Photo: BMW
For over a year now, we’ve been hearing that BMW wants to build the X4, a compact SUV with a flowing roof line borrowed from the bigger X6. The news left some Bimmer fans cold, while others were appalled, but as the model makes its conceptual debut today, it’s become clear that we have another winner on our hands.
Both the original X5 and its later Sports Activity Coupe derivative, the X6, were criticized. However, they proved incredibly successful, probably beyond even BMW’s expectations, thus paving the way for the arrival of the X4.
The X4 wears the ‘concept’ title for its official debut at the upcoming Shanghai Auto Show where it will debut in just a few short days. However, this is just a thinly disguised production car, as we’ve come to expect from this German company.
Clearly, the design and platform are both shared with the X3 to some degree, but the two cars are as different as KFC and gourmet chicken. Front end styling seems more masculine because of the powerful modernized halos and imposing kidney grille.
Even in terms of size, the X4 means business. It’s 4,648 mm (15 ft 3 in) in length, 1,915 mm (6 ft. 4 in) wide and stands 1,622 mm (5 ft, 4 in) tall. In simpler terms, it’s exactly the same length as the regular X3, but also a bit wider and more hunkered down, just what you’d expect from a sporty car.
BMW has previously said that it hasn’t sold as many X3s as it wants to not because of poor demand, but because of insufficient production capabilities. It will be interesting to see they can add another 100,000 of these models when it enters production next year.
Since it's a concept, we're not supposed to talk about real-wold performance, but we're going to anyway. The X4 will be known both internally and by brand afficianados as the "F26". It will be powered by a very familiar combination of four- and six-cylinder engines and might be available with rear-wheel drive.
The X4 wears the ‘concept’ title for its official debut at the upcoming Shanghai Auto Show where it will debut in just a few short days. However, this is just a thinly disguised production car, as we’ve come to expect from this German company.
Clearly, the design and platform are both shared with the X3 to some degree, but the two cars are as different as KFC and gourmet chicken. Front end styling seems more masculine because of the powerful modernized halos and imposing kidney grille.
Even in terms of size, the X4 means business. It’s 4,648 mm (15 ft 3 in) in length, 1,915 mm (6 ft. 4 in) wide and stands 1,622 mm (5 ft, 4 in) tall. In simpler terms, it’s exactly the same length as the regular X3, but also a bit wider and more hunkered down, just what you’d expect from a sporty car.
BMW has previously said that it hasn’t sold as many X3s as it wants to not because of poor demand, but because of insufficient production capabilities. It will be interesting to see they can add another 100,000 of these models when it enters production next year.
Since it's a concept, we're not supposed to talk about real-wold performance, but we're going to anyway. The X4 will be known both internally and by brand afficianados as the "F26". It will be powered by a very familiar combination of four- and six-cylinder engines and might be available with rear-wheel drive.
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