The upcoming BMW i3 Touring is beginning to take shape, with new footage showing the electric station wagon testing near Germany’s Nürburgring. The more practical version of the i3 sedan is reportedly not expected to enter production until the second half of 2027.
BMW i3 Touring Focuses on Everyday Practicality
Electric vehicles can offer practical advantages, including generally lower energy costs, which are particularly relevant amid high gas prices influenced by the conflict in the Middle East. They also typically require less maintenance because their powertrains have fewer moving parts than combustion-powered cars.
Those benefits could make the BMW i3 Touring an appealing choice for buyers who prioritize practicality. Recent footage from CarSpyMedia shows the vehicle in the metal, although camouflage continues to cover its front and rear ends.
The “Touring” designation refers to BMW’s station wagon body style, adding cargo space and making the vehicle better suited to activities such as grocery shopping than the i3 sedan. The prototype was spotted testing near Germany’s Nürburgring for the first time, suggesting it could soon take on the Green Hell itself.
The i3 Gains a Station Wagon Body Style
Anyone familiar with the i3 sedan should recognize the BMW i3 Touring despite its camouflage. The prototype retains the unmistakable Neue Klasse headlights and slim taillights seen on the sedan.
The i3 Touring will become the first Neue Klasse EV offered with a station wagon body style.
Station wagons typically face slight weight and aerodynamic penalties in exchange for greater practicality. For electric vehicles, those factors can translate into less driving range than an equivalent sedan.
For reference, BMW estimates that the U.S.-bound i3 can travel up to 440 miles based on its testing using EPA procedures. Assuming the Touring uses the same battery, its extended roofline and additional bodywork should result in slightly less range, although the difference is unlikely to be significant.
Dual-Motor Performance Expected for the i3 Touring
The i3 50 xDrive’s dual-motor setup is also expected to be offered in the BMW i3 Touring. The system produces 463 horsepower and enables the sedan to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds.
The wagon’s additional weight could make it marginally slower.
Potential Premium Price and Uncertain U.S. Plans
Considering that the 2027 M5 Touring is $2,000 more expensive than the M5 sedan in the U.S., the i3 Touring will likely carry a small premium over its sedan counterpart. However, it remains unclear whether the Bavarian automaker plans to bring the more practical version to the U.S.
What is known is that the i3 will arrive in the U.S. next year, with production now underway in Munich, Germany. Pricing has not yet been announced, but the model should slot below its compact-crossover counterpart, the iX3, which starts at $61,500.
With testing now underway, the BMW i3 Touring is emerging as a more cargo-friendly alternative to the upcoming sedan, though key details about its production timing, pricing and potential availability in the U.S. remain unclear.
