BMW i3 Touring: Neue Klasse Estate Coming in 2027, Rear Window Open?

Design

Spy photos show that the i3 Touring keeps the saloon's rear lights and its wide rear wheel arches. The window line rises towards the back for a sportier profile, and the rear glass is deeper. One question is still open: the opening rear window, a popular feature of earlier BMW estates. The current 5 Series Touring has dropped it, and no release latch is visible on the test cars. When Auto Express asked, Dr Mike Reichelt, head of the Neue Klasse division, smiled, nodded and said: "We will see."

Motors, battery and charging

The i3 saloon is sold as a 40 xDrive with two motors and 279 kW (374 bhp), and as a 50 xDrive with two motors, 345 kW (462 bhp) and 645 Nm. Single-motor versions are expected soon. The Touring should get the same line-up. With the 112 kWh battery, the 50 xDrive saloon claims up to 565 miles, the longest range of any car on sale in the UK. The heavier estate body should cut that slightly. Charging at up to 400 kW is expected to add about 248 miles (400 km) in 10 minutes.

Space and price

The saloon has a 420-litre boot, 30 litres less than the petrol 3 Series and 50 litres less than the electric Mercedes C-Class saloon. The Touring should offer more space and folding rear seats, giving buyers an alternative to the larger iX3 SUV.

In the UK, the i3 saloon starts at £47,925 for the 40 xDrive (about €57,000 in 2026) and £53,425 for the 50 xDrive (about €63,600 in 2026). Based on the price gap of the outgoing 3 Series, Auto Express expects the Touring to cost about £2,000 more in 2026 money (about €2,400).

What it means for you

If you want a long-range electric estate, the i3 Touring is worth waiting for: it promises range close to the saloon's class-leading figure with more luggage space than the saloon and a lower price than the iX3 SUV. If you need a car before spring 2027, the iX3 is already on sale on the same technology.

Read our guides to the BMW iX3 and the BMW i4, or browse the BMW catalogue.