We reported in detail when Bavarian car maker BMW unveiled the X4 Concept at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show. Now, a near-production ready version of the 2014 BMW X4 has been spotted testing. While the test mule wears considerable amount of camouflage, it is easy to see that the car isn’t wearing any “dummy-panels” and it can also be observed what the production spec car would look like.
The production spec BMW X4 will be launched only in 2014 and this was earlier confirmed by BMW’s Chief Executive, Norbert Reithofer.
As is pretty obvious from the name, the X4 will be positioned between the X3 and the X5 and is a part of BMW’s plan to plug in all the gaps in its product portfolio. The new ‘X’ range of vehicles from BMW will battle it out against the upcoming ‘Q’ models from Audi.
On comparing the spy shots that we see here to the pics of the X4 Concept, it can be stated that the production version stays very true to the concept in terms of exterior styling and the only changes that the car has are the less futuristic headlamps, less chrome and a slightly less sporty bumper.
The X4 will borrow its engine options from the X3. However, a plug-in hybrid version too could see the light of the day.
The BMW X4 shares the platform with the X3 and sports a coupe-crossover styling similar to that of the BMW X6. In essence, the X4 will play baby brother to the larger (and pricier) X6.
BMW says that the X6 caters to a completely different segment of car buyers and very much like the larger car the X4 too will not be targeted at traditional SUV buyers. Basically, the X4 will be to the X3 what the X6 is to the X5. It may be noted that BMW can safely be credited with inventing the SAV segment with the X6 ‘Coupe Crossover’. The X6 was later joined by Land Rover Evoque.
The BMW X4 has been codenamed as F26 and will share the monocoque steel platform with the second generation X3. It is expected that the car will also share its engines and underpinnings with the X3. The BMW X4, the Mercedes GLA and the upcoming SUVs in the Audi Q range. .future surely looks promising for a typical German SUV/Crossover buyer.
Go to next page for complete image gallery of 2014 BMW X4