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BMW iX4 Spy Shots Signal the End of the X4 as We Know It

BMW’s X4 has always lived a slightly rebellious life. It took the sensible, upright X3 formula and leaned hard into style, sacrificing a bit of practicality for a sleeker roofline and sportier attitude. Now, that rebellious streak is taking a much bigger leap. Freshly spotted camouflaged prototypes in Germany confirm what BMW has been hinting at for some time: the next-generation X4 won’t burn gasoline at all.

Meet the BMW iX4.

Internally known as NA7, the iX4 marks a clean break from the combustion-powered X4 “G02” and becomes BMW’s first all-electric Sports Activity Coupe. More importantly, it’s built on the brand-new Neue Klasse platform, which is set to underpin BMW’s next decade of electric vehicles. This isn’t an EV adaptation—it’s a ground-up rethink.

Even through heavy camouflage, the iX4’s intent is crystal clear. Compared to the outgoing X4, the prototype looks lower, wider, and noticeably more aggressive. The profile is sharper and more rakish, with muscular fenders that give it a planted, almost squat stance. If the current X4 sometimes felt like an X3 wearing a fastback costume, the iX4 looks like it was designed as a coupe from day one.

Up front, the iX4 shares obvious DNA with the upcoming iX3 (internal code NA5). The proportions and surface language suggest a strong family resemblance, but the real visual drama happens from the B-pillars back. That’s where BMW leans hardest into the “coupe” part of Sports Activity Coupe.

The roofline tapers dramatically, squeezing the greenhouse and emphasizing the sloping silhouette. There’s still a quarter window—BMW clearly wants to maintain some visual continuity with the iX3—but it’s much smaller here. The message is clear: this is not the practical choice in the lineup. Anyone hoping for traditional SUV headroom and cargo volume should recalibrate expectations. Rear-seat headroom will be tighter, and the trunk won’t match the boxier iX3. As always with this body style, form wins over function.

One subtle but fascinating detail revealed by the spy shots is found at the rear. The iX4 appears to feature a horizontal cutout integrated into the tailgate spoiler, likely housing the third brake light. That’s a departure from BMW’s usual placement at the top of the rear glass and suggests the designers are experimenting with both aerodynamics and visual identity. It’s a small touch, but it hints at how seriously BMW is rethinking familiar elements under Neue Klasse.

The prototype also rides on a new two-tone wheel design, while flush door handles—already seen on the iX3—carry over here. They’re not just a styling flourish; they help reduce drag, which matters more than ever on an EV shaped like a fastback.

Inside, the iX4 won’t offer much nostalgia for current X4 owners. The cabin is expected to closely mirror that of the iX3, which means a wholesale move away from BMW’s traditional control layout. The iconic iDrive rotary controller is gone, along with most physical buttons. In their place is a clean, minimalist dashboard dominated by a massive 17.9-inch central touchscreen.

That screen runs BMW’s new iDrive X system, which introduces one of the brand’s boldest interior ideas yet: Panoramic Vision. Instead of a conventional head-up display, information is projected across the lower portion of the windshield. Three fixed tiles sit directly in the driver’s line of sight, with six additional customizable widgets extending to the right. It’s a radical change in how information is presented—and one that will likely divide BMW traditionalists while appealing to tech-forward buyers.

Materials, design language, and overall ambience should closely follow the iX3, emphasizing sustainability, simplicity, and digital integration over old-school driver-centric theatrics. Whether that feels like progress or heresy will depend on how attached you are to BMW’s analog past.

BMW isn’t rushing this one. The iX4 is expected to make its official debut around summer 2026, with production rumored to begin in November of that year at BMW’s new Debrecen plant in Hungary. That timeline gives the company ample opportunity to fine-tune the Neue Klasse platform—and to convince skeptics that an electric X4 isn’t a compromise, but an evolution.

One thing is certain: the days of the gas-powered X4 are numbered. And judging by what these prototypes are already showing, BMW isn’t quietly phasing it out. It’s replacing it with something sharper, bolder, and unapologetically electric.

Photos: @werner_g90_718

NEW CARS

2026 BMW iX4: The Sportier Side of BMW’s 500-Mile Electric SUV Game

BMW’s sleek, coupe-roofed crossover is getting the electric treatment. The third-generation BMW X4, long the brand’s more extroverted sibling to the practical X3, is reinventing itself for the EV era as the BMW iX4—a fastback variant of the upcoming iX3 that promises over 500 miles of range on a single charge.

Prototypes of the new iX4 have been caught testing ahead of a global debut expected early next year, marking a major milestone for BMW: this will be the first X4 to ditch internal combustion altogether. Since its debut in 2014, the X4 has relied exclusively on petrol and diesel powertrains. Now, it’s fully electric and positioned to blend long-distance efficiency with signature BMW dynamics.

Coupe Style, Electric Substance

Visually, the iX4 closely mirrors its iX3 counterpart, sharing BMW’s latest electric design language—clean surfaces, subtle aero tweaks, and a wide stance—but the dramatically raked roofline sets it apart. The coupe silhouette enhances its sporty appeal while shaving off a few aerodynamic drag points, which in turn adds a touch more range.

That sleekness does come at a cost: rear headroom is expected to be tighter than in the iX3, but BMW believes the trade-off will appeal to style-conscious buyers looking for an EV with presence and performance.

Big Range, Bigger Ambitions

BMW is targeting more than 500 miles per charge, a figure that, if achieved, could make the iX4 the longest-range EV on sale in the UK—at least until the equally new i3 saloon arrives to challenge it on the same platform.

Like the iX3, the iX4 will ride on BMW’s Neue Klasse architecture with an 800-volt electrical system, supporting 400kW DC fast charging. That means you’ll be able to top up from 10 to 80 percent in well under 20 minutes when plugged into the right charger.

Performance to Match the Look

Under the skin, expect the familiar dual-motor setup found in the iX3 50 xDrive. Together, the front and rear motors deliver a combined 464 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, propelling the SUV from 0 to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds. That puts the iX4 in the same league as the current M40i—but with zero tailpipe emissions and a much lower center of gravity thanks to its battery pack.

BMW’s engineers are reportedly fine-tuning the chassis for sharper turn-in and better weight distribution than before, aiming to keep the X4’s traditional “sport activity coupe” personality alive in electric form.

Tech-Forward Interior

Inside, the iX4 is expected to showcase BMW’s next-generation panoramic iDrive system, headlined by a massive 17.9-inch infotainment touchscreen seamlessly integrated below a full-width driver display that spans the base of the windshield. The setup hints at a future where HUD and traditional screens blur together. Expect minimalist materials, sustainable trim options, and a design that favors clean lines over clutter.

Farewell to the Old Guard

Production of the outgoing, combustion-powered X4 is set to wrap up within weeks, clearing the decks for the electric newcomer. The timing couldn’t be better—BMW is doubling down on its EV rollout, and the iX4 is poised to become a flagship for the brand’s blend of efficiency, luxury, and driver engagement.

If the prototypes deliver on their promise, the 2026 BMW iX4 could emerge not just as a stylish alternative to the iX3, but as one of the most capable long-range EVs on the market—and perhaps the most complete expression yet of BMW’s electrified future.

Source: Autocar