic or semi-automatic gearbox, it’s meant to give a more “driver-controlled” feel without a traditional clutch pedal.

“Semi-auto” typically means the car can change gears automatically, but the driver can also request gear changes (often via paddles). A “six speed” indicates the gearbox has six forward gear ratios for different speed/load conditions.

Mid-engine means the engine sits near the center of the car, typically behind the driver and ahead of the rear axle, which helps balance weight distribution. Rear-wheel drive means power is sent to the rear wheels, affecting traction and handling characteristics.

“RON 88” refers to a fuel with a specific octane rating (Research Octane Number). Higher-octane fuels resist knocking better, which matters for high-compression or high-performance engines that need stable combustion.

The Chevrolet Corvette is a long-running American sports car known for strong performance and a relatively attainable entry point compared with many supercars. The podcast references the C8 era, which is the mid-engine Corvette generation that helped modernize the car’s layout and driving feel. This makes it a natural topic when discussing what “incredible American cars” can mean in practice.

A V6 hybrid is a car that uses a V6 engine (six cylinders arranged in a V shape) combined with an electric motor. The “hybrid” part means the car can use electricity and/or recover energy during driving to improve efficiency.

Synthetic fuel (often called e-fuel in the broader discussion) is fuel made from non-petroleum inputs, typically using captured carbon and renewable energy. The point in this segment is that it could make a high-emissions engine concept feel more acceptable “these days.”

Cadillac is an American luxury brand that has been active in motorsport and performance marketing. In this segment, the hosts reference Cadillac’s recent resurgence and its racing programs as evidence that big-name brands can come back strongly.

A “Le Mans program” means a manufacturer’s racing effort aimed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It typically involves dedicated engineering, prototype/GT development, and long-term support to compete in endurance racing.

“Black Wings” here appears to refer to a specific Cadillac performance sub-brand/trim identity used in the U.S. The hosts mention it alongside racing programs, implying it’s part of Cadillac’s broader performance push.

Lotus is a British sports-car brand known for lightweight engineering and driver-focused cars. In this segment, the hosts discuss how Lotus had plans for new models in the early 2000s, and how money and brand direction affected those ideas.

The Lotus M250 is referenced as a planned Lotus model (in concept form) that would have sat above the entry-level Elise and below a higher-tier Esprit. The hosts mention it with a target spec of around 250 horsepower and a 3.0-liter V6.

The Lotus Elise is a lightweight, entry-level Lotus sports car that’s often used as the brand’s “starter” model. Here, the hosts say Lotus planned to keep the Elise as the entry point, then add the M250 above it and an Esprit further up the lineup.

The Lotus Esprit is a higher-tier Lotus sports car historically positioned above the Elise in the brand’s lineup. In this segment, the hosts describe a planned early-2000s hierarchy: Elise at entry level, M250 in the middle, and Esprit at the top.

This is a target performance and engine specification: “250 horsepower” is the power output, and “three litre V6” means a V6 engine with about 3.0 liters of total displacement. The hosts are using it to describe what the Lotus M250 concept was aiming for.

The Renault Clio V6 is an unusual, enthusiast-focused hot hatch concept that swaps in a V6 engine for a dramatic performance character. The podcast mentions Renault’s V6 being used in the Clio V6 and also references other brands’ V6 applications, highlighting how these engines were adapted for different projects. It’s discussed because the Clio V6 is memorable for being a rare, off-the-wall engineering experiment.

“Creature comforts” refers to convenience features that make a car easier and nicer to live with day to day. Here, the hosts list examples like air conditioning, central locking, and electric windows—things that the Lotus Elise is known for lacking.

“Grand tour-esque” describes a driving style and car character aimed at comfortable long-distance cruising. It’s not just speed—think ride comfort, refinement, and features that make road trips easier, which the hosts contrast with the Elise’s spartan approach.

A concept car is a prototype built to showcase new design ideas, technologies, or styling directions rather than to be sold to the public. In this segment, the hosts note that the full-size concept was a clay model that didn’t actually move, but it still influenced production cars.

A single exit exhaust means the exhaust system routes gases out through one outlet rather than dual outlets. The hosts describe a triangular-shaped exhaust area ending in a single outlet, using it as a key styling cue for the car’s rear design.

The Lotus Europa is a classic Lotus sports car known for its distinctive rear styling and packaging. Here, the hosts compare the concept’s rear-exhaust layout to the Europa, implying Lotus reused similar design themes across different models.

The Renault Wind is a small, compact car that was offered with a distinctive design and a more open-air driving concept depending on the version. The episode’s mention of “Renault Zoom” and “it doesn’t sound like wind” points to how the name and marketing were tied to an idea of airflow or open-top fun. It’s brought up as a quirky model with an unusual identity rather than a mainstream performance choice.

