Update: It’s the weekend, which means time to sharpen our digital pencils and let the imagination run a little wild. We’ve put together a rendering of the next-generation 2028 A4 e-tron, offering a glimpse at how Audi’s design playbook could evolve, shaped by recent remarks from the brand’s CEO.

Borrowing design cues from the latest Concept C and the A5, our rendering imagines a clean, minimalist sedan that ties the classic A4 proportions to Audi’s next generation EV identity. Of course, the final design could take a different turn, particularly in the profile or rear styling, but until test prototypes hit public roads, this remains our most grounded prediction. The original story continues below.

BMW and Mercedes are preparing to roll out electric takes on their best-selling 3-Series and C-Class, known respectively as the i3 and C-Class EQ Tech models. That leaves Audi in an unusual position, with a lineup already heavy in electric crossovers and soon to expand even further with the Q2, yet still lacking an affordable electric sedan.

And as history has shown, when one German premium automaker changes course, the others quickly follow, sparking another round of competition on the autobahn.

More: Audi’s Concept C Previews A Porsche-Linked Sports Car Coming Sooner Than You Think

That’s expected to happen in 2028 with the debut of the all-new A4 e-tron. Besides reviving the classic name, the electric sedan will reportedly bring a new platform and a sharper design influenced by the Concept C, distinguishing it from the more conservatively styled ICE-powered A5 that replaced the previous A4 in the lineup.

VW Underpinnings and Rivian Tech

According to Autocar, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner confirmed the A4 e-tron will ride on the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), which will also be used on several other Volkswagen Group vehicles. These are said to include the next-generation Golf as well as the Skoda Octavia and Cupra’s flagship crossover.

While little is known about the platform, it should be more advanced than the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture that underpins the Porsche Macan Electric as well as the A6 and Q6 e-trons.

Also: Audi Backtracks On Odd-Even Naming Plan For ICE And EVs

The A4 e-tron could also become the first Audi to use software developed in partnership with Rivian. This is supposed to pave the way for “software-defined vehicles” that become “more intelligent, more sustainable, and more enjoyable over time.”

Döllner told the publication, “We are heavily working on it with the Rivian-Volkswagen joint venture, building up mules right now and working intensively together, so the first cars are already on their way.” He suggested the software will debut in two new vehicles and help to reduce complexity.

More: Mercedes Previews C-Class EV With A Face That’s Bound To Start Fights

Beyond the technical overhaul, the A4 e-tron will adopt the new ‘Audi brand face.’ This means we can expect a minimalist front fascia that features a rectangular grille with a portrait orientation. It will likely be flanked by slender four-element headlights, as Audi has previously said they’ll define their visual identity.

Little else is known about the car at this point, but Döllner suggested we can expect “less virtual buttons” and more dedicated switchgear. As he noted, that’s what customers prefer, and it’s hard to argue with that.

Sources: Autocar

BMW’s largest crossover is set for its biggest makeover yet, bringing a heavy redesign that leans into the Neue Klasse school of design. Codenamed G67, the next X7 is also set to spawn an all-electric iX7 variant for the very first time.

More: BMW’s New 3 Series Faces Its Most Defining Transformation In 50 Years

Our spies behind the lens have snapped the new X7 testing out in the wild, but that hasn’t stopped us from decoding the camouflage to give you a sneak peek as to what Bavaria’s next luxury SUV will look like. Read on as we break down everything we’ve uncovered so far.

Neue Klasse Curves

Controversially, the X7 retains its split-headlamp array, with the DRLs mounted high up against the hood line, whilst the main beams are repositioned into squarer units lower down. The redesigned twin kidneys remain equally as bold as before, but now feature lighting elements in place of chrome and the lower intake is more rectangular in shape.

More: Is Your BMW About To Feel Old Overnight? Neue Klasse Facelifts Say Yes

Where the Neue Klasse aesthetic really takes hold is in the side profile, where the front and rear fenders, along with the smooth, flush surfacing, draw clear parallels to the recently revealed iX3.

