More Practical: The BMW i3 Touring
BMW has begun testing prototypes of the upcoming i3 wagon, likely to be called the "Touring" when it reaches markets in late 2027. A spy photographer caught the new model testing in bad weather at Germany's Nürburgring.
The front design of the Touring will be identical to the i3 sedan, but everything behind the B-pillars will change, including the rear doors, taillights and bumper. The same approach carries over to the interior: The dashboard and front and rear seats are identical to those in the sedan, while the luggage compartment is slightly larger, making the wagon more practical overall.
Expected to arrive as the i3 Touring 50 xDrive, the wagon will reportedly produce 463 hp from electric motors mounted on both axles. Its 800-volt architecture supports vehicle-to-load, vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid charging. When the i3 needs to replenish its own battery, 400-kW DC fast charging can reportedly add up to 559 miles (900 kilometers) of range through a standard NACS port.
High-Performance, Electric Crossover: The Mercedes-AMG GLA EQ
At the end of July, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the standard GLA in full. The AMG division therefore has little reason to keep its performance GLA variant under heavy camouflage. A recent encounter shows the upcoming Mercedes-AMG GLA Electric with only light camouflage covering the front, rear and side skirts, where most of the aerodynamic upgrades are located.
The sportier front lip spoiler and traditional AMG grille are already visible, particularly after the recent debut of the AMG CLA 45. The side skirts appear to be wider, explaining the camouflage. At the rear, the prototype features several AMG-specific modifications, including a typical AMG diffuser and larger roof spoiler. The headlights are left exposed, indicating that they will carry over unchanged from the standard model.
Like its sedan counterpart, the AMG GLA Electric will use the MMA architecture rather than a dedicated AMG platform, with modifications intended to justify the AMG treatment. Those changes include a three-motor setup using axial-flux motors. If the AMG CLA 45 is any indication, the GLA could produce a similar 500 kW, or approximately 671 hp.
The AMG GLA prototype also retains the solid brake rotors seen on the AMG CLA 45. The crossover's taller, heavier body could have justified drilled rotors, but the additional weight apparently isn't enough to require them. The three performance motors also can provide significant regenerative braking, reportedly up to 300 kW.
The 0-to-62-mph acceleration time is expected to be impressive, although it will likely be slightly slower than the 2.7-second time reported for the AMG CLA 45. Thanks to its 800-volt architecture, the Mercedes-AMG GLA Electric will be able to recharge quickly after hard use on a racetrack. A 10%-to-80% charge is expected to take 22 minutes when connected to a DC fast charger capable of at least 442 mph or 330 kW.
Story and photos by Andreas Conradt, Automedia
