BMW Is Quietly Preparing the Next X6 and iX6 – And They Might Not Be What You Expect

BMW didn’t say much about it on stage, but if you look closely at everything revealed at Auto China 2026, a pattern starts to form.

The brand is clearly reorganizing its entire lineup. You already have the refreshed 7 Series and i7, plus the long-wheelbase versions of the iX3 and i3 built around the Neue Klasse direction. That part is official. What comes after is where things get a bit more interesting.

Because some models are slowly being pushed out.

There are strong indications that the iX and i4 will no longer be offered in the United States, which leaves space for the next wave. And that next wave doesn’t stop at sedans or compact SUVs.

Larger models are coming. The X5 is already deep into testing — Nürburgring runs included — and BMW seems ready to throw everything at it: mild-hybrid setups, plug-in hybrids, fully electric versions, even hydrogen-based systems.

But the X5 is only half of the story. The coupe-SUV version always follows. It has for years. So yes, the X6 is next in line.

And not just one version. There are growing expectations that both a new X6 and a fully electric iX6 will show up before the end of the decade, likely around 2028 or 2029. That timeline keeps popping up, even if nothing is confirmed yet.

Here’s where things take a slight turn.

You would expect the electric model to fully switch to the Neue Klasse architecture. That’s the whole point of BMW’s future direction. But some reports suggest the iX6 might not go all-in on that.

Instead, it could stick with an evolved CLAR platform — the same base used today, just heavily updated to support full-electric capability. It sounds like a compromise. Or maybe a transition step??? It`s hard to say!

Design-wise, nothing shocking, but also not boring. The newer BMW look is clearly spreading across the range: vertical kidney grilles, cleaner surfaces, and lighting elements integrated more tightly into the front end.

Inside, expect something closer to the latest 7 Series setup. The Panoramic Vision system will probably make its way here too, including that extra passenger-side display that BMW has started pushing more aggressively.

As for the renderings floating around online — they’re unofficial, obviously. Still, they’re not random either. They follow the direction BMW is already taking.

And if that direction holds, the next X6 generation might end up being less about tradition… and more about adaptation.