BMW has confirmed the upcoming 2027 i3 will not only arrive as a new electric sedan but will also be expanded to include a Touring (wagon) variant. However, the current i4 liftback model will be discontinued, with production ending next year. This strategic shift reflects BMW’s broader plan to streamline its electric vehicle (EV) lineup and align it with the next generation of Neue Klasse vehicles.
Phasing Out the i4, Embracing the i3
The decision to retire the i4 is tied to BMW’s evolving model strategy. The i3 and i4 both occupy the same mid-size segment, making the i4 redundant as BMW introduces the newer i3. According to BMW product boss Jochen Goller, this is a natural part of the automotive industry: “volumes of the existing cars… phasing out, and then [the new i3] clearly ramping up.”
The i4’s departure does not mean the end of its underlying design philosophy. BMW intends to continue offering a new 4 Series with both combustion and electric powertrains, effectively carrying the i4’s spirit forward in a different form. This includes the possibility of retaining the Gran Coupe liftback body style, though details are still unclear.
The Rise of the i3 Touring
The i3 Touring will enter production at BMW’s Munich plant after the i4’s production ends. Teaser images reveal a sleek wagon silhouette, mirroring the design language of the i3 sedan. The Touring will position itself below the larger i5 Touring in BMW’s electric wagon lineup, offering customers a more compact option.
Neue Klasse Platform and Performance
Both the i3 sedan and Touring will be built on BMW’s new Neue Klasse platform, which also underpins the upcoming iX3 SUV. The initial launch will feature a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration producing 345kW of power and 645Nm of torque. The i3 is expected to utilize a 108kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery, providing up to 900km of WLTP range—an increase of 95km over its SUV sibling.
Charging Capabilities
The i3 will support an 800V electrical architecture with fast charging at up to 400kW DC, adding up to 400km of range in just 10 minutes. AC charging will also be available at up to 22kW. Furthermore, the vehicle will feature bidirectional charging capabilities, including vehicle-to-load (V2L), vehicle-to-home (V2H), and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functionality.
BMW’s Unified Design Strategy
BMW is aligning its combustion and electric models under a unified design language. Future updates to the 3 Series, for example, will be substantial enough to be considered “basically a new car,” ensuring visual consistency across powertrains. This mirrors the approach taken with Mini, where ICE and EV versions of the Cooper hatch are nearly identical in appearance despite differing platforms.
In conclusion, BMW is actively reshaping its EV lineup, prioritizing the i3 as the future of its mid-size electric offerings. The discontinuation of the i4 and the introduction of the i3 Touring demonstrate a strategic move towards streamlining production and embracing the Neue Klasse platform for enhanced performance and design coherence.
