BMW i3 Touring Spied as the Estate Fightback Begins

The estate is back, and it runs on electrons. BMW’s new i3 Touring has been caught testing at the Nürburgring, wearing only a thin layer of camouflage. This is the first electric 3 Series wagon, and BMW confirmed its existence earlier this year. The flimsy disguise hides very little, which hints that the design is almost signed off. Rival estate makers should be watching closely.

Up front, nothing new. The nose mirrors the i3 saloon, a smart way to keep development costs in check. Everything changes from the B-pillar back, where a stretched roofline flows into sporty rear quarter windows. A reshaped tail and a wide tailgate promise easier access to the boot. M Sport bumpers, 20-inch wheels and red brake callipers give this prototype a properly purposeful stance.

Power should come straight from the saloon. The i3 40 xDrive pairs two motors with 369hp and an 82.8kWh battery, good for 441 miles on the WLTP cycle. Step up to the i3 50 xDrive, and you get 463hp, a 108.7kWh pack and a staggering 567 miles. Extra weight and a less slippery shape may trim those figures slightly. Single-motor versions will join the range later.

Inside, the family theme continues. Expect the saloon’s 17.9-inch central screen, BMW’s Panoramic Vision display and an optional 3D head-up display. Rear passengers gain extra headroom, while the boot swallows more luggage than the saloon’s. BMW pitches the Touring as a lower, sleeker alternative to the taller iX3 SUV. Rapid 400kW charging should carry over too, so long journeys won’t drag.

Petrol fans have not been forgotten. A combustion-powered 3 Series Touring is also expected, and the saloon’s M350 xDrive already packs a 437hp mild-hybrid 3.0-litre straight-six. Diesel, however, has been axed from the new generation. Both estates should reach European roads in 2027, with the i3 Touring’s full reveal due next year. Practical, potent and plugged in, BMW’s wagon fightback starts right here.