“Shoe-horned” is a colloquial way to describe forcing something into a space or packaging it in a way that’s not ideal. Here, it’s used to emphasize how the larger V12 (compared with a V10) was fitted into the existing R-rate Le Mans car architecture.

A six-speed manual is a gearbox where the driver selects gears using a clutch and gear lever, with six forward ratios. The host is contrasting it with earlier five-speed setups, arguing that the car didn’t necessarily need six gears—especially given how torquey the engine was.

DSG stands for “Direct-Shift Gearbox,” a type of dual-clutch transmission used by Volkswagen Group brands. In this context, the host is saying the older DSG couldn’t handle the engine’s torque, so they opted for a manual gearbox instead.

Torque is the engine’s twisting force, which strongly influences how quickly a car accelerates and how hard it loads the drivetrain. The host’s point is that the torque output was high enough that the older DSG transmission couldn’t handle it.

A five-speed gearbox has five forward gear ratios, which can be enough when an engine makes strong torque across a wide range. The host notes that Le Mans cars were using five-speed gearboxes because they didn’t need extra ratios to keep the engine in its power band.

A low-revving engine is one designed to operate efficiently at relatively low engine speeds (RPM). The host is suggesting that a big, turbocharged diesel V12 would likely not need to spin very high to make the torque needed for racing.

The Lancia Forvia is a classic Lancia concept car from the brand’s mid-century design era, known for its distinctive three-box layout. In this segment, the host talks about a mid-2000s revival idea (via FCA) that would bring back the Forvia’s original styling cues like the long hood and compact cabin.

A three-box design is a body layout where the car’s styling is clearly divided into three visual sections: the front engine bay, the passenger cabin, and the rear trunk/deck. The host uses it to explain why the revived Lancia Forvia concept would still look “classic” rather than modern-hatchback or crossover-like.

“Long bonnet” refers to a styling choice where the front hood extends farther forward than on more compact, cab-forward designs. It’s often associated with older, traditional proportions where the engine sits well ahead of the cabin.

The Fiat Punto Mark II is a second-generation Fiat Punto small hatchback platform. In the segment, it’s mentioned as the original intended chassis for a different project, which helps explain how platform choices affect packaging and engineering feasibility.

The Alfa Romeo Spider chassis refers to the platform used by the Alfa Romeo Spider roadster. The hosts call it “famously… a brilliant chassis,” implying it was well-suited for road driving and would better support the intended car than the Fiat Punto’s architecture.

A financial crisis is a broad economic shock that tightens credit and reduces consumer and corporate spending. In this segment, it’s used to explain why the planned car project was “canned” around the same time the global economy was under strain.

The Fiat 124 GT Abarth is a performance-oriented version of the 124, associated with Abarth’s tuning and racing heritage. In the podcast, it’s mentioned in connection with a “buddyed up with Mazda” effort that led to the Fiat 124 Spider. That relationship matters because it explains why the 124 nameplate has continued in a modern, performance-focused form.

The Fiat 124 Spider is a modern-era sports roadster that carries the 124 name while focusing on lightweight, fun driving. The episode notes it was developed through a partnership with Mazda, which is significant because it helps explain the car’s engineering and driving dynamics. It’s brought up as part of the broader “124” performance story, linking older Abarth associations to a newer interpretation.

The Opel Astra is a compact car line known for being practical and widely used as a daily driver. In the podcast, it’s mentioned alongside a comment about “Naughty’s Astra headlights,” which suggests a specific styling detail caught the speaker’s attention. That kind of reference usually comes up when discussing design quirks or memorable visual elements.

The A-pillar is the front vertical support structure of a car’s body, located just ahead of the windshield. When designers talk about roofline shapes running from the A-pillar to the B- or C-pillar, they’re describing how the roof and side glass are framed.

The Mercedes-Benz CL is a luxury coupe line known for its distinctive long hood and elegant, sloping roof shape. The speaker compares the Rover 75 Coupe’s roofline to a second-generation Mercedes CL, using it as a style reference for the “arch” roof profile.

The Acura CL is a luxury coupe from Acura, built to offer a more upscale look and feel than a typical mainstream coupe. The episode describes it as having a “beautiful arch,” and compares it to a “second-generation Mercedes CL,” which frames the CL’s design as part of a similar luxury-coupe style. It’s discussed because its styling and presence make it memorable in the luxury coupe category.

The C-pillar is the rear vertical body support, typically located behind the rear side window. Like the A- and B-pillars, it’s used as a reference for how the roofline and glass are shaped in different body styles.

The B-pillar is the vertical body support between the front and rear side doors (on cars that have two rows of doors). It’s a key reference point for describing roofline and window framing—especially when comparing “pillar” vs “pillarless” door designs.

“Pillarless doors” are doors that open without a fixed vertical pillar at the door opening (often achieved with a frameless or retracting window design). This creates a more open, uninterrupted look when the door is open, but it requires careful body rigidity and sealing.

