Every new BMW X model is a trailblazer. Indeed, the world premiere of the first BMW X model (the BMW X5) in 1999 saw the BMW Group call into being the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) segment – one in which BMW X models remain the market leaders. The BMW X3 and BMW X1 were likewise the first SAVs in their class and continue to set the pace among their rivals today. This development took on a new dimension in May 2008 with the introduction of the BMW X6 – the first Sports Activity Coupe (SAC). This still unique concept brought together the rugged looks of a BMW X model with the emotional aura and sporting character of a BMW Coupe for the first time. The enduring popularity of BMW’s first SAC is borne out by its consistently high sales figures. The short history of the BMW X range is already a successful one. Since the first BMW X model took to the stage, average sales across the BMW X line-up have progressed on a constant upward curve: one in four new BMW cars is now a BMW X model.

With the BMW Concept X4, the BMW Group offers a preview of the future of the BMW X family. It takes no more than a first glance to see how smoothly the qualities of a BMW X model can blend with the genes of a BMW Coupe. The new Sports Activity Coupe concept from BMW 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 unrivalled 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. All of this can be experienced when the BMW X4 production model rolls out of the factory for its market launch, scheduled for as early as 2014. The second Sporty Activity Coupe in the brand´s model range will be built at BMW Plant Spartanburg in the USA, the competence centre for BMW X models which also produces the BMW X5, BMW X6 and BMW X3.

The sporting character of the BMW Concept X4 is articulated by its dynamic linework as well as its proportions. With a body length of 4,648 mm, a wifth of 1,915 mm and a height of 1,622 mm, its exterior dimensions signal sporting elegance and powerful robustness. In addition t a long bonnet, short overhangs and set back passenger cell, its signature BMW features include a long wheelbase measuring 2,810 mm, while 21 inch light alloy wheels lend an added flourish to the athletic bearing of this Sports Activity Coupe.

A front end with an urban sporting presence.

The front-end styling of the BMW Concept X4 exudes hallmark BMW dynamics and the rugged purpose and presence of a BMW X model in equal measure. Classical BMW features such as the kidney grille and stylised twin circular headlights give the front end a clear identity and ensure it shines out as a BMW the first time you set eyes on it. The BMW Concept X4 lavishes both these front-end design icons with meticulous detail and three-dimensional depth. The large kidney grille stretches out within a solid-looking surround. The high-gloss frame is open to the sides and at its lower extreme, lending it an almost “floating” appearance in the centre of the front end. The grille features prominently sculptured bars with ultra-stylish detailing. The hollowed out, high-gloss black bars have a milled lower third with a matt finishing, which lends the kidney structure extra visual depth. And the grille also comprises additional air apertures to ensure an increased supply of cooling air to the engine.

The kidney grille is flanked by dynamically contoured full-LED headlights. Inside the light units, a flowing, hexagonal interpretation of the familiar BMW twin circular appearance points to an unwavering focus on the road ahead. The horizontal continuation of the inner light elements creates a visual connection with the grille, accentuating once again the width of the front end.

This dynamic impression extends to the front apron. In keeping with BMW Coupe tradition, the side air intakes are larger than the inner units and make a visual feature of the increased cooling air requirement – while satisfying that need. Together with the car’s wide track and low centre of gravity, the intakes represent a promise of exceptional performance capability. The side air intakes pick up on a stylistic theme from the kidney grille; their black horizontal bars are, like the grille’s, partly milled out but boast gleaming chrome edges. It all makes for an enticing contrast of materials, a fusion of high-end quality with the characteristic robustness of BMW X vehicles.

This design theme concludes in the underride protection element, where three milled out, gleaming chrome elements present a high-quality take on the modern preference for minimalist solidity.

Side view with an extrovert edge.

The qualities of a BMW X model merge with the values of a BMW Coupe in the muscular silhouette of the BMW Concept X4. Its proportions present a persuasive case for the BMW Concept X4 as the most dynamic vehicle in its segment. In hallmark BMW style, a longer wheelbase, relatively long bonnet, short overhangs and a set-back greenhouse lend the car an undeniable dynamism even when standing still. The striking interplay of surfaces creates a vibrant contrast of light and shadow that exudes a feeling of agility and power. Prominently rising lines mould the flanks into a wedge shape and give the car as a whole a forward-surging momentum.

The coupe-style roofline sweeps elegantly downwards and makes the car appear longer. Below, the windows extend well to the rear, where they are bordered by a dynamic interpretation of BMW’s signature Hofmeister kink. The stretched and shallow band of glass creates a persuasively dynamic link between the greenhouse and vehicle body, the slim glass surface giving the body an impressively powerful appearance. At the same time the visual centre of gravity is lowered, underlining the sporting mission statement summed up by the car’s flanks.

The BMW Concept X4’s contours include a new interpretation of the familiar BMW swage line, a pair of dynamic lines defining the eye-catching impact of the side view. A concave area under each swage line lends the flanks an almost sculptural expression – at once robust and dynamic. The surface volumes and definition of the contours deepen as they extend towards the tail and imbue the rear end with added stature. Here, the powerfully flared wheel arches team up with the concave surface below the rear swage line to visualise the power rippling through the rear wheels. The radiant exterior paint shade Long Beach Blue is a perfect match for the elaborately structured volumes and contours, and brings particular depth to the expressive design language.

