BMW, like Audi and Mercedes-Benz, seems to be churning out launch after launch every second month, and keeping up this trend July ‘14 kicks off with the Germans giving us the 2015 BMW X4. Based on the 4-Series coupe platform, the X4 draws inspiration from the X6, both of which are tall sport utility passenger cars with sloping rooflines and hatch opening instead of trunks. Sports Activity Coupe, is the term BMW uses to promote them, a term which for hardcore enthusiast may be technically incorrect to accept because of the four passenger doors (Coupe is a car with only two passenger doors). So as the 2015 BMW X4 makes its way into European dealerships we bring to you everything you need to know about the X4 ahead of a speculated Indian debut in 2015.
Price:
Expect the 2015 X4 to command a fairly reasonable price tag of Rs 50-60 Lakh. (Ex-Showroom)
BMW X4, A Preview:
Exteriors:
Compared to the X6, the scaled-down X4 is close to eight inches shorter, four inches narrower and lacks about five fewer inches between the front and rear wheels. It’s also lighter by more than 250 Kg, which legitimizes the “sport” term to a degree. Apart from that there is not much deviation in terms of the design language when compared to the X6.
Interiors:
The interior is the right mix between being sporty while still maintaining the luxurious feel of a BMW. The dash and wood-trimmed control panel are well laid-out, with BMW’s console-mounted iDrive Controller directs most of the key functions, including climate, audio and communications. There’s plenty of room for four passengers -Five will be comfortable too- and the ceiling is high enough at the mid-point that only taller adults might notice and silently be grateful for because at the rear the headroom falls short.
Engine:
Power for the X4 comes from four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, similar to the X3. The lineup starts with the 2.0-liter 190 HP four-cylinder diesel and extends to the 3.0-liter 313 HP six-cylinder diesel engine. All variants feature an 8-speed automatic transmission sending power to all wheels using BMW’s xDrive system.
BMW’s testing indicates that the four-cylinder will shoot to 100 KMPH from rest in 6.0 seconds, while the six-cylinder handles it in 5.2 seconds.
Features:
Beyond the usual set of toys the X4’s key attribute is stowage flexibility. With the rear seat occupied there’s still plenty of space behind it. When more room is required, the 40:20:40 split-folding second-row bench increases the load space appreciably, although not quite to the extent that a comparably sized wagon — BMW’s X3, for instance — can provide.
Other features which come as standard are:
- A power moonroof and liftgate
- Eight-way power front seats
- Backup warning system
- High-strength xenon headlights
- Rain-sensing wipers
While safety features include:
- Front airbags
- Side-impact airbags
- Side-curtain airbags
- Anti-lock brakes
- Traction control
- Stability control
Market Competitors:
BMW is the creator of this part sport-part hatchback segment with the X6, but whether the X4 was really required when it could dive into the sales figures of the X6 is up for debate. The German manufacturer are yet to make a formal announcement regarding the cars Indian Launch, but reports suggest that BMW is conducting an in depth market analysis of our market hence encouraging reports of a 2015 launch.
Sourec: Times Dispatch
