Built for the Daily Grind
Electric vehicles can be practical for several reasons, including generally lower energy costs – which are particularly relevant amid high gas prices influenced by the conflict in the Middle East – and reduced maintenance needs because their powertrains have fewer moving parts than those of combustion-powered cars. That makes the upcoming BMW i3 Touring an appealing option for buyers who prioritize practicality, though production reportedly isn’t expected to begin until the second half of 2027.
Thanks to CarSpyMedia, recent footage shows the i3 Touring in the metal, albeit with camouflage covering its front and rear ends. “Touring” denotes BMW’s station wagon body style, which adds cargo space and makes it better suited to activities like grocery shopping than the i3 sedan. The prototype was spotted during testing near Germany’s Nürburgring for the first time, suggesting it could soon take on the Green Hell itself.
The i3 Grows a Tailgate
Anyone familiar with the i3 sedan should find the i3 Touring recognizable despite the camouflage. The unmistakable Neue Klasse headlights and slim taillights from the sedan are also visible on this prototype. It will become the first Neue Klasse EV offered with a station wagon body style.
However, station wagons often carry slight weight and aerodynamic penalties in exchange for added practicality. For EVs, that can mean less 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 it uses the same battery, the i3 Touring’s extended roofline and additional bodywork should result in slightly less range, although the difference is unlikely to be significant.
The i3 50 xDrive’s dual-motor setup is also expected to be offered in the i3 Touring. It produces 463 horsepower and enables the sedan to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds. The wagon’s additional weight could make it marginally slower.
The Touring Premium
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 stateside.
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 it should slot below its compact-crossover counterpart, the iX3, which starts at $61,500.
