2023 BMW X6 M Prototype Drops More Camo, Reveals Hungry Air Intakes

BMW seems to be hellbent on cramming as many new car launches into its 50th anniversary year as possible. And although the M2, M3 Touring, M4 CSL and XM might be the headline acts, the M team still found time to upgrade existing cars like the X6 M.

Our latest spy shots of the X6 M show that BMW’s test team is slowly stripping away the disguise on its prototypes, to the extent that we can now make out the aggressive new lower bumper design. The outer air intakes appear to feature a similar triangular shape to the ongoing model, but this time there are some extra horizontal and vertical bars thrown into the mix. The lower central air intake also looks like it’s gained some additional bracing.

This latest test car also has some holes punched into the mesh disguise covering the kidney grilles, but unfortunately those holes aren’t quite big enough for us to make out what’s hiding behind. The good news for those not in love with the giant grilles and split lights seen on recent BMWs like the X7 and 7-Series is that the facelifted X6 M sticks broadly to the style template laid down by the old car.

The grille bars may change is size, number or even orientation, but the kidneys themselves haven’t grown any larger. If it looks that way that’s because BMW has slimmed down the headlights, but not so much that it could no longer fit the DRLs and headlight units in one cluster.

Related: BMW Teases M4-Based 3.0 CSL Hommage, Could Produce 560 HP

Credit: Andreas Mau/CarPix

Like previous X6 M test cars, this one doesn’t have any rear disguise and the light units look identical to those on the current car, suggesting that BMW will only add them later in the prototype cycle. We’re also not expecting to see much change under the hood. The current X6 M runs a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 that sends 591 hp (600 PS) in standard guise, or 617 hp (625 PS) when ordered with the Competition Package.

But one area that is in line for a major upgrade is the interior. BMW is upgrading the entire X6 and X6 M range to its latest iDrive technology and large touchscreen display fitted to the iX electric SUV.