Photo: CarPix
The Bavarians are credited with coming up with this segment in the SUV market - one that should have been a niche, but somehow managed to become much more than that - but the days when they were alone in it are long gone.
Mercedes-Benz was the first to counter-attack by releasing two models in quick succession - the GLE Coupe X6 rival and GLC Coupe X4 competitor. To make matters worse for BMW, the neighbor to the North (and a bit to the West) even managed to beat the X4 to the market with its own model, even though that should be little consolation for the many years the X6 had no direct contender.
Anyway, all this happened a few good years away, and so BMW is now working on a mid-cycle refreshment for the tinier of the two coupe SAVs. We caught the vehicle testing on the road several times, but on each occasion, it was wearing camouflage over the most interesting bits. This time, though, the white cat is out of the bag.
Our carparazzi managed to snap the 2018 BMW X4 clear of any kind of visual obstructions as it traveled on top of a transport truck in the U.S. of A., presumably near the BMW plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina. With the front of the vehicle no longer a secret after the reveal of its X3 sibling, the only unknown left was the model's rear end.
And let's just say our wait was worth it. It's not that the new X4 is spectacular, just that it's spectacularly similar to the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. Those wider, slimmer taillights are definitely a beautiful touch, but even though they swipe up (as opposed to the Merc's, which are completely flat at the top) they might cause some confusion as to what car they're looking at among those less in the know.
But if the taillights are what caught our eye first, it's what sits just above them that's the real surprise. That "M40d" badge suggests the 2018 BMW X4 might be the first BMW model outside the new 7 Series to get the quad-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six diesel engine, only in this case under the M Performance monicker.
That means 400 hp (if they don't downgrade it) and more torque than you will ever need in any vehicle this size of a main battle tank: 561 lb-ft or 760 Nm. Combine that with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system, and we should get a car that can sprint to the 62 mph (100 km/h) mark in about four seconds.
If diesel is not your thing (and we totally get it, despite these dizzying numbers), the 2018 BMW X4 will have a proper M version as well that will use a more powerful version of the M3/M4 twin-turbo unit.
And if gasoline power isn't your thing either (that one we find more difficult to digest), there will also be hybrid powertrains on offer. There's also talk of BMW offering all-electric versions for most of its models in the future, so there's that to consider as well.
There are plenty of controversial aspects about the X4 - one of which being its mere existence - and yet the new BMW SAV coupe couldn't care less. The new model will most definitely continue to woo those who want to join the ranks of SUV owners, but don't fancy a practical one. Don't laugh, regular coupes are the same thing to sedans.
Anyway, all this happened a few good years away, and so BMW is now working on a mid-cycle refreshment for the tinier of the two coupe SAVs. We caught the vehicle testing on the road several times, but on each occasion, it was wearing camouflage over the most interesting bits. This time, though, the white cat is out of the bag.
Our carparazzi managed to snap the 2018 BMW X4 clear of any kind of visual obstructions as it traveled on top of a transport truck in the U.S. of A., presumably near the BMW plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina. With the front of the vehicle no longer a secret after the reveal of its X3 sibling, the only unknown left was the model's rear end.
And let's just say our wait was worth it. It's not that the new X4 is spectacular, just that it's spectacularly similar to the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe. Those wider, slimmer taillights are definitely a beautiful touch, but even though they swipe up (as opposed to the Merc's, which are completely flat at the top) they might cause some confusion as to what car they're looking at among those less in the know.
But if the taillights are what caught our eye first, it's what sits just above them that's the real surprise. That "M40d" badge suggests the 2018 BMW X4 might be the first BMW model outside the new 7 Series to get the quad-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six diesel engine, only in this case under the M Performance monicker.
That means 400 hp (if they don't downgrade it) and more torque than you will ever need in any vehicle this size of a main battle tank: 561 lb-ft or 760 Nm. Combine that with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system, and we should get a car that can sprint to the 62 mph (100 km/h) mark in about four seconds.
If diesel is not your thing (and we totally get it, despite these dizzying numbers), the 2018 BMW X4 will have a proper M version as well that will use a more powerful version of the M3/M4 twin-turbo unit.
And if gasoline power isn't your thing either (that one we find more difficult to digest), there will also be hybrid powertrains on offer. There's also talk of BMW offering all-electric versions for most of its models in the future, so there's that to consider as well.
There are plenty of controversial aspects about the X4 - one of which being its mere existence - and yet the new BMW SAV coupe couldn't care less. The new model will most definitely continue to woo those who want to join the ranks of SUV owners, but don't fancy a practical one. Don't laugh, regular coupes are the same thing to sedans.
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