Baldauf

Conventional door handles are gone, replaced by subtle ‘winglets’ that rise from the beltline in a style reminiscent of the Mustang Mach-E. The rear quarter glass is a pinch larger and has more of that traditional ‘Hofmeister kink’ than other recent BMWs.

The rear will retain the split tailgate, and the taillights will be slimmer LED units. M-performance variants will sport quad tailpipes, while the all-electric iX7 will have a different lower valance to reflect its petroleum-free powertrain.

Panoramic Vision

Inside, BMW will introduce its Panoramic iDrive infotainment system in the new X7: a pillar-to-pillar display at the base of the windshield with customizable sections for both core driver information and passenger entertainment.

More: AMG’s New Electric Hyper Sedan Wants To Silence The Competition With Over 1300 Explosive Horses

This is accompanied by a 3D Head-Up Display and a large central touch display for key infotainment functions, though traditionalists ergonomics advocates alike may lament the removal of the physical iDrive rotary controller.

Other interior touches will likely follow the new iX3 in terms of cleaner surfacing and reduced clutter, but will use more glass inlays, atmospheric ambient lighting, and premium materials.

Improved driver assistance features include hands-off capabilities for motorway driving and City Assist with traffic light detection, which allows the car to stop and then resume movement automatically.

Platform and Powertrains

Underneath it all, the X7 will continue to use a heavily updated version of BMW’s CLAR architecture (Cluster Architecture). Expect adaptive air suspension with adaptive dampers, possibly including rear-axle steering and active anti-roll control.

Alongside petrol and diesel engines, there will be an electric iX7 variant for the first time. Using the iX3 as a guide, we can expect a dual-motor version pumping out 463 hp (345 kW).

SHProshots

If that’s not enough, a thumping 800-horsepower M70 is on the roster, alongside an even more powerful Alpina option. As our own Chris Chilton reports, the system will use an 800-volt architecture with a 110 kWh cylindrical-cell battery pack.

Expect the B58 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology to continue, alongside the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 derived from the S68. The 40d xDrive inline-six diesel will also return for markets where oil-burners remain popular.

Rivals and Reveal

Primary rivals include the Mercedes-Benz GLS, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, and Audi’s upcoming flagship, the Q9. Other competitors include the Genesis GV90, the Lexus LX, the Range Rover, the Cadillac Escalade IQ, the Infiniti QX80, and the Lincoln Navigator.

More: BMW Is About To Kill Off Three Long Running Models

An official reveal is scheduled for sometime between late 2026 and early 2027, with production set to commence shortly thereafter. Both the X7 and the iX7 will be produced at BMW’s Spartanburg assembly plant in South Carolina.

What do you think of the X7’s Neue Klasse-inspired look? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Update: A lot has happened since we last looked at the future G50 3 Series. Thanks to new renderings, fresh intel, and the latest spy shots, we now have the clearest picture yet of how Munich’s defining sports sedan is set to evolve in its next generation.

Sedans may no longer dominate sales charts in an SUV-driven world, but the3-Series still has plenty of road left ahead of it. This compact executive four-door has been a pillar of BMW’s lineup for fifty years, valued as much for its reputation as for the way it drives.

Also: BMW Is About To Kill Off Three Models

The next chapter begins in 2026, when a new generation arrives in two distinct forms: the all-electric i3, codenamed NA0, and the traditional internal-combustion 3 Series, codenamed G50. If that sounds familiar, it’s because BMW’s been work-shopping this approach with their bigger sedans, the i5/5-Series and i7/7-Series.

The 3 Series and its EV sibling are now set to follow the same playbook, giving customers a choice between conventional gasoline power and fully electric performance.

Spied And Rendered

Illustrations Kelsonik / Kolesa

Recent spy shots of prototypes have revealed both gas-powered and fully electric versions of the next-gen 3-Series. While both share the “Neue Klasse” design language, the differences in proportions are telling.