This refers to Rover’s severe financial distress around 2005, which ultimately led to the brand’s collapse and the program being stopped. In automotive terms, “canned” here means the project was terminated before it could reach production.

“Building concepts” here refers to creating a one-off or custom car concept—often inspired by an idea that never reached production. The speaker contrasts it with the fact that the concept “they never made it,” highlighting the difference between a planned concept car and an actual completed build.

The Range Rover is Land Rover’s flagship luxury SUV, built for comfort, off-road capability, and a high-end ownership experience. The episode specifically calls out the Range Rover SV Coupe, which is a rare, coupe-styled version of the Range Rover formula. That rarity and unusual body style make it worth discussing alongside more common SUV designs.

The Range Rover SV Coupe is a two-door, coupe-styled version of Land Rover’s Range Rover luxury SUV, aimed at buyers who want SUV practicality with a lower, sportier shape. In this segment, the hosts frame it as a “special” SVO-built halo car with very high pricing.

“Coupe-style” in this context means a body shape with a lower roofline and fewer doors than a typical SUV, aiming for a sportier silhouette. The hosts are contrasting this with the normal four-door Range Rover format.

SVO refers to Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations, the division that builds higher-spec, more bespoke versions of Land Rover models. In this segment, the hosts say the Range Rover SV Coupe was planned to be hand-assembled by SVO, emphasizing its “special” positioning.

A supercharged V8 is an engine with eight cylinders arranged in a “V” shape, plus a supercharger that forces extra air into the cylinders. That typically increases power output compared with the same engine without forced induction.

The Audi S8 is the performance-focused version of the A8 luxury sedan, combining high power with a full-size, comfortable platform. The podcast suggests that another car “could have based it on an S8,” which implies the S8 as a reference point for performance and executive-car capability. It’s mentioned because the S8 represents a blend of speed and luxury in a large sedan package.

The Porsche 911 is an iconic sports car famous for its rear-engine design and long-running evolution across generations. The podcast hints at interest in an RSR 911-related idea, which would point toward track-focused 911 variants. That kind of connection matters because it ties the 911’s heritage to motorsport performance and special editions.

The Porsche 919 Street is a road-focused concept/variant tied to Porsche’s 919 program. It’s notable because it’s derived from the Le Mans-winning 919 race car concept, but packaged as a “street” headline car for special releases.

The Porsche 919 is Porsche’s Le Mans prototype race car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015, 2016, and 2017. It’s remembered for combining high-downforce endurance racing with hybrid powertrain technology, making it a benchmark for modern top-tier endurance performance.

“Laboratories on wheels” is a motorsport concept meaning the race car is used as a testbed for new technology. The idea is that racing accelerates development by stress-testing aerodynamics, powertrain systems, and control strategies in real competition.

A V4 hybrid describes a hybrid powertrain that uses a V4 engine layout (four cylinders arranged in a V shape) plus an electric system. In endurance racing, this kind of setup is used to improve efficiency and manage power delivery over long stints.

The Bentley Bentayga is Bentley’s luxury SUV, known for combining a big, comfortable ride with high-end interior features. In this segment, the host highlights a 2018 example with a four-litre V8, and discusses how it can still feel “modern” despite being older than a typical budget/age rule.

“Euler’s compliant” refers to meeting a specific emissions/legality standard so the car is still considered usable and “modern” under current rules. The host is using it to justify why an older (2018) car can still fit their criteria, even if it breaks an age limit.

Infotainment systems are the car’s built-in electronics for things like navigation, media, and smartphone integration. The host notes that these interfaces can feel outdated quickly, which is why newer software/feature support matters when buying an older car.

CarPlay is Apple’s system for mirroring and controlling compatible iPhone apps through the car’s infotainment screen. The host mentions it as an “essential” feature, implying the older Bentayga should still feel current because it supports modern phone integration.

A “four-litre V8” describes an engine with eight cylinders arranged in a V shape, with a total displacement of about four liters. The host points out that, for a Bentley, this is relatively modest, but still delivers a “lovely” driving feel.

A W12 is an engine configuration where the cylinders are arranged in a “W” shape, typically using four banks of cylinders that share a compact layout. It’s known for smoothness and strong low-end torque, but it can be expensive to maintain compared with smaller engines.

“Running cost” is the ongoing expense of owning and operating a car, such as fuel, servicing, tires, insurance, and repairs. In enthusiast discussions, it often highlights how certain engines (like larger or more complex ones) can be cheaper or pricier to keep on the road.

A V8 diesel is an engine that uses eight cylinders arranged in a V shape and runs on diesel fuel. Diesel versions are often chosen for their strong low-end torque and efficiency, which can make a heavy SUV feel more effortless when pulling or cruising.

“Hold their value” refers to how well a vehicle retains its resale price over time. The speaker is attributing that to the Land Cruiser’s reputation and desirability, implying strong demand in the used market.