(April 5, 2013) With the BMW Concept X4, the BMW Group offers a preview of the future of the BMW X family. The concept shows how smoothly the qualities of a BMW X model can blend with the genes of a BMW Coupe. Images of the new Sports Activity Coupe concept have been released and BMW will introduce the vehicle at the Shanghai auto show later this month.

BMW says the X4 is "poised to continue the success story of the BMW X6 in a new vehicle class. Eye-catching proportions, tight contours and numerous high-quality details produce an unrivaled product character brimming with emotional appeal, dynamism and the sturdiness you would expect from a BMW X model, while at the same time holding out the promise of outstanding performance and driving dynamics."



The X4 will be built in Spartanburg, S.C., and is expected to go on sale next year. It will join the 4-series coupe, which goes on sale later this year, and the 4-series convertible slated for sale in 2014. All three vehicles are designed to attract younger buyers looking for more stylish vehicles and willing to pay a price premium.

Nearly four in 10 BMW sales in the United States this year through March were light trucks, up from 3 in 10 in all of 2012.

BMW's U.S. light-truck sales have increased 58 percent this year, while car volume has dropped 13 percent. In 2012, the brand's U.S. light-truck sales advanced 28 percent to 95,314 units-- outpacing the 7 percent increase in car sales.

The X4 will use the platform of the more utilitarian X3 crossover. The 4-series coupe and convertible are based on the 3-series sedan but are sleeker and will be priced higher. All-wheel drive will be available on the X4 but it is unclear whether it will be standard.

The Spartanburg assembly plant produces all of BMW's crossovers except the compact X1.

BMW has not offered pricing details for the X4 or indicated when the model will go on sale. It is expected to reach showrooms in the United States by mid-2014 and be priced higher than the 2013 X3, which has a base price of $39,745, including shipping.

The X4 crossover concept has a length of 183 inches, making it 9 inches shorter than the X6. It is 75.4 inches wide, 64 inches tall and has a 110.6-inch wheelbase.

"With the X6 we have attracted a completely different buyer than for the X5. We expect the same thing to happen with the X4 versus the X3," Ian Robertson, BMW AG's board member for sales, said recently.

To accommodate the X4 and increase output of other crossovers, BMW has expanded capacity at the Spartanburg plant to 350,000 vehicles from 300,000.

The X4 will likely use the same engines as the X3 — a 2.0-liter 240 horsepower twin-turbo four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder with 300 horsepower.

Sources: BMW, Automotive News