2027 BMW i3 Touring Spied Near Nürburgring: What the Latest Spy Shots Reveal
The first ever electric BMW wagon sibling to the i3 sedan has been caught on camera in near-production trim, giving the best look yet at the 2027 model before its debut.
If you've been waiting for BMW to release an electric alternative to the i3 sedan, the wait may be over soon. A new spy video caught a prototype of the 2027 BMW i3 Touring driving on the famous Nürburgring circuit in broad daylight, and this time the camera crew got a rare, close look at the vehicle. For BMW electric car fans in the USA, UK, Australia, and beyond, this may be one of the best looks at the car yet.
BMW already has an electric wagon in the form of the i5 Touring, so what makes the i3 Touring different? Unlike other BMW electric vehicles that use the CLAR platform, the i3 Touring will use Neue Klasse, the company's dedicated electric vehicle platform. The same platform underpins the i3 sedan and the iX3, and it's set to be BMW's most important platform for years to come.
A Prototype That's Barely Disguised
The test vehicle spotted near the Nürburgring had some areas of the car exposed, as the camouflage primarily focused on the front and rear bumpers. Interestingly, the front fascia and mirrors on the i3 Touring appear to carry over from the i3 sedan, so it's unclear why those areas were covered up at this stage of development. However, the same cannot be said for the rear of the vehicle, as BMW appears to have taken extra care to hide the redesigned wagon-specific bodywork from view.
Based on what can be seen, it appears that the taillights carry over from the sedan, as they stretch across the tailgate in a similar fashion. One notable difference between the i3 Touring and the i3 sedan is the rear wiper, which appears to have a more streamlined base on the Touring. This suggests that the separate opening glass hatch, which is a feature some buyers appreciate on wagons, may be absent on the i3 Touring.
It wouldn't be the first time BMW has done this. The company removed this feature from the current 5 Series Touring, and it appears to be following in the footsteps of the X5, which also gets a single tailgate opening now. It may be that the i3 Touring will adopt a similar design language to the 5 Series and X5 and do away with the separate opening glass hatch.
Why A Wagon Makes Sense In The SUV Era
In the modern automotive landscape, it's easy to dismiss wagons as outdated. However, a wagon can offer significantly more practicality than an SUV without the added weight, height, and aerodynamic penalty that come with the territory. For buyers in Europe, where wagons continue to have a presence, and in the USA, UK, and Australia, where buyers appreciate the sportier look and handling of a low-slung estate car, the i3 Touring could prove to be a popular choice.
Expected Specifications: Similar To The i3 Sedan, With Some Differencess
While specs for the i3 Touring have not been confirmed, it's safe to assume that it will be largely similar to the i3 sedan it's based on, with a few key differences. The i3 sedan, which was unveiled earlier this year, has a 108.7 kWh battery, 800-volt architecture, and 400 kW DC fast charging capability as standard. The launch spec i3 50 xDrive produces 463 horsepower and 645 Nm of torque, with a 0-62 mph time of around 4.7 seconds and a claimed WLTP range of 900 km or around 440 miles on the EPA range cycle.
The i3 Touring will almost certainly produce similar power figures, but its increased weight due to the larger body size will reduce its range. In return for the increased weight, buyers can expect a significantly larger boot than the 420 liters (14.8 cubic feet) offered by the i3 sedan. The Touring's boot capacity is expected to be significantly larger, as the wagon body style allows for a taller and more upright load bay. The small front boot on the i3 sedan, which offers 31 liters (1.1 cubic feet), is also expected to carry over to the i3 Touring.
The i3 Touring Could Also Signal The Return Of The Combustion 3 Series Wagon
While the i3 Touring has been a much anticipated release for electric car buyers, it may also be of interest to petrolheads. BMW is reportedly working on a next-generation, combustion-only 3 Series Touring, which insiders have dubbed the "G51." This model is expected to be largely similar to the all-electric i3 Touring and will offer petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid powertrains. This model is expected to launch several years after the i3 Touring, sometime in the late 2020s.
Interestingly, BMW has stated that the Neue Klasse electric cars will share a visual design language with their combustion counterparts. This is especially evident in the i3, which is largely similar to the petrol 3 Series in many design cues. This design language will become much more evident when the next-generation 3 Series sedan, or "G50," launches later this year.
Final Thoughts
The 2027 BMW i3 Touring is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated electric wagons of the year, offering buyers the practicality of a wagon in a more efficient package than an SUV. While BMW has kept many details about the i3 Touring's design and specification under wraps, these latest Nürburgring spy photos suggest that the company is making good progress on the project, and a full reveal is not far away. For buyers in the USA, UK, and Australia, the i3 Touring could be one of BMW's most compelling Neue Klasse vehicles, and it's sure to be a popular choice for those seeking a more versatile alternative to the i3 sedan.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Will The BMW i3 Touring Be Releasing?
The i3 Touring is expected to launch in 2027, following the release of the i3 sedan, which is set to launch in Munich in August 2026.
What Platform Does The BMW i3 Touring Use?
The i3 Touring will be built on Neue Klasse, BMW's dedicated electric vehicle platform. This platform also underpins the i3 sedan and iX3.
Will The i3 Touring Have The Same Range As The i3 Sedan?
The i3 Touring's range is expected to be largely similar to the i3 sedan, although its increased weight due to the larger body size will reduce its range. The i3 sedan is expected to have a range of around 440 miles on the EPA range cycle.
Is The i3 Touring Losing The Separate Opening Tailgate Glass?
Based on the latest spy photos, it seems as though the i3 Touring will be adopting a similar design language to the current 5 Series and X5 and doing away with the separate opening tailgate glass in favour of a single tailgate opening.
Will There Be A Non-Electric Version Of The Next-Gen 3 Series Touring?
Yes, BMW is expected to continue to release petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid variants of the next-gen 3 Series Touring, which insiders have dubbed the "G51." This model is expected to launch several years after the i3 Touring.
How Does The i3 Touring Compare To The iX3?
The i3 Touring is expected to be lighter and more aerodynamic than the iX3, although the iX3 will have a larger cabin and boot due to its higher ground clearance.
#BMWi3Touring #BMWNeueKlasse #ElectricWagon #BMWEV #2027BMW #BMWSpyShots #ElectricCarNews #BMW3Series #EVNews #FutureEVs
.jpeg)
