2020 BMW X6 fully revealed in leaked images

BMW's love-it-or-hate-it SUV is back for a third generation.

Leaked images have revealed the next-generation BMW X6 before its official debut. The model is tentatively scheduled to join the X5 it's based on in American showrooms in time for the 2020 model year.

The three images were published on Instagram by user Kero Wolf. They confirm the X6's overall proportions don't change much, it still looks like a fastback on stilts (or, ostensibly, a coupe), but finer details on both ends fall in line with BMW's latest design language. Up front, the grille gets bigger and the two sides are now connected in the middle. They're flanked by more angular headlights with high tech-looking LED inserts. Out back, thin horizontal lights emphasize the model's width, while a spoiler integrated into the hatch underlines the X6's sporty intentions.

We haven't seen photos of the interior yet, but we expect it will look a lot like the X5 it's based on. Similarly, its powertrain line-up will likely mirror the X5's. In the United States, that means an entry-level, xDrive40i-badged model with a turbocharged, 3.0-liter straight-six and a quicker variant called xDrive50i powered by a turbocharged, 4.4-liter V8. An M-tuned hot rod with over 600 horsepower and a plug-in hybrid version will both join the line-up a little bit later in the production run. European buyers will have access to several diesel options.

We expect BMW will fully unveil the third-generation X6 in the coming days. Built in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the model will go on sale by the end of 2019, and it will arrive in showrooms in early 2020. Pricing will start in the vicinity of $65,000.