BMW will start building a second, still-unnamed Neue Klasse model at its Hungarian plant this autumn, and the electric iX4 coupe-SUV looks the most likely candidate.
BMW has confirmed that a second Neue Klasse model will enter production at its Debrecen plant in Hungary this autumn. There’s a catch, though. The company hasn’t said what the car actually is.
Every sign points to the first-ever iX4, codenamed NA7. Earlier reports linked the electric coupe-SUV to the new Hungarian factory. Those reports also suggested series production would start in November, so a world premiere can’t be far away.
A Factory Running Around the Clock
The timing is notable. Debrecen has just moved to three-shift, 24/7 production to keep up with demand for the iX3. That SUV has already passed 50,000 units built at the plant, with 100,000 orders secured.
Adding a second model to a line that’s already flat out shows real confidence in the Neue Klasse platform. If the iX4 does arrive there, it will join a sibling that is clearly selling well. Many new EVs have launched with far less support behind them.
An X4 Without the Combustion Engine
The iX4 won’t be a conventional next-generation X4. The previous G02 model ended production last year without a petrol or diesel successor. That makes the iX4 an indirect replacement rather than a direct follow-up. In short, BMW is turning its coupe-SUV into an electric-only model as part of the Neue Klasse push. Buyers who still want combustion power in this shape will need to look elsewhere.
Spy shots show a sharply sloped roofline, giving the iX4 a more pronounced coupe profile than even the old X4. Up front, expect plenty in common with the iX3. The likely trade-off is less rear headroom and boot space. That’s the usual price of a coupe-SUV, where style tends to beat practicality.
What Could Sit Underneath
Mechanically, the iX4 is expected to borrow almost everything from the iX3. None of the following lineup is official yet, but reports suggest:
- 40 and 50 models forming the core of the range
- An M60 as a hotter performance variant
- A full X4 M (ZA7) using the quad-motor setup from the upcoming electric M3 (ZA0)
That X4 M is worth salivating over. It is reportedly heading for more than 800 horsepower. Treat that figure as rumour for now, because BMW hasn’t confirmed any outputs.
The 3 Series Goes First
Before the iX4 appears, BMW has another big debut lined up. The next-generation 3 Series, codenamed G50, was due to be revealed at the end of September. The M350 xDrive will sit at the top of that range.
So the iX4 has moved from rumour to near-certainty, even without an official name. BMW’s own announcement confirms a second Neue Klasse model is coming to Debrecen this autumn. With the iX3 already keeping the plant busy around the clock, the Hungarian factory is quickly becoming central to BMW’s electric plans.
