BMW’s new X Series style

With a quarter of all BMW new car sales coming from their X stable of models, a new X Series styling language is pretty big news. And here’s the first of the new X range, the Concept X4, revealed ahead of its public debut at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month.

Yes, it’s a concept for now, but an X4 model will be built in 2014, and BMW tells us that it will look much like this chunked-up coupe, minus a couple of the concept car trick bits like the stunning – though pedestrian lethal – wing mirrors, and hidden door handles. It’s a baby X6 then, but with more affordable pricing at around the £35,000 mark.

The X4 is a little smaller than the X6 of course, and the same length as the less-coupe-looking X3. It is wider than the X3 however, which gives it its chunky hunkered looks, and when I look at it I want to lower it further over those glamorous 21-inch alloy wheels. With a more aggressive, aftermarket stance, I think this X4 would look just too tough, and I’m sure the various tuning houses will have it tickling the tarmac mere moments after it hits the BMW dealerships in 2014.

Further X4 details are slightly scant, but we can expect a similar range of engines as found in the X3; 4- and 6-cylinder petrol and diesel motors with turbos, and either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic gearbox. The 300bhp, twin-turbo, straight-6 petrol motor would be my thumper of choice.

By Dan Anslow