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When testing for the Gran Coupe with prospective customers many told us that if there was a Touring they would buy both.
So you can see the potential to why BMW are moving forward with one.

If you take two markets for example one being the US, wagon sales are dead , the only mid-size wagon that remains is the E-Klasse T-Modell which is being cannibalized by the all-new ML. So much so that the improvement E-Klasse T-Modell due towards the end of the year is not being federalized for the US.
The 3er Touring moves into a market in which Audi have already removed the A4 Avant due to the Q5, X3 and X1 are there to be the equivalent SAV model should sales falter. If the Touring underperforms it will be gone by the first LCi.

Then there is China which is beginning to see a market for the Estate car or activity car, so much so that BMW introduced the 5er Touring recently.
Estate car demand is growing in China whilst collapsing in the US in the shadow of the SUV.

Gran Touring models could perform more a sporting luxury role than conventional hauler. Its appearance will conform to the looks of a sports car with more flexibility something that Gran Coupe customers needed more from the 6er because of family and ease of transport for business consultants.

The Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake is a car aimed at Europe essentially.
And so would the 6er Gran Touring , not everybody needs the flexibility and capaciousness of a Touring and will resort to these types of cars if in some cases just as status. The 6er Gran Touring will also provide a back drop to when BMW decide how to progress the 5er Gran Turismo.