BMW’s new electric van is almost here

With a release scheduled for 2027, the BMW i3 Touring has been spotted again during its development tests, now with less camouflage.

The BMW i3, the electric Series 3, has just arrived in the domestic market as a four-door sedan, but it will be followed in the future by a second body style: a van.

The development of the BMW i3 Touring continues, with several test prototypes being captured at the Nürburgring. Naturally, no camouflage can hide the biggest difference from the sedan: the new rear volume.

The roofline is flatter, and there is a clear cut at the transition to the rear section. The rear pillar or D-pillar is also more vertical.

It is also expected that the i3 Touring will gain a few centimeters in length, which combined with the new rear volume should allow it to exceed the 420 liters of cargo space available in the i3 sedan.

Inside, aside from the increased space at the back for rear passengers, no significant differences are anticipated compared to the existing i3. The BMW Panoramic iDrive system, which projects information across the bottom of the windshield, along with a 17.9″ central screen, will also be part of this electric van from BMW.

The powertrains will be the same as those in the i3 sedan, with two versions currently planned: 50 xDrive and 40 xDrive. The former is the more powerful version, equipped with two electric motors producing 345 kW (469 hp) and 645 Nm of torque, powered by a 108 kWh battery.

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The second version retains the two electric motors, but the power drops to 275 kW (374 hp) and 520 Nm, with a battery of lower capacity at 82.8 kWh.

Like the sedan, the wagon is expected to offer excellent range, although due to its body style, it is unlikely to achieve the same 912 km of range as the 50 xDrive version. In the 40 xDrive version, the sedan guarantees 710 km of range between charges.

In addition to these two versions, others are planned. One is expected to be more affordable, featuring only rear-wheel drive. The other, which still needs confirmation, will be an M version, positioned at the opposite end to accompany the future BMW i3 M.

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Arrives in 2027

The launch of the new BMW i3 Touring is scheduled for 2027. But the electric van is not expected to arrive alone, as it is anticipated that it will be accompanied by the new generation of the gasoline-powered Series 3 Touring as well.