An unexpected and mysterious leak gives us an equally surprising first look at the upcoming, second-generation F98 BMW X4 M. The image was published by Mexican magazine Autocosmos (and by some other outlets, so it’s hard to identify the original posting) giving us a three-quarter view of the midsize M-engineered Sports Activity Coupe.
Being based upon the G02 X4, which we recently drove, the F98 X4 M is really what we’ve expected – a more massive and wide rear-end, with wide fenders, an integrated air diffuser, exclusive wheels, M side mirrors and dual, twin exhaust pipes. And of course, the ///M logo on the boot.
We can’t see the front-end, but based on recent spy shots, we can confidently say that it has very large lower front air intakes, like all BMW M cars do, M-style dual slat kidney grille and a more aggressive bumper.
Through the grapevine, we’ve also heard that it will use a new engine, codename S58, which is version of BMW’s B58 engine that’s been breathed on by BMW’s M Division. So it will still be a 3.0 liter straight-six, turbocharged, making around 450 hp. The standard B58 already sounds better than the S55 engine in the BMW M3/M4 so we’re hoping that the S58 sounds even better.
BMW is expected to unveil the new F98 X4 M in first quarter of 2019, followed shortly after by the market launch.