FLUSHED with the success of its sport utility vehicle sales, BMW yesterday hit the Australian market with its fifth crossover vehicle variant and its second “sports activity coupe”, the X4.
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The SUV market has been a solid one for the German car maker, making-up 35 per cent of its total volume globally and accounting for 42 per cent of its total Australian sales last year, according to BMW Australia product manager Brendan Michel.
This latest family member sits between the X1, X3, X5 and X6 models and is technically identical to the X3, sharing that car’s platform, drivetrains, interior design, bonnet and front doors.
Unlike the X3, the newcomer reflects the styling of the bigger X6 model with a distinct “fastback” coupe slope on the roof that starts above the central or “B” pillar, giving the car a more aggressive look and a very distinctive appearance.
Despite the fact X3 and X4 are brothers beneath the skin, BMW has deliberately driven X4 upmarket, standardising equipment that would be classed as optional extras on X3 and lifting the price accordingly.
But, says Mr Michel, the extras do not alter the comparative prices.
“If you spec them (X3 and X4) identically they will be priced identically,” he said.
The five-seat, four-door coupe will be sold here in four models featuring four different turbocharged engines, two diesel and two petrol.
The entry-level xDrive20i is powered by a 2.0 litre, 135 kilowatt, four-cylinder and the xDrive35i by a 225 kilowatt, 3.0 litre six-cylinder.
The entry-level diesel-engined car, the xDrive 20d, has a 140 kilowatt, 2.0 litre engine and the xDrive30d a 190 kilowatt, 3.0 litre, six-cylinder engine. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard across the range.
Pricing starts from $69,430, not including on-road costs.