The ICE testers feature a slightly longer hood, a sharper dash-to-axle ratio, and a more upright windshield. These elements combined make it look less like a complete EV-inspired redesign and more like an extensively reworked version of the current G20-generation BMW 3-Series.

These sightings have inspired digital artists Theottle and Kelsonic from Kolesa to create their own renderings of the next 3 Series, each offering an early glimpse of how the sedan’s styling might evolve.

More: BMW Almost Launched An All-Electric Hypercar With 1,300 HP

BMW’s signature shark-nose design returns with a sharper, more athletic edge, framed by a fresh take on the kidney grilles. Slimmer and wider than on today’s models, the grilles now stretch across the front and now double as housing for sensors and tech that support advanced driver-assistance features. A deeper front bumper and lightly flared fenders complete the look, adding some muscle without drifting into excess.

Flush door handles bring the styling in line with BMW’s latest clean-surfaced aesthetic, while the greenhouse and Hofmeister kink stay intact.

The next generation of the BMW 3-Series sedan (Photos: SHProshots)

The BMW i3 Neue Klasse sedan.

Out back, heavy camouflage forces a little guesswork. Theottle’s rendering draws from the 2023 Vision Neue Klasse concept, with a full-width light bar and crisp LED signatures, while Kelsonic’s interpretation borrows slimmer light units reminiscent of the production iX3. Lower down, both envision sportier bumpers inspired by BMW’s M division, in line with prototypes wearing large alloys, upgraded brakes, and quad tailpipes.

Tech Blueprint From The iX3

While we have yet to get a glimpse of the 3-Series prototype’s interior during development testing, we have a pretty good idea of what to expect, largely thanks to the new iX3 that serves as the blueprint for BMW’s next generation of models.

At the center is the new Panoramic iDrive system that replaces the traditional instrument cluster with a wide digital display stretching across the full width of the dashboard. It places essentials like speed and electric range directly in the driver’s line of sight while allowing the rest of the information to be tailored to both driver and passenger. The screen itself is divided into three flexible sections, each configurable to suit individual preferences.

BMW will also offer an optional head-up display with animated guidance that counts down to the next turn. The setup is joined by a large, asymmetrically shaped infotainment touchscreen on the center console and a handful of physical switches for everyday functions.

Two Platforms, Two Paths

Unlike the i5/5-Series and i7/7-Series, where BMW paired EVs and ICE models on the same platform, the i3 and 3-Series are believed to head down different paths.

The all-electric i3 sedan will ride on the Neue Klasse architecture, shared with the upcoming iX3 SUV, while the combustion-powered 3-Series will reportedly stick to the CLAR platform, which also underpins the forthcoming G45 X3. This would explain the differences in proportions and styling details we see in the i3 and ICE 3-Series prototypes here.

More: BMW’s Next M350 Is Getting A Major Design Overhaul

Based on what we’ve seen with the mechanically related X3, the next-gen 3-Series will likely offer mild-hybrid upgrades of BMW’s proven 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 3.0-liter inline-six, with the latter forming the heart of the next M350. Both should see gains in efficiency and power over today’s units.

A Mild-Hybrid M3 Is In The Cards

Interestingly, even the mighty M3 isn’t immune to electrification. However, as BMW officials told us in a recent trip, the next M3 will forego the heavy plug-in hybrid setup of the M5, instead opting for a lighter mild-hybrid system. This should provide outputs in excess of the current ratings of 473 hp, 503 hp, and 523 hp, depending on whether you’re looking at the standard car, the Competition, or the Competition xDrive, not to mention the inevitable special editions.

More: 2027 BMW iM3 EV Begins Testing, Could Pack Over 700 HP

Meanwhile, for those following BMW’s EV push, a quad-motor all-electric counterpart to the M3, possibly called the iM3, is already under development. With over 700 horsepower and near instant torque, it promises tire-melting lunacy for the brave few. And there may be more to come, as BMW has hinted the setup could be pushed past 1,300 horsepower, though whether that kind of excess ever makes it to production in some form of a special edition is another story.

