The new BMW iX4 has been fully leaked before its launch
BMW is preparing a new wave of electric models based on its Neue Klasse architecture, and after introducing the new iX3, the next model to arrive will be the BMW iX4.
This vehicle is set to serve as the more sporty variant of the brand’s new electric SUV, but its first images have already appeared online before BMW could officially unveil it.
The photos, initially shared through Kero Wolf’s Instagram account, show the model in its final form almost without any camouflage for the first time. The leak comes just a few days before its official launch, scheduled for this week, allowing us to get a fairly accurate idea of what BMW is preparing to replace the current X4 with.
The concept is quite simple. If the BMW iX3 is the electric equivalent of the X3, then the new iX4 takes its place as the vehicle that previously belonged to the X4 lineup. The difference is that, for this new generation, BMW has opted directly for an electric version, with no plan to release a successor to the X4 equipped with internal combustion engines. Thus, the iX4 will be an entirely electric model within the brand’s new range.
An iX3 with a completely different rear end
Up to pillar B, the BMW iX4 retains a strong resemblance to the iX3. The front end, overall proportions, and much of its design language clearly come from the new Neue Klasse model. It is from this point onward that BMW completely changes the approach, with a roof that starts dropping earlier and a much more sloped rear window.
The result is a car that looks significantly more stylized from the side. The iX4 abandons the more vertical silhouette of the iX3 to adopt a shape closer to that of a grand tourer, with a long and stretched rear section that even resembles, albeit in a different context, the unique interpretation of a family sedan seen in the Series 3 GT. Leaked images clearly highlight this difference between the two models.
BMW continues to use the term Sports Activity Vehicle for this type of model, although in practice it is what the market has identified for years as a coupé-style SUV. The change in body style will inevitably affect practicality, especially regarding the rear seating and trunk space, though it may offer slightly better aerodynamics compared to the iX3.
So far, BMW has not released the exact dimensions of the iX4, so it makes no sense to provide figures based on estimates or reconstructions. What is clear is that the new body style aims to visually distinguish it from the iX3 without breaking away from its technical foundation.
The interior will follow the philosophy introduced by the Neue Klasse. Leaked images show a dashboard dominated by BMW’s new digital architecture, featuring a large 17.9-inch central screen and the Panoramic Vision system projecting information along the bottom of the windshield. The new steering wheel and minimalist design approach that BMW is adopting in its latest models are also visible.
Same technology, but with a more aerodynamic body
The area where there will be fewer surprises is the technical specs. The BMW iX4 shares its architecture with the iX3, and it is expected to use the sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology, paired with an 800-volt electrical system. The initial lineup is expected to consist of the iX4 40 xDrive and 50 xDrive, both featuring all-wheel drive.
The iX4 is likely to inherit the system from the iX3, starting with a 50 xDrive version. Its dual-motor setup delivers 345 kW (469 horsepower), enabling a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 4.9 seconds. These figures have not been officially confirmed for the iX4 yet, so we will need to wait for the official launch to know the exact specifications.
The iX4 is also expected to use the same battery as the iX3. The BMW iX3 50 xDrive features a battery with a useful capacity of 108.7 kWh, whereas the iX3 40 uses one with 82.6 kWh of useful capacity. As for the iX4, there is no official confirmation yet regarding the capacity of each version.
Range will undoubtedly be one of the most interesting aspects. The BMW iX3 50 xDrive achieves up to 805 km WLTP, while the iX3 40 reaches up to 637 km WLTP depending on the configuration. The lower and more streamlined body of the iX4 might allow it to slightly improve these figures in equivalent versions, though it would be premature to convert this possibility into a specific figure for now.
In terms of charging, the iX3’s technology will also serve as a starting point. BMW has developed this new generation based on an 800-volt architecture, and the iX3 50 xDrive can handle up to 400 kW of DC power, allowing it to reach 80% charge in just 21 minutes.
The official launch should clarify all uncertainties within a few days. Current information suggests that the iX4 will begin production in November 2026 at BMW’s plant in Debrecen, Hungary, alongside the iX3. A later version, the iX4 M60 xDrive, might also appear, but this variant would be part of a second phase of the lineup and not included in the initial launch.
BMW has not yet announced the prices for the iX4. Therefore, we will have to wait until its launch to find out how much the new model will cost. For reference, according to available information, the BMW iX3 40 currently starts at 63,400 euros in Europe, while the iX3 50 xDrive costs 73,925 euros. The iX4 is expected to be priced slightly higher than its more practical sibling model, though this figure is still a prediction and not an official price.
