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The X4 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.
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