BILBAO, Spain – It’s interesting that a week after feeling apprehension before I drove in the new BMW M3, a similar sensation occurred ahead a driving of another new product from the Munich-based brand. This time, however, I didn’t worry that the newcomer would live up to its predecessor’s reputation, but rather that it wouldn’t.
Not that the new BMW X4 replaces the X6 but on styling alone it’s immediately clear the newest member of the BMW X family aims to have the same impact on the market as its big brother. With more than 240 000 units sold (mostly in the US and China) and BMWs X range accounting for thirty per cent of all sales it was perhaps inevitable the same formula would be carried over to smaller X models.
But where the result of the swept back “coupé” styling of the X5-based X6 was an undeniably compromised interior package the new X4 aims to offer a potential X3 owner the option of a significantly sportier stance without a trade-off in versatility.
Compared with the (F25) X3 the X4 is 14 mm longer but also 36 mm lower. Both cars are as wide as one another and share the same wheelbase.
Matching the lower roofline, the driving position of the new X4 has been lowered by 20 mm, which goes a way towards making the vehicle feel decidedly sportier than the vehicle on which it’s based. At the same time a slightly firmer suspension setup has been dialled in. Despite this and the fitment of standard 18-inch wheels on the xDrive35i I drove on the international launch the general ride quality of this sporty model was generally very accomplished. Impressive was the way this model turned-in with minimal body roll and with more front-end grip that you might expect from a vehicle with a generous (204 mm) ground clearance and a curb weight of 1 815 kilograms.
As impressive as the new X4 proved dynamically, however, I was more relieved at being comfortable able to sit behind a driver’s seat set to my 186 cm tall frame, with the top of my head not touching the roofline. A standard fitment electrically operated tailgate opens wide to reveal a luggage compartment only 50 dm3 smaller than that of the X3. The rear seats fold flat in a 40:20:40 split.
I’ve never been a fan of the BMW X6. For me the compromise in interior packaging and ultimate comfort in pursuit of a more distinct (read poser) presence on the road over the more than capable X5 is too great. With the X4, however, I was pleasantly surprised to discover the penalty for wanting a more sporty-looking “coupe-like” SUV isn’t a significant one. In fact, with the improved dynamics you might even consider the X4 ahead of the X3.
Specifications*
Model: BMW X4 xDrive35i
Engine: inline, six-cylinder, turbocharged
Capacity: 2 979 cm3
Power: 225 kW @ 5 800 – 6 400 r/min
Torque: 400 N.m @ 1 200 – 5 000 r/min
0-100 km/h: 5,5 secs
Fuel consumption: 8,3 L/100 km
Top speed: 247 km/h (limited)
CO2 emissions: 193 g/km
Price: approximately R780 000
ETA: September 2014
*According to the manufacturer.