X3/X4 BMW considering X4

[SCOTT27]

The raised up E91 Protoype holds the drivetrain for the new BMW X3 and yes it is an old picture from a couple of years back.

The X6 has been a huge success and we have discovered an interest in a smaller mid-size concept retaining the similar functions of an X6.
Our ideas point to a Sport Activity Sedan which connects both sedan and Coupe with a unique tailgate similar to the BMW 5er Gran Turismo.
The roofline follows the form of the X6 but the rear allows for a rear deck , giving it a more sedan like feel to the shape.

The project is entirely viable due to the sharing of platform , drivetrains and technology with the X3. And again like the X6 and X5 there will be noticeable differences in how the cars drive.
A Coupe 3dr has also been devised , but a concept could follow "concept form" and adding a rear hinged rear passenger door for maximum effect.

Engines will be shared again with the X3 so customers could envision an xDrive20d X4. Rear Wheel Drive sDrive could also feature.

If you look at this Huckfeldt image... And when I say look only look at the outline and forget the details and you can see the brief BMW design are working to especially with the sedan-like rear deck.

Why another SAV? Well the segments that will experience more growth over the next decade are CityVehicle (MegaCityVehicle , MINI , BMW FWD) , C-Segment (1er) , D-Segment (3er) and Small(X1,MINI Countryman) and mid-sized (X3,X4?) SAV's.

Bases BMW have got covered , due to redirection of investment over the past few years.

 

[Palbay]

More info on the X4.Good news for our area....more spy pic's for me Thanks. PalBay BMW poised to add X4 to lineup in 2014

 

[south]

Apparently a marketing presentation with the project leader for the F25 X3 took place today, and so it happens that I just got a hint on interesting new models BMW is evaluating to possibly expand the X3 lineup.

First, there's the new X4, of which there is already a design which is described as very sporty - a bit sleeker than the X6 and adds a trunk similar to the GT allowing its concept idea as a Sport Activity Sedan. It takes some design cues from the new X3 but reverses them - for example that character line on the X3 is reversed on the X4 by having the line shoot upwards to the A-Pillar instead of downwards to the wheel arch (per Scott). The guys at BMW really seem to be fond of this car, so the X4 has been scheduled to be presented as a concept car sometime next year. Expect the production version to be launched in late 2013 or early 2014.

On top of that, BMW is also working on the X3 Active Hybrid, X3 xDrive35is and the X3 M. All are in their mature phases of development already. The X3 xDrive35is and X3M bodyshells will be shipped from Spartanburg to Munich where they will build evaluation models of the proposed strategy (per Scott).

Besides, there are two more engines coming for the X3. It appears that BMW is preparing a new diesel engine and a new petrol engine, both to make the X3 accessible to a broader customer pool. No word if these engines will be available in the US, though.

In other news, X6 sales have now passed 100,000 units. Needless to say that this is quite a success.


Best regards,
south

 

[Palbay]

All good stuff .......saw the aero wheels on an early 2nd Gen X3 mule....figured a hybrid was coming.Thanks. PalBay

 

[SCOTT27]

With the X6 and X5 BMW have realised that customers want more identity from these vehicles so in future , beginning with the X4 you will not see , simply in terms of immediate visual appearance... an X3 Coupe.

There will be visual differences between the next X5 and X6 but it starts with the X3 and X4. The front lights for example get upturned corners with a more sporting wraparound look for the rear , different surface sculpture and more sporty looking front facia.

X4 also gets a more pronounced wheel arches but do not use the line on the X3 to enhance the wheel arch. It is more three-dimensional adding a broad rear quarter.

X4 will enter the market with four and six cylinder engines in petrol and diesel formats , A Hybrid will also be offered. X4 will also get the latest version of BMW's Dynamic Performance Control stability programme.

 

[bombardier01]

Hmmm.. seems good from the sketch!
Like the X6, but sleeker and more stylish. Scott, does it use the new design language like the next X5 or current design?

 

[EMpower]

Looks like a X4 ghost

 

[SCOTT27]

Like all X vehicles it will be designed with the typical X robustness , solidity that define the range of X Vehicles , but will add some elegant elements to the design. The X4 and next X5 begins an interesting new approach to X vehicles which will give a striking balance between their predecessors and BMW's evolving design language.

Autocar.UK on the X4 - Moving Forward...

 

[Mr Robert]

What will it do?

 

[klier]

^^^ Not more than X3. And of course it will help BMW sell more cars...