The downside is weight, and plenty of it, as spy shots suggest the electric M3 could be at least 465 kg (1,025 lbs) heavier than today’s car. Hardly surprising, then, if carbon-ceramic brakes show up on the options list, just as they do on the current M3 and M4.

When Will They Arrive?

The current G20-generation BMW 3-Series first graced the stage in 2018, with minor facelifts arriving in 2022 and 2024. BMW has already confirmed the electric i3 for next year, and while it hasn’t given a timeline for the ICE 3 Series, it will most likely be introduced in 2026 as a 2027 model year, with the actual market launch possibly slipping into 2027.

John Halas contributed to this story.

Illustrations by Theottle / YouTube and Kelsonic / Autoreview

BMW’s Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) updates often slip in with quiet exterior tweaks, the kind you might miss if you blink. This time, though, the brand seems to be shifting gears with the X1. Instead of modest changes, the entry-level SUV, or SAV in BMW terminology, is headed for a radical redesign that also transforms the interior.

With influences from BMW’s Neue Klasse design language making their way in, it raises the question: is this really a facelift, or does it mark the start of a fresh generation, like what we saw with the 1-Series?

More: The iX3 Is BMW’s Neue Klasse Future Now With A Surprising Price Tag

Recent sightings of heavily camouflaged prototypes have already hinted at the direction, and now we have a clearer picture. Using those spy shots as a base, digital artist Nikita Chuiko from Kolesa has created new renderings of the next X1. These visuals provide us with a fairly accurate preview.

A Sharper Face

The refreshed SUV will carry BMW’s new front-end identity, featuring a slimmer kidney grille and sharper LED headlights that echo the look of the new iX3. The bumper, hood, and fenders will be redesigned too, softening some of the current model’s aggressive lines, especially those emphasized in the M Sport trim.

The sheet metal on the profile won’t be identical, with the X1 gaining pop-out door handles, sleeker surfacing and more aerodynamic mirrors. The greenhouse should be carried over, but there could be a few changes on the D-pillar that remained covered in the prototypes. Finally, BMW designers will add new options for the alloy wheels, contributing to a more modern stance.

Changes At The Rear

The tail will also mark a stylistical departure from the current X1. The L-shaped taillights will give way to elongated units separated by the BMW emblem and the license plate will be positioned lower on the tailgate, unlike the iX3 where it is mounted on the bumper.

Inside the Neue Klasse

The X1’s interior won’t miss out on the Neue Klasse treatment either and will gain the new Panoramic iDrive cockpit with a slim display covering the base of the windshield. There will also be a larger infotainment touchscreen with a trapezoidal shape, although we don’t know whether it will match the 17.9-inch diameter of the iX3’s. The new layout will most likely be combined with a four-spoke steering wheel and new options for the upholstery.

Under The Hood

The X1 already covers a wide spectrum of powertrains, from mild hybrids to plug-in hybrid and the fully electric iX1. These options are expected to remain, but with incremental improvements in efficiency and performance.

The fully electric iX1 is currently available in FWD and AWD forms with a range between 415-475 km (257-295 miles), but BMW might want to improve those figures amid the fierce competition from newer rivals. This could be achieved with new battery packs, more efficient electric motors, and better aerodynamics.

When Will It Arrive?

The third generation of the BMW X1 was introduced in mid-2022, meaning it is already three years old. According to earlier reports, the mid-lifecycle update would debut in 2027. However, given the prototype activity and BMW’s ambitious product strategy, a 2026 debut seems increasingly likely.

More: BMW’s New i3 Sedan Is Coming For Tesla’s Blood

Munich has confirmed the launch of 40 new or updated models with Neue Klasse styling and technology by 2027. BMW AG’s Chairman of the Board of Management Oliver Zipse has stated that every model that will arrive from 2026 onward will be new. It remains to be seen whether the next iteration of the X1 will be labeled as an extensive facelift or a new generation.

BMW