BMW’s electric 3 Series wagon is getting closer to reality, with a new spy video capturing the i3 Touring testing ahead of its expected debut next year. As the first electric 3 Series wagon, it will bring a completely fresh design language to a long-roof body style, giving buyers a practical alternative to the seemingly unstoppable SUV invasion.

The prototype was spotted testing near the Nürburgring, wearing camouflage at both ends. However, the disguise hides little now, suggesting BMW is getting closer to the final design. Logic tells us the front end should look virtually identical to the i3 Sedan, as BMW will likely carry it over to keep costs down. The changes occur from the B-pillar rearward to accommodate the longer roof and redesigned tailgate, giving the wagon its own identity.

But before the wraps come off, our rendering imagines what BMW is hiding beneath its typical black-and-white swirly camouflage. Judging by the spy video, the rear window no longer appears to open independently of the tailgate. That’s hardly a surprise, since the bigger 5 Series Touring has also lost this feature. When that happened, the company told us it wasn’t a cost-cutting measure, but a decision made for aerodynamics.

9-inch central touchscreen and the pillar-to-pillar projection at the base of the windshield. The so-called Panoramic Vision replaces the traditional instrument cluster with three fixed tiles in the driver’s line of sight, joined by six customizable widgets to the right. There’s also a new optional 3D head-up display, but the traditional iDrive knob is dying with every new model BMW launches.

Source link