BMW i3. Cool wagon coming soon.

The all-new BMW i3 has just been introduced, and there are already whispers about a wagon version. Something that was even teased during the reveal. While the sedan is expected to make its way to North America, the future of the wagon remains uncertain. And that’s where things get especially interesting… or just plain disappointing.

Unfortunately, the three years since the BMW Vision Neue Klasse first appeared have not been kind to the i3 sedan. The production design shares surprisingly little with that original vision.

What we see now feels like an attempt to graft a few Neue Klasse styling cues onto a shape that resembles an older BMW 3 Series. And not even the current one. The result is oddly familiar and unexpectedly conservative, lacking the boldness many had hoped for. Instead of a confident leap forward, the design feels stuck in an awkward middle ground. As if BMW hesitated at the last moment.

Ironically, the wagon could end up being the better-looking version. Without constant comparisons to the concept, and with more forgiving proportions, it may suit the Neue Klasse design language far more naturally. It could even prove more appealing than the somewhat awkward-looking BMW iX3, whose styling has already divided enthusiasts.

At this point, it seems BMW may have managed to please almost no one with the new i3. Fans of the concept will likely be disappointed by how toned-down the production model feels, while those who prefer BMW’s current design language may struggle with the new front-end treatment. It’s an unusual and uncomfortable position for the brand. Especially during such a critical transition to EVs.

Viewed in isolation, the car is not without merit. The proportions are acceptable, and the silhouette is still recognizably BMW. Though arguably with a less premium, slightly cheaper-looking execution. There’s a noticeable lack of the visual confidence the brand is known for in this segment. But the moment it’s placed next to the concept, the difference becomes impossible to ignore. The production model feels heavier, less refined, and visually older than expected.

The interior of a potential wagon will almost certainly mirror what we’ve already seen in BMW’s latest EVs: a highly digital cabin, large displays, a simplified dashboard, and very few physical controls.

If nothing else, one thing is clear: the oversized grille era appears to be over. And while the i3 sedan may not fully deliver on its original promise, the possibility of a sleek, well-proportioned electric wagon still offers a glimmer of hope for enthusiasts and wagon lovers alike.

Whether BMW chooses to build it, and more importantly bring it to the U.S., could ultimately shape how this new chapter is remembered.