BMW X4 makes global debut

BMW has just unveiled the latest member of its X family of Sports Activity vehicles – the X4 Sports Activity Coupe, a vehicle operating the mechanical underpinnings of the X3 but sporting the styling brief of the X6, albeit in a smaller package.

Its junior X6 identity is confirmed by its coupe-like roofline, which begins to slope down towards the rear even before the B-pillar. The familiar character line that defines the flanks of recent BMW vehicles, however, has been reinterpreted for the X4, being split into two – first rising from the front wheel arches running past the door handles, and the second following the curvature of the rear wheel arch before stretching into the taillights.

Official pictures from BMW show a unit kitted in M Sport trim, which unsurprisingly emphasizes aggression and sportiness with gaping huge air intakes. Consistent with other members of the X family, the X4’s front fog lamps are mounted high up the front bumper, just below the headlight assembly.

Measurement-wise, the X4 stretches 14mm longer than the X3 at 4,671mm long, but it also sits 36mm closer to the ground at 1,624mm tall. Inside, front passengers sit 20mm lower than they would in an X3 and similarly, rear passengers (only room for two of them) sit 28mm lower. The rear hatch opens to 500 litres of luggage space, with a further 900 litres available upon folding the 40:20:40 rear seat backs.

In the engine room, the X4 sports BMW’s usual catalogue of petrol and diesel engines in both 2.0-litre four- and 3.0-litre six-cylinder layouts in varying power outputs with all models featuring xDrive as standard. Newest engine in that collection is the 2.0-litre B47 turbodiesel that was first introduced in the facelifted X3 in Geneva recently, and here it supplies the X4 xDrive20d with outputs of 190hp and 400Nm; it is the only engine offered with the option of a 6-speed manual transmission, all other motors are fitted with the ZF 8-speed auto as standard.

Also featuring in the X4 is the 3.0-litre N57 six-cylinder turbodiesel in two formats – 258hp/560Nm powering the xDrive30d and 313hp/630Nm in the xDrive35d. Petrol engines consist of the familiar 2.0-litre N20 powering the xDrive20i and xDrive28i in different states of tune. Regular readers would know the numbers of these engines better than the back of their hands. The 3.0-litre N55 six-cylinder rounds up the petrol line-up with 306hp and 400Nm for the xDrive35i.

It goes without saying that all engines in the line-up are Euro 6 compliant, and come with a range of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies that help optimize their fuel consumption. All versions feature Auto Start/Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration, and on-demand ancillaries. Vehicles with automatic transmission have a built-in coasting function, and special tyres with low rolling-resistance are available as cost options. BMW claims that reduction of CO₂ by as much as 7 g/km are possible with these tyres.

Other notable features in the X4 include heads-up display, anti-dazzle High Beam Assitant, and Driving Assistant Plus, a package which includes Lane Departure Warning, autonomous emergency braking, Active Cruise Control, and preventive pedestrian protection. Further optional enhancements to the onboard BMW ConnectedDrive system also allow users to access services such as Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI), the Concierge Service and Remote Services.

KON

Pictures: Official BMW release.