Story and photos by Andreas Conradt, Automedia
Less Space, More Style: All-New BMW iX4 Spotted
BMW has started testing the upcoming Neue Klasse-based iX4. Our man in Munich recently spotted it for the first time, and even if it is an early tester wrapped in trippy camouflage, the visual resemblance to its more practical sibling, the new-generation iX3, is perfectly visible. Targeting those who favor style over substance, the BMW iX4 will be about the same inside and out, save for the sloping roofline, reduced headroom for backseat occupants and a smaller cargo area.
A comparison with the BMW iX3 reveals an identical front fascia, though the bumpers might still be slightly different. The front pillars appear to be a bit more arched, and the roofline flows into the angular tailgate.
Just like its sibling, the new BMW iX4 has a recess on the rear bumper for the license plate. There appears to be a bigger gap between the taillights, however, though the rear lighting units might be provisional, or it could be the vinyl stickers tricking the eye.
The two models might share the same wheels, though certain sets could be exclusive to the BMW iX4 to further differentiate it from the iX3. The same could also apply to the exterior color palette and interior upholstery and trim.
Speaking of the interior, it will carry over from the new BMW iX3. This will include the extremely wide pillar-to-pillar display at the bottom of the windshield, as well as the large central screen, discreet air vents, dashboard panel, four-spoke steering wheel, center console and so on. In fact, the upcoming BMW iX4 will be identical to its more practical sibling, aside from the clearly reduced headroom for those sitting in the rear, as mentioned above.
The powertrain family should also be the same, and that means the BMW iX4 50 xDrive will launch with dual electric motors rated at 463 bhp (345 kW/469 ps) and 476 lb.-ft. (645 Nm) of torque in total. The iX3 hits 130 mph and reaches 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. The EPA-estimated driving range is 400 miles, and it supports 400 kW charging, taking 21 minutes to go from 10% to 80%.
BMW's iX4, which will replace the outgoing X4 without any ICE offerings, might premiere in about a year.
Facelift for the Land Rover Defender
All eyes are on the future '27 all-electric "baby" Land Rover Defender, but as it stands, the British company hasn't forgotten about its flagship either. The real Defender, the big one for that matter, will receive a facelift around the same time the "baby" model launches, and our man in Germany snapped a prototype of the revised model testing on country roads outside the Nürburgring racetrack.
There is a tiny bit of camouflage on the rear bumper and roof spoiler, but the more interesting part is the changes up front. Judging from these early shots, the iconic Defender will receive a new front bumper plus a revised grille with a new mesh pattern. The headlights could also be replaced with new ones, but that's just a guess.
We don't know about any updates to the oily bits under the hood. What we do know, however, is that the Defender will get new seats. Proof is the one shot of the passenger seat area clearly showing a covered rear bench to protect the new design from prying eyes. We assume the new seats will go along with an updated infotainment system. The Defender is, after all, more than six years old.
Electric Speed: The Audi RS Q6 Sportback E-tron
Though it has been testing since 2024, the Audi RS Q6 Sportback E-tron is still not part of the German company's portfolio. But it will be soon, as the development phase is now more advanced, and chances are the sporty electric crossover is being fine-tuned.
There are some key differences compared to the Audi SQ6 Sportback e-tron, and some of them revolve around the front fascia, which is a bit more aggressive on the RS Q6 variant. The bumper is new and features a redesigned air intake below the modified grille, as well as reshaped vents on the sides. The side skirts appear sportier beneath the camouflage. The rear bumper and diffuser are also new, though the tailgate spoiler appears identical to that of the SQ6.
The Audi RS Q6 Sportback e-tron also appears to sit closer to the ground, and chances are those wheels are exclusive to this model. Moreover, the brake calipers visible behind the alloys in these spy shots are larger, and that is hardly a surprise, as this EV is more powerful than the SQ6, so it has to keep the extra oomph in check.
Since the RS Q6 Sportback E-tron will likely try to mirror the Porsche Macan Turbo Electric, albeit on a lower level, chances are it will have less than 630 hp and 833 lb.-ft. (1,129 Nm) of torque. The Porsche tops out at 162 mph (261 km/h) and sprints to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.2 seconds. We expect the RS Q6 to be slightly slower.
Audi's RS Q6 Sportback e-tron builds on the PPE platform and likely features the same dual-motor setup with all-wheel drive as the feisty all-electric Macan, along with the same 100 kWh battery pack that enables an EPA-rated range of 293 mi. (472 km).
