For the ravenous fandom of station wagons, we have some good news. The CarBuzz spy photographers have just snapped a brand new one from BMW for the first time. It might look like a Volvo, but it’s the BMW i3 Touring, out on the road. The performance electric wagon could also end up as the most practical version of the electric M3. Let’s take a closer look.
Volvo Vibes, But Wait For The Camo To Drop
BMW i3 Touring spy photoCarBuzz/Valnet
From the very front to about halfway along the back doors, this i3 Touring looks like the standard i3. It could get a unique front bumper, at least based on the camouflage, but the 3 Series Touring and sedan are normally a pair.
Of course, where the sedan drops away toward the rear glass and trunk, the Touring keeps going. The back of the rear door is more upright, extending further backward without the angle of one from the sedan. That gives the car better rear seat access, as well as a bigger rear window.
Then the Touring keeps going. The roof bends gently until it gets to the tailgate, which has a much sharper and cargo-friendly drop. The hockey stick taillights from other BMW i models are present, and they get a nip / tuck to fit the hatch instead of the trunk.
Take the front 3/4 view by itself, and this Touring looks like it might be the next Volvo V60. The roofline and side sculpting, combined with the extra-tall greenhouse of BMW’s Neue Klasse cars, give it that effect. Once the nose and tail are uncovered, it should stand out as a new Bimmer thanks to the family face and bulging rear fenders.
Expect The Same Motors As The i3 Sedan
BMW i3 Touring spy photoCarBuzz/Valnet
It’s possible the Touring could come to the US. BMW hasn’t said anything officially, but the company has said that the success of the M5 Touring could make more wagons possible. Specifically the next M3 Touring.
Don’t expect any mechanical changes versus the i3 sedan. In the US, the sedan will arrive with 463 horsepower from its electric motors and an estimated 440 miles of range from a 108-kWh battery pack. The wagon will likely offer slightly less range because of the roofline, but not by a significant amount.
BMW hasn’t revealed the M version of the i3 EV yet, but it is coming soon. It’s expected to make around 700 hp from four electric motors, and having a motor for each wheel should one-up the car’s handling. Production of the M3 is expected to start next March, but we don’t have an estimate for when the Touring – in either form – might be revealed.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
BMW i3 Touring spy photoCarBuzz/Valnet
While the sales numbers don’t always reflect it, enthusiasts love wagons. Especially in Europe, where the fuel economy and handling benefits versus an SUV are more appreciated.
That BMW is making an electric version shows how serious demand is, in at least some of its markets. Based on a few hints and some hopes and dreams, one of those markets could be the US this time… especially when the massively powerful M3 version hits the road soon.
