BMW’s famous Sports Activity Vehicle template sees yet another model which will be hitting the dealerships in mid-2014
One look at the pictures and you will wonder about this cars identity. It may look like a shrunken X6. However, this is the new BMW X4, which is now production- ready. It will make its début at the upcoming New York International Auto Show in April 2014. The X4 may be based on the X3, but the company has tried everything to give it sportier and more dynamic appearance. So, it sits lower and is slightly longer to achieve that look. There are a few exterior changes as well, most noticeable changes being the different front bumper which has bigger air intakes and a new set of fog-lamps. The side profile also receives a few changes to make it look more aggressive and muscular. The tail-end however, gets similar looking tail-lights that we have already seen on the 4 Series Gran Coupé.
To maintain the sporty character on the inside, BMW have changed a few things. The driver and the front passenger sit 20mm lower and the rear passengers sit 28mm lower than in an X3. The X4 can seat five passengers in comfort, though the headroom for the rear passengers might be insufficient.
The X4 will be sold in the US in two petrol variants, namely, xDrive35i and xDrive28i. Both variants will feature all-wheel drive and eight-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox. The 35i will be powered by the rev-happy, 3.0litre straight six motor, producing 300PS and 400 Nm, whereas the 28i will be available with a 2.0litre, four pot turbo motor that produces 240PS and 350 Nm.
For diesel fans, BMW will offer three models. The top-end, called X4 xDrive35d, will be powered by the 3.0litre, straight six motor, producing 313PS and 630 Nm, followed by the xDrive30d that will sit in between the 35d and the basic 20d. The 30d utilizes the same engine as the range topper, but it has been de-tuned as it produces 259PS and 560 Nm. The base model, called xDrive20d will come with a humble 2.0litre four-pot motor that produces 190PS and 400 Nm. Eight-speed automatic transmission will be offered as standard on the 35d and 30d whereas the base model will only get a six-speed manual gearbox.
BMW will be launching the car in the US right after the NY Auto Show followed by the car’s official launch in Europe in mid-2014. India will eventually get the X4 towards the end of 2014. Expect the price to be on the premium side as BMW will be selling it as a niche product reserved only for the purists.
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