BMW is testing the i3 Touring electric wagon, which is expected to expand the Neue Klasse electric vehicle family. A partially camouflaged prototype was spotted on the Nürburgring highway. The premiere of the new model is expected in 2027, Motor 1 reported.
Compared to the i3 sedan, the wagon will have an extended roof and a more practical rear body with a large tailgate. The front part, judging by the tested prototype, will be almost the same as the sedan's.
On the car’s roof, a panoramic glass panel is visible. It will likely be fixed, without a sliding section. Another possible change concerns the rear door: the prototype does not show a separate button to open the rear glass independently from the main tailgate door. BMW has already abandoned this feature in the 5 Series and i5 Touring wagons. The company explained the decision with aerodynamic requirements.
The interior is expected to replicate the design of the i3 sedan. It will feature a large central screen, a heads-up display at the lower part of the windshield, and a reduced number of physical buttons.
The main advantage of the wagon will be a capacious cargo space. In the i3 sedan, the volume is 420 liters, while the Touring version’s cargo area should be larger. The front trunk, with a capacity of 31 liters, will likely be retained.
Production of the electric wagon will be organized at BMW’s Munich plant. Meanwhile, a future 3 Series wagon with an internal combustion engine, if the company releases a new generation, will be built on a different platform and produced in Dingolfing.
In the future, BMW may also introduce sporty versions of the wagon. Possible options include the i3 M60 and a fully electric M3 Touring with four electric motors. However, these variants have not yet been officially confirmed.
