The camouflaged BMW prototype you see here is interesting for two reasons. First of all, this is our first look at the next generation X4 and we can see some notable differences in the design. Second, it’s probably not an X4, but an electric iX4. Let’s take a closer look.
No doubt we’re looking at a sporty coupe version of the X3. The proportions are just right, and in the profile view, we can see many evolutionary interpretations of the current model. The belt line, side mirrors, and Hofmeister Kink basically match the current X4, but the door handles are now flush with shallow pockets underneath. The mirrors are a little different, and there are no more grooves in the door trim on the front. We’ve already seen the same changes in the next-generation X3 prototype.
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At the front, we can see the narrower headlights sitting higher in the front clip, flanking the grille which is only slightly larger overall. The lower fascia is mostly hidden, but the outline of the larger angular vents is visible. The grille itself has a mesh pattern, something we’d expect in a vehicle with an internal combustion engine but it’s hard to see the details behind it. Apart from that, there are no visible exhaust outlets at the rear. That doesn’t mean there aren’t any pipes tucked behind the rear fascia. At the very least, it is a different design compared to the current model.
We’re asking the iX4 a question because recent reports suggest the internal combustion X4 could be dropped for the next generation. It’s not confirmed, but the source is usually reliable. Seeing this prototype without an exhaust lends credence to the report, though to be fair, we’ve seen the next-generation X3 test vehicle without a visible exhaust outlet as well.
If this is indeed a combustion-powered X4, it will likely debut sometime next year as a 2024 model. The iX4 is expected to arrive in 2026.
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