The sleek BMW X4 crossover has been spotted
on public roads, in full production trim, for the first time since the Concept
X4 was revealed at the Shanghai Motor Show.
And despite the mass of swirly camouflage,
it’s clear that the company hasn’t strayed too far from the look of the
concept.
The
BMW X4 will get many of its exterior components from the X3, including the use
of the X3’s platform
Just visible through the stickers are the
two distinctive, down-turned creases from the concept car – one over the rear
wheel arch, the other bisecting the tweaked production-ready door handles.
The show car’s grille arrangement, with the
headlights connected directly to it, is carried over. But intakes on the lower
front bumper have been shrunk compared with the concept.
The
BMW X4 side
Larger wing mirrors have been fitted, too,
while the sweeping rear light clusters can just be seen bulging under the
stickers. There are also smaller wheels and a simpler rear bumper with a twin
tailpipe layout, larger-diameter pipes from the concept.
What’s clear, though, is that the
proportions of the production car are identical to the show car. With a
dramatic sloping roofline, short front overhang and gently upturned boot lip,
it looks every inch a miniature X6. And just as the X6 is based on the X5, the
X4 will be virtually identical to the X3 under the skin, except for slightly
sportier suspension settings.
The
BMW X4 front
Despite being the same length, and with an
identical wheelbase to the X3, the X4 is 53mm lower and 34mm wider. That gives
it a more aggressive stance, but will also impact on practicality.
Expect boot space to drop from 550 liters
in the X3 to around 500 liters in the X4. Rear headroom will be slightly
compromised, too, while two individual rear seats – rather than a bench could
be offered as an option.
The
X4 will share the X3's 110.6-inch wheelbase, and its length will be close to
the same 183.0, but we assume it will be a few inches lower than the X3, which
is 65.4 inches tall
There are no official details on the
engines yet, but the X4 is likely to share engines with the X3. That means a
181bhp 2.0-litres diesel in the X4 20d, a 254bhp 3.0-litre straight-six in the
X4 30d and a flagship using the same engine, but with 309bhp. Both four and
rear-wheel-drive versions are expected to be offered, too.
The X4 will make its debut at the Frankfurt
Motor Show in September, and order books open early next year. Prices are set
to start from $45,000.
