If you liked the BMW iX3, but wished it came in a slightly sportier and less practical package, you’re in luck as spy photographers have snapped the new iX4.

Caught undergoing testing in Europe, the electric crossover follows in the footsteps of its more conservative SUV counterpart, the newly lauched iX3. This is clear up front as it adopts a vertical twin kidney grille that is flanked by the company’s new “horizontal light signature.”

Coupe-Inspired Proportions

Changes occur further back as the iX4 has a rakish windscreen that flows into a steeply sloping roof. The sportier design results in new doors and a shrunken down greenhouse. We can also see a rounded shoulder, which contrasts with squared off wheel arches.

More: New BMW iX4 Renderings Envision a Coupe-Back EV

The rear end is unique to the crossover coupe as there’s a special spoiler with an integrated third brake light, which doesn’t appear to be working on the prototype. The model also bucks the iX3 by eschewing a rear wiper.

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That being said, the rest of the design appears to echo its counterpart as we can see familiar taillights peeking out from beneath the camouflage. The rear bumper also looks similar, although it’s hard to be certain with all that camouflage.

Also: BMW’s Largest SUV Is About To Get A Lot More Interesting

Spy photographers didn’t get a glimpse inside, but the cabin should echo the iX3 and have a pillar-to-pillar Panoramic iDrive display as well as a 17.9-inch infotainment system. We can also expect a futuristic steering wheel, a 3D head-up display, and an intelligent personal assistant.

What Will It Deliver Underneath?

On the performance front, there should be an iX4 50 xDrive with a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing a combined output of 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS) and 476 lb-ft (645 Nm) of torque. This enables the iX3 to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 4.7 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h).

The motors are powered by a 108.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which provides a WLTP range of up to 500 miles (805 km). The impressive figures extend to the 400 kW DC fast charging capability, which enables the battery to go from a 10-80% charge in as little as 21 minutes.

We can also expect additional variants, which will be previewed by upcoming iX3 derivatives.

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The X5 has never been BMW’s wildest design, but it’s managed to avoid the extremes seen elsewhere in the lineup. Still, the oversized kidney grilles on the current model don’t do it many favors. They don’t sink the look entirely, but they certainly don’t flatter it either.

The good news is that a new generation is on the way, and early signs suggest a cleaner direction, along with a range of powertrain options that stretches well beyond what most would expect.

Read: BMW’s 2027 X5 Finally Shows Its Lights And What’s Hiding Inside

BMW has begun testing the upcoming X5, internally designated G65, and sent a prototype north to Sweden for winter trials. While still clad in camouflage, it’s already clear that the SUV will wear design elements from BMW’s Neue Klasse era.

Neue Klasse Meets X5

Like the second-generation iX3, the new X5 sports reworked headlights with sharply defined daytime running lights and a more technical front-end aesthetic. A gloss-black panel extends toward the center of the fascia, echoing the EV’s layout, and will house a pair of vertically oriented kidney grilles. Though still concealed by camouflage on this prototype, their shape is clearly visible beneath the surface.

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The rear end of the new X5 will also be a dramatic departure from the current model. It ditches the traditional taillights of the outgoing model and replaces them with thin, horizontal LED units that appear reminiscent of those used by the XM. This prototype also has a curvy rear spoiler stretching out above the window, adding to the striking new design.

Interior Changes

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The cabin is also in line for a thorough redesign. Recent spy shots have confirmed that the new X5 will adopt the same Panoramic iDrive setup as the iX3. This includes a narrow display spanning the base of the A-pillars, paired with a sharply angled central infotainment screen.

While the steering wheel on this prototype may differ from the iX3’s squared-off four-spoke unit, it looks likely to use a more conventional two-spoke design, with enough visual weight to stand out on its own.

Powertrain Options

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Beneath it all, the G65 X5 will continue to ride on BMW’s CLAR architecture, albeit in an updated form. This means a familiar chassis with enough flexibility to support combustion, hybrid, and electric variants without needing to reinvent the platform.

According to CarScoops sources, the combustion model will be sold in 40, 40 xDrive, 40d xDrive, 50e xDrive, M60 xDrive, and M60e xDrive forms. A potent X5 M version also seems inevitable. In addition to selling a slew of combustion-powered models, the brand will introduce an all-electric iX5 model, set to be sold in 50 xDrive, 60 xDrive, and M70 xDrive forms.

