Spy photographers have now caught BMW’s long‑roof i3 Touring testing at the Nürburgring Nordschleife — a clear sign the Neue Klasse wagon is moving from prototype to pre‑production. That matters for German and Austrian buyers, dealers and factory workers: BMW is testing the Touring at a German proving ground and production is reportedly scheduled to start next summer, which would bring a Europe‑focused electric estate into showrooms in 2027.
What the spy shots reveal
The latest images and videos show a largely finished silhouette: only the nose and tail are heavily disguised while the doors, greenhouse and most of the roof run uncovered, giving a clear read on the Touring’s boxy, upright proportions and a longer, somewhat sloped tail compared with the i3 saloon. Photographers note M‑Sport bodywork on some test mules but no conclusive visual signs that this particular prototype is an M60 performance car.
Under the skin the Touring is expected to share hardware with the i3 sedan. Public reporting from BMW‑focused outlets cites the i3 50 xDrive figure set used for the saloon as a solid preview: two electric motors giving about 463 hp, a 108.7‑kWh net battery and 400‑kW peak DC charging that BMW rates capable of a rapid 10–80% top‑up in roughly 20–21 minutes. The sedan’s published WLTP figure — reported at around 900‑plus kilometres in First Edition form — is the benchmark analysts use when estimating the Touring’s range, though BMW will finalise the wagon’s official figures after aerodynamic and weight tests conclude.
Publish dates and photographer notes confirm the sightings have circulated since mid‑2026: the first clear spy photos appeared in July 2026, additional footage and high‑speed laps were published through October, and coverage continued in late October and early November as prototypes ran the Nordschleife. Those dates help explain BMW’s public timetable and expectations for a spring or early‑2027 debut followed by production ramp‑up the following summer.
How BMW is positioning the Touring
BMW’s Neue Klasse strategy aims to offer both saloon and estate body styles to keep European buyers interested in lower‑drag, high‑range EVs that still deliver everyday practicality. Spy coverage and independent reporting suggest BMW will slot the Touring close to the i3 sedan’s pricing — the i3 50 xDrive sedan started around €65,900 in Germany after the First Edition run — with a modest wagon premium to reflect extra sheetmetal and detail work. Exact trim, cargo and homologation figures are not yet published by BMW.
What this means for the market
For drivers in Germany and Austria the i3 Touring could reshape the mid‑premium estate segment by pairing genuine long‑range WLTP claims and very fast DC charging with the practicality of a wagon — an attractive combination for families and fleet buyers who prefer a low centre of gravity and a rear load area without stepping up to an SUV. Dealers should prepare for a Touring derivative to appear in order banks in early 2027 if BMW keeps its current timetable; production reporting points at Munich as the building site when volumes start next summer. That timing also matters for local suppliers and the Munich workforce as BMW shifts Neue Klasse capacity into full‑rate manufacture.
Until BMW publishes official specs and the Touring’s cargo numbers, the spy shots are our best visual guide: they show a nearly production‑ready body and underline BMW’s strategy to give European buyers a car that combines traditional Touring utility with Neue Klasse EV range and charging performance. Expect official images and full technical data from BMW before spring 2027.
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Sources: evo, BMWBlog, Carscoops, Auto Express