Fitting the BMW X template, the wheel arches of the BMW Concept X4 are large and almost square in design. This prominent emphasis on the wheels draws further attention to the car’s planted stance and long wheelbase, while at the same time providing a visual showcase for the xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system. The pared-back, matt black protective cladding provides the final element of bodywork before the BMW Concept X4 meets the road.

Expressive 21-inch bi-colour light-alloy wheels round off the car’s appearance when viewed from the side. Intricate, high-gloss polished spokes provide visual allure, while behind them dark-coloured flame surfaces contribute an impressive feeling of depth.

Cutting-edge presence for the rear.

The rear of the BMW Concept X4 takes the sporting, width-accentuating elements of the front-end design and reproduces them with an emphatically horizontal flavour. The body’s lines and the slim LED tail lights positioned at the outer edges of the rear emphasise the muscular wheel arches and wide track. Below, horizontal lines split the rear visually into sections, while light surfaces reduce the car’s visual height and underline its width.

The shallow rear window gives the vehicle body an even more powerful impression and its broad shoulders a show-stealing presence. Looking further down, the L-shaped rear lights of the BMW Concept X4 underscore its consummate stance on the road. A full-sized inner element in the tail lights, meanwhile, replicates the signature BMW “L” shape in three-dimensional form and with impressive depth.

The most striking element at the back of the car is the rear apron, which provides a wide, full-length interpretation of the front apron’s large outer air intakes. The apron’s cut-out picks up the two exhaust tailpipes in a dynamic sweep before diverting the gaze to the wheels. Body-colour elements reaching well down towards the road surface provide a high-quality border for the rear end and re-emphasize the road-focused proposition of the BMW Concept X4.

The underride protection acts as the body’s lowest edge. Matt black surfaces lower the car’s perceived height and accentuate the robust BMW X character of the rear. As at the front of the car, three milled elements in gleaming chrome add a sophisticated touch to the underride protection.

Because BMW is spreading its segment-busters down the line, it's now time for the 2015 BMW X4. And it looks just like a shrunken X6. Or a jacked up 4-series Gran Coupe. Actually, it looks like a lot of BMWs.

The company published the official images tonight of the car that also closely resembles the concept we saw around this time last year. It takes the popular X3 and stretches it by just 0.6 inches, but also lowers it by an inch and a half, to give it that AMC Spirit/Honda Crosstour roofline that was marginally popular once.

There's not much new on the inside, either. Engines are the common BMW variety, with the xDrive28i getting the 2.0-liter, 240-horse turbo four and the xDrive35i scoring the 3.0-liter 300-horse turbo straight six. An 8-speed automatic is the only transmission.Unlike the 2015 X3, there are no rear-wheel drive or diesel options.

In a nod towards practicality in the sports activity vehicle coupe whatever, there are three seatbelts, as well as a 40/20/40 split-folding seat. Just like you get in a 3-series wagon or X3, but without the space for heads.

It goes on sale this spring after its launch in April at the New York Auto Show, with the xDrive28i starting at $45,625 and the 35i kicking off at $48,925. That's about three grand more than an X3. Or about $15,000 less than an X6.

It's your value call.

Just days—hours, really—after the BMW X4 made its official debut at the Beijing auto show, prices for the U.S. model have appeared on Autoblog, apparently through a leak. The pricing documents don’t say anything too surprising. At a base price of $45,625 for the 240-hp X4 xDrive28i and $48,925 for the 300-hp X4 xDrive35i, the X4 starts about $6K pricier than the cheapest X3 on which it’s based in 28i form, and not quite $3K higher when the turbo six-powered 35i model is selected. The X4 will come in base, classy-looking xLine trim for another $1500 (28i) or $1000 (35i), or sporty M Sport regalia for $2300 (28i) or $1900 (35i). The options list is long, of course, full of fancy stuff such as leather upholstery, wheel and tire upgrades, and interior and safety-tech items, all ready to bloat the bottom line well into the mid-to upper $60K range. All X4s will come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, a rear-axle torque-distribution system, a moonroof, xenon headlamps, parking sensors, leatherette upholstery, burl walnut trim, and, well, you can check out the rest of the goods by clicking here.

Within its competitive set, the X4 splits the difference between the 240-hp, $41,995 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, and the $50,895 Porsche Macan S, the latter bringing another 40 horsepower and 39 lb-ft of torque compared to the X4 xDrive35i. If this seems like a lot of money for a tall, slightly awkward-looking four-plus-one-seat cute-ute, it is. You can decide for yourself if it seems worth it when it makes its U.S. debut at the New York auto show, later this month.

The upcoming X4 M40i has now been spotted without camouflage. While not a full blown M model, this X4 has been tweaked by BMW M just like the M135i, M235i, X5 M50d, and M550d "M Performance Automobiles."

And like the other M Performance Automobiles, the X4 M40i will receive the full M Sport treatment (aero kit, wheels, brakes, interior) along with a sportier suspension and chassis.

But, the X4 M40i is particularly important because our upcoming models info shows that it will be powered by a new reworked N55 3.0L turbo six engine (N55B30T0) producing around 370-380 PS (365-375 HP), which will also power the BMW M2 when it arrives in early 2016.

The X4 M40i begins production December 2015.