BMW iX4 prototypes hint at a sleeker, lower all-electric X4

Michael Powers, Editor

18:16 05-01-2026

BMW is preparing to retire the X4’s combustion engines altogether: in Germany, prototypes of the upcoming BMW iX4 were spotted again. The model will become the brand’s first all-electric Sports Activity Coupe and one of the core vehicles on the Neue Klasse platform. Internally coded NA7, it effectively marks a fresh chapter for the X4 line—still a coupe-inspired crossover, now in a purely electric guise.

Even heavy camouflage doesn’t hide the key point: the silhouette looks notably sleeker and lower than the outgoing X4 (G02). Broader arches and pronounced fenders give it a planted, athletic stance, while the roofline drops more decisively toward the tail. There’s a predictable trade-off here—rear headroom and cargo space will likely lag behind more upright SUVs—but the shape should appeal to those who value style and road presence over outright volume.

An interesting detail at the rear is a horizontal cutout in the spoiler, where the third brake light appears destined to sit—hinting that BMW may rethink its usual placement. The prototype also shows flush door handles and new two-tone wheels, touches that visually clean up the profile.

Inside, expect close alignment with the future iX3: fewer physical buttons, a large central display (17.9 inches is mentioned), and the latest iDrive X with Panoramic Vision projected across the windshield and a set of customizable widgets. With so much moving onto the screen, the overall impression will depend on interface clarity and responsiveness.

As for timing, insiders see a summer 2026 debut as more likely, with production slated to begin toward the end of 2026 at BMW’s new plant in Debrecen, Hungary.