Autogyaan: BMW X4 Concept Unveiled Before Shanghai Motor Show
The BMW X6 was a very polarising design when it first came out in 2008, and its newly unveiled younger brother seems to be headed the same way. The X4 concept has been unveiled and a production model of the ‘Sports Activity Vehicle’ (SAV) as its called by BMW, will go on sale in 2014. BMW also says that the concept isn’t just the preview of a new model, but a glimpse at the future of the entire X range.
Like the X6, the X4’s styling is a hybrid of an SUV and a fastback coupe, a design most of us now know as the crossover. Flaunting strong character lines down its sides, a big radiator grille and two-tone 21-inch alloy wheels, the X4 takes on an aggressive and powerful stance, like the larger X6. Dimensionally most similar to the 3-Series Wagon, the X4’s headlight’s and taillights remind us a lot of the upcoming 4-Series coupe as well as the 3-Series Gran Turismo. Underneath the sculpted body, the X4 is based on the smaller X3 and will most likely offer the same engine options as the X3. It will be built alongside the other X models at BMW’s factory in Spartanburg, USA.
The X4 seems to be a well-shaken cocktail of many old and new BMWs. We prefer the X4’s adventurous yet balanced design to that of the X6, but the fastback SUV is still a niche segment and isn’t widely accepted by petrolheads all round the world. Expect this car to make a lot of news when it makes its world debut at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month.