The powertrain options won’t end there. In addition to the gas, diesel, plug-in hybrid, and electric models, there could be a range-extended version of the iX5, dubbed the Rex, complete with a driving range of up to 621 miles (1,000 km). The new X5 will also be BMW’s first mass-market model available with a hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain.

The all-electric BMW M3 is no longer just a concept talked about in forums or teased through obscure patents. It’s taking shape in the real world, and these latest spy shots give us the clearest view yet of BMW’s upcoming super sedan.

The idea of an all-electric M3 might ruffle a few feathers among traditionalists, but there’s little need for panic. Alongside this electric version, BMW will continue to offer a combustion-powered M3 that carries over the same twin-turbo inline-six as the current model without being fully hybridized. Purists won’t be left out in the cold.

Read: The Electric M3 Ushers In A New Era Of BMW Design

The electric version, possibly named iM3, will be built on the new i3 platform that’s set to debut next year as BMW’s reimagined electric 3-Series sedan. As with that car, the M variant will follow BMW’s Neue Klasse design philosophy.

That includes abandoning the current M3’s polarizing grille in favor of something sleeker and, arguably, more cohesive.

Stephen Hancock

Judging by the latest prototype, the headlights look close to production spec. The daytime running lights are integrated cleanly into the headlight units and line up precisely with the redesigned kidney grilles.

There’s a strong sense of alignment here, literally and visually, something that hasn’t always been a given with recent BMWs.

It’s also hard not to be taken aback by just how beefy this prototype looks. Both the front and rear wheel arches sit nice and wide, giving it an ultra-aggressive look, perfectly fitting of an M-branded model. It may not sound as good as the current M3, but it’s definitely shaping up to have just as much visual presence.

What Will Power It?

Then there’s the matter of performance. We know that BMW is developing an electric powertrain with four motors for the new model, and has said its setup can deliver up to 1,341 hp.

That said, it’s unlikely the production model will hit those numbers. BMW is expected to limit output to around 700 hp, which keeps it safely below the upcoming electric M5 and maintains a performance hierarchy within the lineup.

Even so, with that kind of power it would comfortably outpace the next-generation combustion M3, which is projected to land somewhere near 550 hp. That performance edge could be a major talking point once both cars hit the road.

One key tradeoff will be weight. Spy shots from earlier this year suggest the electric M3 could come in as much as 465 kg, or 1,025 lbs, heavier than the current petrol version. That’s a significant increase, and how BMW balances that extra mass with chassis tuning will be crucial to the car’s driving character.

Stephen Hancock

The BMW iX1 will turn four years old in May, but major changes are in store as a Neue Klasse version is in the works. It promises to be a radical departure that ushers in some new technology we’ve already seen on the iX3.

More: BMW’s 2027 X5 Finally Shows Its Lights And What’s Hiding Inside

Spied at a charging station, the crossover adopts an all-new front end with a slender twin kidney grille. It’s accompanied by lighting units that closely recall those found on the iX3.

Further below, we can see a wide central intake that eschews the vertical element found on its larger counterpart. The bumper also appears pretty curvaceous, which should help to improve the model’s aerodynamics.

Moving down the sides, there are pronounced wheel arches and streamlined bodywork. We can also see flush-mounted door handles and a familiar greenhouse.

The rear end is heavily disguised, but there’s a new liftgate with a license plate recess that has been moved closer to the bumper. The model also sports a flatter spoiler and a more rounded design.

The Neue Klasse design continues inside the cabin, which has been equipped with Panoramic iDrive. It features a pillar-to-pillar display at the base of the windscreen as well as a freestanding infotainment system, which presumably measures 17.9 inches.

Elsewhere, we can see a new center console with a shifter and controls that appear to be lifted directly from the iX3. Additional details are hard to make out, but the crossover has a camera-mounted on the rearview mirror.

While it was initially believed BMW was working on a Neue Klasse facelift for the X1 lineup, this appears to be a redesigned iX1. This suggests the ICE and EV variants will diverge in a similar fashion to the X3 and iX3.

As a result, the connections to the iX3 will be more than skin deep and the two models will likely share a lot in common. This should include an 800V architecture, cylindrical-cell battery packs, and efficient electric motors.

