In a recent interview with a German magazine, BMW’s CEO Norbert Reithofer officially confirmed that the BMW X4 will actually enter into production. No further information was given about this model, but chances are that both building platform and engines will be completely borrowed from the X3 range. The styling of the X4 will be also inspired by the X3, in the same way as the X6 grew out of the X5.

Rumor has it that the new X4 will be 4.65 meters long and in addition we think it’s quite likely that its height will be significantly lower than the X3 standards. This would imply that the X4’s centre of mass will be lower as well, to the benefit of its handling on the road. The arrival of a possible “M” version of this model in the future has not been ruled out.

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Here’s one of the first BMW X4 renderings in which we can see that it won’t be an oversized X3, although Theophilus Chin has imagined it as rather an undersized BMW X6. In fact, BMW has itself declared that the X4 will be quite different from the X3 and it seems the two could function together much like the relationship between the X5 and the X6 - one a traditional SUV style and other the coupé-crossover mix so in vogue at the moment.

According to recent rumours, the X4 project is on stand-by at the moment as BMW hashes out its X5/X6 platform. The current plan seems to be to share as many components as possible across the SUV line, the X3 included, although that won’t be easy with the two different styles as mentioned above.

The BMW X4 seems to have been given the unofficial go-ahead after Porsche announced its Porsche Cajun model is going to production. And if the X4 does get to production, the bigger X6 could raise its stakes slightly in the luxury department come the next generation. It’s almost astounding that there is so much room for SUVs and Crossovers, especially with so many from the German brands, but there seems no slowing in the segment right now.

Source | Theophilus Chin

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Rumours that BMW could be developing a smaller BMW X4 model intended to represent a baby X6 are gaining momentum on BMW Blog with postings from a “BMW insider”. The rumour of the expanding X range to include a downsized X6 comes along with other models under consideration. The X4 would be an entirely new model with the same coupé-SUV design of the X6 and much of the platform and engine range of the BMW X3. This is an example of the X6 success and how BMW plans to make the most of it.

The rumours of developments to the X model line-up include other models reportedly being considered: X3 M and an X3 35iS. The latter would be a model sharing the same engine as the BMW Z4 35iS: a straight-six twin turbo with 335 hp and 500 Nm of torque. Rather than replacing a possible X3 M, it would appear alongside the performance variant which would use the same powerplant as the upcoming 1M.

Source | BMW Blog via WCF

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I’m going to declare my prejudice against the BMW X6 and say that the BMW X4 (although this is a rendering and not the real deal) I find equally as difficult to place as a truly useful vehicle. The more compact version of the X6 is set to debut sometime in 2012, and while it represents the little brother, the X4 will be based on the new X3 generation. Instead of having the SAV (Sport Activity Vehicle) label, it will be called an SAS, or Sport Activity Sedan.

The BMW X4 will basically be more of a sedan than a four-door coupe and will be available in both the four-wheel drive xDrive version and an sDrive rear-wheel version (unlike the X3 which is available only in the former). It seems that everything is ready for the X4 to be developed and then debut, but it still hasn’t been given the official green light from BMW management.

Source | BMWBlog

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It’s seems that over in Munich they love the letter “x”. Despite purists of the BMW brand maybe scratching their heads, the company is seriosly intent on broadening its range of SUVs and SAVs.

The great success of the new X5 and the X6 is clear testimony to the heightened appeal of this type of car. In means that BMW certainly does not have any intention whatsoever of curbing its nvestment in such fertile niche markets.

In fact in 2010 it will be X1’s turn, the smallest of the BMW SUV’s whose dimensions place it halfway between the series 1, whose mechanics and platform it will use, and the series 3 touring. The new entry-level of the X range will have much a stylistic recall to its X6 sister. In particular the back-window and rear shape seen in camouflage phase, will be less truncated than the X5 and X3.

Continue reading: X1, X3 and X4: it's raining SUVs and SAVs at BMW

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