The Munich giant has done it again, but this time in the form of an SAC or Sports Activity Coupe. Bimmer has undoubtedly been on roll in this department, ever since the first BMW X6 broke cover, and subsequently headlines. On the local front we’ve recently seen the F16 BMW X6 launched here in CKD guise, which leads one onto the question – is there such a demand for premium crossovers that giants such as Bimmer has bowed to such demands and actually proceeded to design and build a crossover based on a 3-Series coupe ? Rhetorics aside, enter the BMW X4 M40i.
In terms of styling and the looks of it all, the X4 really does embody a shrunken down version of the X6. It has all the right lines and shapes in terms of design and it really does exude the sporting nature that the 4-Series and X6 for that matter, give off. But that being said, there’s nothing wrong with a slightly compact version of the X6. Where some customers have thought it to be daunting and proportionately sized, the X4 does a superb job of being slap-bang in the middle of that scale. But one can only imagine, Bimmer pulled this off purely as a marketing stunt and less of a range-filler. A matter of perspective one could say.
As with BMW, any car leaving the factory that’s christened with the letter “M” truly is something to behold and as much as this X4 may have mixed reviews and opinions, it is an M car – or sort off. While it may not be the full banana, it does have substance to match the badge that’s stuck on the back. The X4 comes with a straight-six 3.0-litre motor that you might find in the most of the hardcore M-cars, albeit in different states of tune. In this state of tune however, the engine makes 360 hp from between 5,800 and 6,000 revs.
That’s more than a 100 horses per cubic liter, which in the realms of power efficiency, puts it in the green for this Bimmer. Thanks to the beauty of turbocharging, this big-bore sixer puts out 465 Nm of torque from as low down as 1,350 rpm all the way up 5,250 rpm which gives the Bimmer a very linear power feel with power and torque available all throughout the mid-range rev band, thus giving it an effortless impression which explains how the M40i accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h in less than five seconds. And because of an old gentleman’s agreement between the Deutsch giants, the X4 tops out at 250 km/h.
Blistering figures aside, this X4 was conceived and built in an era where even the titans of industry are powerless but to conform to stern and draconian emissions regulations set by eco-mentalists. So for the good of the environment, this 360hp AWD crossover coupe will return a fuel consumption figure of 8.6 litres per 100 km and a combined CO2 emissions sum of 199 grams per km. To give it some perspective, this writer’s Proton Gen-2 with a measly 1,600 cc engine is returning the better part of 9.5 litres per 100km.
But forgot not that this fine specimen bears one of the most widely recognised roundels in the automotive sphere and is synonymous with sheer driving pleasure and excitement. Which is why Bimmer has stuck this X4 full to the brim with hot handling bits such as adaptive dampers specifically tuned to M Performance specifications. The BMW xDrive four wheel drive system with its rear wheel-drive characteristics includes Performance Control which ensures a neutral self-steering response as well as a reduced roll tendency, not to mention the tuned sports chassis with stiffer springs and stabilisers.
Having said all that lot, this hot X4 (painted in the company’s signature Estoril Blue shade) is due to make an appearance here on our shores, but there’s no word on that as yet. So in the mean time, do enjoy the high-resolution gallery below for you viewing delectation.
IMAGE GALLERY