We’ll likely get a better idea of what to expect once BMW rolls out additional versions of the iX3. So far, we’ve only seen the 50 xDrive variant, which has a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing a combined output of 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS) and 476 lb-ft (645 Nm) of torque. The model also sports a 108.7 kWh battery pack, which provides a WLTP range of up to 500 miles (805 km).

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BMW engineers are burning the midnight oil to prepare a wave of 40 new or refreshed “Neue Klasse” models by the close of 2027. Among them is the next-generation X7, recently caught in fresh spy shots out of Germany.

At first glance, the camouflaged prototype might pass for a routine facelift, but the changes run far deeper, pointing clearly to a full generational shift. The current X7, launched in 2018, already underwent a mid-cycle refresh in 2022, so this next step arrives on schedule.

More: BMW’s Next Boss Already Has 40 New Models On His Plate

Unlike other Neue Klasse entries, the X7 will keep its distinctive split LED headlight setup, now framing what appears to be an even larger kidney grille. The headlights themselves are smaller and sit lower on a redesigned bumper that features more squared-off intakes.

In profile, the new X7 adopts cleaner surfacing along its pronounced fenders, and the conventional door handles give way to slim fins that likely improve aero. The glasshouse remains largely familiar, although the D-pillar looks set to adopt a more pronounced take on the Hofmeister kink.

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At the rear, heavy camouflage hides the design, and the prototype still wears placeholder taillights. These will almost certainly be swapped for full-width units in production, borrowing cues from the smaller iX3 Neue Klasse and what’s coming for the next X5 and iX5.

Tech Upgrades and Interior Overhaul

Inside, BMW is expected to introduce the Panoramic Vision display, running across the base of the windshield. It will be joined by a larger central touchscreen, an upgraded AI assistant, and a new-look steering wheel with a more concept-like aesthetic.

More: Two New Premium Contenders Are Coming For The G-Class

Processing capabilities will get a serious upgrade courtesy of BMW’s new “Superbrains,” the central computing architecture that acts as the vehicle’s digital backbone.

The X7 will continue offering a seven-seat, three-row layout, one of the key factors setting it apart from other BMW SUVs and placing it in direct competition with the Mercedes-Benz GLS and Volvo’s EX90 and XC90.

Electric and Gasoline Together

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The latest prototype spotted on the road features quad round tailpipes and sits on sizable alloy wheels, pointing to a mild-hybrid V8 powertrain, likely in an M-badged variant. That said, earlier prototypes confirmed that the new generation will also include a fully electric iX7 model for the first time.

More: New i3 And 3-Series Reveal BMW’s Most Striking Split Yet

In contrast to BMW’s smaller models, where combustion and electric variants ride on separate platforms, the X7 and iX7 will share the same architecture. This will reportedly be a development of the current CLAR platform, adjusted to support both traditional and EV setups.

The lineup is also expected to include high-output variants from both BMW M and Alpina, with the electric versions possibly delivering up to 900 horsepower, according to our sources.

BMW hasn’t locked in a release date for the next X7 and iX7, but the roadmap suggests a 2027 launch. Both models will be built in BMW’s Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, alongside the X3, X5, X6, XM, and a brand-new rugged SUV aimed squarely at the Mercedes G-Class.

Below, you’ll find a speculative rendering of the next-generation X7, created by our own Josh Byrnes.

Illustration Josh Byrnes / Carscoops

BMW is working on 40 new or updated models and that includes the redesigned 3-Series and 3-Series EV, known as the i3. Both were recently spied undergoing testing and they sport some notable differences.

While both cars have a Neue Klasse front end, the gas-powered model has a prominent lower intake that appears to have an active shutter grille. The lower bumper on the i3 is covered by camouflaged mesh, but it should feature a similar setup.

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

More notable differences are revealed in the comparison images as we can see the two models have different rooflines. The i3’s is relatively flat, while the 3-Series has a subtle slope.

We can also see slightly different greenhouses with diverging rear door designs. The ICE-powered model has a nearly vertical partition, while the EV has a more angular design with a triangular base. Furthermore, both cars have unique rear quarter glass.

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Even something as mundane as the location of the charging/fuel door is different. On the 3-Series, it’s located towards the front of the rear fender and sits slightly above the top of the rear taillights. This contrasts with the i3, which has a charging port that is located lower and towards the middle of the panel.

All of this suggests a lot of manufacturing complexity and few shared components – at least on the outside. Speaking of which, spy photographers did get a glimpse of the cabin and it shows a freestanding display and a new steering wheel.

