Concept:BMW X4 2015

 

BMW has been twiddling around with the BMW X4 since 2008 when the idea of a sportier version of the X3 was looking like a profitable venture. Back then, the German automaker was calling it a Sport Activity Sedan (SAS) and had thought they might be able to crank it out in 2010. Obviously that didn’t pan out, but plans for the X6’s smaller brother are still in the works, with a possible debut in 2013.

As you can see from the leaked prototype image provided above, the BMW X4 will get many of its exterior components from the X3 , including the use of the X3’s platform. Rumors suggest that the future vehicle will be produced at the company’s Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, which would be fitting considering the passion we, as Americans, have for SUVs.

The X4 Concept, as expected, borrows styling elements from its big brother – the X6 – and extends the BMW Sport Active Coupe line to two vehicles. Up front, you’ll notice the typical BMW trademarks, like the kidney grille and twin circular headlights, so there is no mistaking that this model belongs to an exclusive group of vehicles with the gall to call themselves the “Ultimate Driving Machine.”

The signature kidney grille is highly stylized on the X4 Concept, as its thick chrome surround sets the stage for the vertical grille bars, which are coated in high-gloss black paint, to add an appearance of depth to the front end. Additionally, this expanded grille helps keep the engine running nice and cool at all times.

The headlights come in featuring full-LED technology, assemblies that meet the stylish grille and a twin-circular pattern within the headlight assemblies, just as expected. This simply adds to the familiarity of this concept with the rest of the BMW lineup.

BMW continues onto the front apron, which carries more familiar cues, like the outer air intakes that are larger than the center intake, giving the X4 Concept an aggressive look. Surrounding the center intake on the apron is a matte-silver bar with “X4” embedded in it, which we could live without. Bimmer is all about cleanliness and that gratuitous decal negates that.

Exterior and Interior

 

From the side, the X4 Concept just keeps on delivering knock-out punches.

With its long hood and cab-rearward layout, you just know this is a premium luxury vehicle ready to take on anything Mercedes and Audi have to throw at it. Once you get to the raked-back windshield coupled with a swooping roofline that gives the Porsche 911’s roofline a run for its money, you are likely already sold on the design. However, your eyes still have some work to do.

Down just a few inches are windows that extend from the front door all the way to the rear quarter panel, giving the X4 Concept an elongated look. The highlight of the X4 Concept is definitely the pair of sharp shoulder lines that span the length of the X4. One line spans from the front fender to almost the end of the rear door and the second picks up where the first left off, swooping over the wheel well to meet the taillight. Speaking of the wheel wells, a beautiful set of 21-inch bi-color alloys fill them up nicely.

Around the back, the X4 Concept features shortened rear window, much like the X6. LED taillights in the BMW’s signature L-shape give the back end quite the personality and the aggressive rear apron adds to it with trapezoidal tailpipe exits that are designed to mimic the air intakes on the front apron.

Wrapping up the exterior can be done in one word: SEXY! Though it still sits a little too high for our taste and to be called a “Coupe,” as BMW calls it, we still find it oddly irresistible. Keep in mind, however, this is only a concept and things often change between conception and reality.

Exterior Dimensions

Length	183 inches (4,648 mm)
Width	75.4 inches (1,915 mm)
Height	63.9 inches (1,622 mm)
Wheelbase	110.6 inches (2,810 mm)

Engine

Rumor has it that the 2015 BMW X4 will carry the same engines as found in the next-gen X3. This means there will likely be a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that will deliver about 240 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo engine that pumps about 306 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of twist.

Another version, most likely for an X4 M model, is the engine from the upcoming M3, which is suspected to be a heavily reworked N55 engine.

Prices

BMW Plant Spartanburg in the U.S. will have the honor of churning out the production X4 alongside the X5, X6 and X3. The production version BMW X4 will hit showrooms in 2014 as a 2015 model year. Unfortunately, no preliminary pricing has been revealed, but we anticipate it starting somewhere in the $45K to $50K range.

Competition

Range Rover Evoque 

 

The Evoque is offered in both three-door- and five-door versions. It is powered by a 2.0-liter Si4 turbocharged engine that combines direct injection and twin variable valve timing to produce a total of 240 horsepower.

Audi Q5 

In the U.S. market, the Q5 is offered with a choice of two engines: a 2.0 TFSI delivering a total of 255 horsepower or a 3.0 TFSI V-6 with supercharging to deliver a total of 272 horsepower. Prices start from $ 35,900. The model offers a very elegant design language, and for the interior, the same level of luxury Audi always delivers. So, the next X4 will have to offer tons of features to steal clients from it.