BMW i3 Touring: Rendering Previews New 3 Series Wagon

MUNICH, Germany – BMW has confirmed plans to expand its Neue Klasse electric vehicle lineup with a wagon variant of the i3, dubbed the i3 Touring. The announcement, made during the i3’s presentation, signals BMW’s intention to offer a broader range of body styles within its next-generation EV platform, catering to both individual consumers and business clients.

While the i3 sedan is slated for release later this year, the Touring model will follow, likely arriving in 2027, according to BMW officials. CEO Oliver Zipse highlighted the importance of the wagon body style, stating, “Business customers and families will be especially pleased—the Touring has always been very popular with them,” during the i3’s unveiling.

The i3 Touring will share the same dedicated EV architecture as the i3 sedan and the recently launched iX3 SUV. This platform, featuring an 800-volt electrical architecture capable of accepting up to 400 kW at compatible charging stations, represents a significant departure from BMW’s current practice of adapting existing combustion engine platforms for electric vehicles. The i3 sedan boasts a battery pack with cells that are 20 percent more energy dense than those in BMW’s larger EVs, offering a total capacity of 109 kWh.

BMW has not yet detailed the powertrain options for the i3 Touring, but it is anticipated that the wagon will mirror the sedan’s dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration, delivering 463 horsepower. The company similarly intends to offer both fully electric i3 Touring models and gasoline-powered 3 Series wagons, built on different platforms but sharing similar exterior styling. This dual-track approach allows BMW to cater to a wider range of customer preferences.

The design of the i3 Touring is expected to closely resemble the sedan, incorporating the minimalist and modern aesthetic of the Neue Klasse design language. This includes a wider, integrated kidney grille, distinctive “four-eye” headlights, and flush-fitting door handles that extend as the driver approaches. The i3 sedan is 1.6 inches longer, 1.5 inches wider, and 1.6 inches taller than the current 3-series, with a wheelbase extended by nearly 2 inches, and the Touring model is expected to maintain a similar footprint.

One point of interest for enthusiasts is whether the next 3 Series wagon will retain the feature of a separately opening rear window, a characteristic currently found on the existing 3 Series wagon but absent on the latest 5 Series wagon. BMW has not yet confirmed whether this feature will be carried over to the new generation.

The introduction of the i3 Touring, alongside the 5 Series wagon, reinforces BMW’s commitment to offering wagon alternatives in a market increasingly dominated by SUVs. The company has confirmed that high-performance M Performance and full M versions of both the i3 and the gasoline-powered 3 Series are under development, suggesting a comprehensive lineup for the Neue Klasse platform.