The rest of the interior is covered by black cloth, but one of the images clearly shows a pillar-to-pillar Panoramic iDrive display at the base of the windshield.

Powertrain details remain scarce, but the i3 should follow in the footsteps of the iX3. The crossover is being launched in 50 xDrive guise, which features a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing a combined output of 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS) and 476 lb-ft (645 Nm) of torque.

This enables the model to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.9 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h).

The motors are powered by a 108.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which provides a WLTP range of up to 500 miles (805 km). The impressive numbers extend to the 400 kW DC fast charging capability, which enables the battery to go from a 10-80% charge in as little as 21 minutes.

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BMW has already confirmed further electric variants will follow including an entry-level model with rear-wheel drive. It’s likely that a number of these powertrains will be shared with the i3.

The 3-Series will be more evolutionary as it will ride on an updated version of the CLAR platform. However, previous reports have suggested we can expect an updated engine lineup including a new M350 with over 400 hp (298 kW / 406 PS).

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Update: Not long after the first prototype of BMW’s upcoming iX4 was caught testing out in the open, digital artists wasted no time trying to imagine what the final production model might look like. The early spy shots offer just enough visual clues to fuel some well-informed renderings, even as BMW keeps the real details under wraps.

More: This BMW M7 Super Sedan Is Too Good To Be Real

With its close ties to the new iX3, connecting the dots isn’t especially difficult, though a few surprises may still surface in the finer details, particularly around the taillights.

Illustrations Sugar Design

These digital interpretations from Sugar Design present a convincing idea of BMW’s next electric crossover, a model positioned squarely against one of the world’s best-selling EVs, the Tesla Model Y.

Both share a similar overall silhouette, marked by a hatchback-style arched roofline and a steeply slanted rear window that lends the iX4 a more dynamic profile, though the BMW shows more individuality in its detailing, particularly around the front fascia.

Original story continues below.

Illustrations Sugar Design

The aging X4 will bow out of production later this month, closing the chapter on BMW’s internal-combustion SUV coupe without a direct ICE successor. Yet the story doesn’t end there.

BMW is already working on a replacement, but it reimagines the formula for the electric age. The all-new iX4 is designed as a sportier counterpart to its square-roof sibling, the Neue Klasse iX3.

Our spy photographers captured the first camouflaged prototype during development testing. At a glance, the iX4 appears to borrow its front end from the iX3, including the headlights, grille, bumper, hood, and fenders.

From the B-pillar rearwards, though, the bodywork tells a different story. The profile has been reworked with a sloping roofline that flows into a fastback-style tail.

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The rear glass is more steeply angled than on the outgoing X4 and carries a discreet spoiler at its tip. Its sportier posture is further accentuated by broader, muscular rear shoulders that appear cleaner and more sculpted than those of the smaller, boxier X2 and iX2.

At the rear, the iX4 features slim LED taillights positioned close together, while the license plate has been relocated to the bumper. The prototype sits on ten-spoke alloy wheels with a diamond-cut finish, though it remains uncertain whether this design will make it to the production version.

Although exact dimensions remain unconfirmed, the iX4 is expected to be marginally longer than the new iX3, which measures 188.3 inches (4,783 mm), while maintaining the same 114.1-inch (2,898 mm) wheelbase. It may also improve upon the iX3’s already low drag coefficient of 0.24 cd.

Inside, the iX4 will mirror the iX3 almost entirely, keeping the same layout, sans some headroom for the rear passengers.

More: BMW M’s iX3 Is Hiding Something Under Its Hood

That means BMW’s Panoramic iDrive stretching pillar to pillar, a 17.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and an optional 3D head-up display, all running on the new BMW Operating System X.

The new model will be built on the Neue Klasse architecture, meaning it will be offered exclusively as a battery-electric vehicle. Its powertrain range is expected to mirror that of the iX3.

More: BMW’s X1 Will Get A Radical Makeover With Neue Klasse Style And Tech

Currently, the iX3 50 xDrive delivers 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS) through dual electric motors, while future variants are expected to include single-motor rear-wheel-drive options and higher-performance M-badged versions.

The BMW iX4 is expected to debut in late 2026. It will be the second fully electric coupe SUV from the Bavarian company, following the iX2 that was introduced in 2023. A larger iX6 is also rumored to follow at a later stage.

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