We’re not talking about the grille…
BMW created the coupe-SUV category in 2008, before reducing the size of the recipe six years later with X4, and again in 2017 with the X2. According to rumors, a fourth member is on the way for the company’s Sport Activity Vehicles (SAV) line-up.
New spy photos allow us to see the prototype of the luxury barge up close, but the camouflage makes it difficult to see the bodywork. It’s impossible to hide the vehicle’s large-than-life appearance. The luxobarge has a slightly sloping roofline that mimics a coupe roof, eschewing its nearly flat roof of the X7. We are noticing that the radar sensor located in the lower grille conceals a large front grille.
BMW’s fully electric iX demonstrated that it is not afraid to experiment with new designs. The X8 will likely be the German luxury marque. For example, the headlights are provisional but will be placed in the same place as the final clusters of the production-ready model. These are mounted lower at the front, as we have seen it on both the next generation 7 Series (and its electric i7 equivalent).
It is not clear if these new BMWs will feature split headlights and upper daytime running lamps stacked on top of the main cluster. Although the taillights are placeholders, we can see that they will be extended on the tailgate by the bulges. The rear window and wiper look similar to the /iX. However, the roof spoiler appears to be smaller.
A fuel cap and mandatory “Hybrid Test Vehicle” stickers on the driver’s side revealed that the X8 was equipped with an electrified powertrain. A fully-fledged M version of the X8 will use a hybrid setup, which combines the twin-turbo V8 of 4.4-liters with an electric motor to produce approximately 750 horsepower.
Given the lack of final lighting on the prototype, there is no chance that an official reveal will take place anytime soon. We expect a debut in late 2021, with the X8M arriving around a year later. The X8 may be available with only four seats, instead of the three-row X7. It is the most expensive model in the brand’s lineup, especially if you consider the M variant.