SPYSHOTS: Is this a range-topping BMW X4 M40i?

Is BMW planning a new more powerful range-topping variant of the F26 BMW X4 “coupe”? Our European spy photographers caught this X4 on test with its camouflage concentrated around the front bumper as well as nearly all of the rear end, from the C-pillar onwards.

One pretty obvious thing that we noticed is the fact that the rear end has a new exhaust tailpipe layout, with two round tailpipes on each corner of the rear bumper. The most powerful petrol-powered X4 so far is the xDrive35i, which as seen in our BMW X4 review, features a dual tailpipes on the left side of the rear bumper.

We think this could be an M Performance Automobile variant of the X4 like an M40i (or perhaps an M40d – who knows), instead of a true X4 M. Lots of ‘true M car’ features are missing from this prototype, like bespoke wing mirrors, quad tailpipes and a double-bar kidney grille. All of these design features have been sighted on the X5 M and X6 M prototypes that we’ve seen testing so far.

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