Looks like a X4 ghost

More like X4 VED

 

[SCOTT27]

It will be engineered to match how the X6 is very different to drive from the X5, now that the X6 is established (original projections for the X6 at this time period were at 40,000 units , we have almost surpassed three times that amount. But we have discovered an opening for a smaller Sport Activity Coupe.

One thing learned about the X6 though is that customers would prefer a more seperate identity than the X5. X4 and X6 will introduce this new approach although undeneath they will still be based on the X3 and X5 respectively.

New design details established on the X1 and the new X3 such as sculpted surfaces and higher rear window line will move to the X5 and X6 also new to the X5 will be T-Shaped rear lights from the X3 as they move to give X vehicles typical X characteristics and visually seperate them from the road car portfolio.

X4 , X5 and X6 will build upon BMW's latest design philosophy in which wheelarches are defined by making them more three-dimensional , instead of building them out by adding more technicality and un-needed lines.
The X5 for example uses the same but a more dramatic angle "slash" through the front doors from the wings , ahead of this the front quarter of the car is more pronounced expanding the width of the car and especially the wheel arches , a similar line at the rear does the same expanding the rear wheel arches. This is important for the interior in which space is increased and suspension mountings are pushed out without compromising interior space. X4 will do something similar but it will keep a bloodline with the X3 although the front and rear will be seperate designs.

Although you dont like it but X sales in X1 , X3(E83) , X5 (E53),(E70) and X6 have been highly profitable for BMW. Advance orders for Europe are sold out until spring on the new F25 X3 , The X1 continues to surpass it's projections and next year the M-Sport Packet will help further sales with the X1 , X6 receives it's Life Cycle Impulse,, on the back of high sales whilst the LCI X5 has proved to be the best selling SAV of it's segment. MINI Countryman in parts of europe is sold out until April 2011.

As for a smaller Sport Activity Coupe based on the X1? It is under consideration but could form part of the Lifestyle orientated "Y" Concept under development which takes the essence of the original X Coupe concept mixing a Z with an X although exclusively with 2drs.

The "Y" also has scope for expansion especially with a 2dr shooting brake type car and maybe an open air X vehicle.
Interesting enough is that although it is labeled "Y" because of the proximity to "X" and "Z". Discussion has ranged on calling the car "K" due to the "half "X" in which the Y is a Z vehicle fused with an X vehicle-
half and half.

For the time being though MINI will extend it's Countryman with a more sporting Activity Coupe which looks as if it will arrive in both 2dr and 4dr with double rear-hinged doors to add to it's uniqueness.
The MINI will be aimed at the Range Rover Evoq with the intent to match it's style but not at the same price.
This picture especially from the front doors back to the rear is an indication of how the car is progressing , the concepts and ideas are similar, especially the roof line.

MINI Activity Coupe , BMW X4 and the "Y" project are all projects of BMW's strategy aimed at the growing Compact and Premium entry segments which are heading for increased growth.

 

[SKY]

I initially thought the Concept you talk about SCOTT was going to be one related to the new X5, but after your continuos feedback abut the X4 I think it´s going to be the latter.

 

[bombardier01]

Scott, is that the sketch of the new X5 on your avatar? Wowwww seems great!

 

[EMpower]

Like all X vehicles it will be designed with the typical X robustness , solidity that define the range of X Vehicles , but will add some elegant elements to the design. The X4 and next X5 begins an interesting new approach to X vehicles which will give a striking balance between their predecessors and BMW's evolving design language.

So the 3rd gen X5 will be revolutionary design, rather than evolutionary design?


This looks more like X3 M

 

[allenwalker]

The BMW Board has cancelled the X4.

Source : CAR UK magazine November 2010, Georg Kacher from Paris info straight from the higher ups not some creative marketing.

 

[SCOTT27]

Still very much active. It is imperative to not disclose your strategy directly to journalists - ie " There will be no 1M coupe" , what is this then?

Dont forget to let the door hit you on the way out...

 

[allenwalker]

Still very much active. It is imperative to not disclose your strategy directly to journalists - ie " There will be no 1M coupe" , what is this then?

Dont forget to let the door hit you on the way out...

Geez, how many doors did hit you with the Z2, new Z3, new Z8, X2 ?

I would rather take the word from BMW's higher ups, thanks.

 

[Sunny]

^lol

 

[SCOTT27]

I dont think you understand German humor?
That last part was aimed at the journalists.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Still very much active. It is imperative to not disclose your strategy directly to journalists - ie " There will be no 1M coupe" , what is this ...

Then why do you undermine this by revealing on here that there WILL be an X4?