[WilliCO]

I must be the target market for this X4.

I have an older Explorer that I use for duty unbefitting my nice car, so I don't need size - and we usually drive the kids around in my wife's Volvo.

I might buy an F32, but I live in Colorado where the roads are pretty bad and I can appreciate a little clearance, especially this time of year.

I have sports and music gear and I like the little extra height you get for cargo in this form factor when you fold the seats down.

Notwithstanding the RWD E60 I have now, I prefer an all wheel drive car and whatever I drive needs to be fast.

I find the X3 to be a little too cute.

Sadly, I have a psychological, if not economical, ceiling of about $55K for a new car, so a Cayenne or a tricked out X5 are off the table unless I go CPO.

This X4 sounds like it would look awesome with a bike rack on it. Send one my way, in Titanium Silver.

[bbg2d]

So for the X4, we are looking at an f26 and an f27?


EDIT: WJGreer, you and I are on the same page. The X4 will be like a 3-series for those of us with actual seasons.

[Gator328i]

I just don't get all of these new vehicles they are coming out with. What's the point of an X4? What market segment is it supposed to fill? It's almost like BMW is producing models just for the sake of doing it without any real rhyme or reason.

[WilliCO]

Originally Posted by Gator328i

I just don't get all of these new vehicles they are coming out with. What's the point of an X4? What market segment is it supposed to fill? It's almost like BMW is producing models just for the sake of doing it without any real rhyme or reason.

Well, see my post #23 above. I do think that the X4 is a car that a given person will either "get" and want very much, or not want at all. It won't be a volume seller.

[Gator328i]

I just think BMW is spreading itself too thin with all of these niche vehicles they're coming out with.

Obviously, the company is making money so they'll continue doing this until the formula stops working but I just cringe at the idea of BMW trying to fill every single market segment and then create these "tweener" type vehicles to go between segments essentially overlapping themselves.

I have to wonder how much they can continue to dilute the brand until it comes back to bite them.

[G2G]

lol...

[Legion5]

Can anyone help me with this here?


OK

So the point of an "SAV" like the X3 is that you take a regular 3 series and you put a bigger body on it so that you have car-like efficiency and performance, but with more storage capacity. This sacrafices sporty performance and looks. The point of the X4 then is to take an x3 and to chop the roof off and give it more sportiness at the cost of storage capacity. To me this seems like doing the equivalent of digging a hole and then filling it back up with earth again.

[M///1rider]

I am from new jersey and actually saw two bmws that arnt released yet but they were two full production vehicles. One was the x1 35i and let me tell u even tho it is a sports active or whatever the front looked mean!! Also i saw a 535i hybriddd!!! When will these be out

[kinan_sleiman2006]

Mini x6?don"t like it!!!

[sq86]

I'd love an X4M if they make it. Probably won't be till 2016 though.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by AMB

I love how they shove this "Sport Activity Vehicle" crap down our throats but won't give us the 1-series hatch or a proper 5-series Touring.

Dilution of a brand at it's worst.

Agreed. This is terrible.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Legion5

Can anyone help me with this here?


OK

So the point of an "SAV" like the X3 is that you take a regular 3 series and you put a bigger body on it so that you have car-like efficiency and performance, but with more storage capacity. This sacrafices sporty performance and looks. The point of the X4 then is to take an x3 and to chop the roof off and give it more sportiness at the cost of storage capacity. To me this seems like doing the equivalent of digging a hole and then filling it back up with earth again.

I will answer this question with the only "logic" that I have been able to come up with regarding this "platypus" type of vehicle.

I own a 2007 Acura MDX. Great, great vehicle. Last year it was in for service for about a week, and I had a ZDX loaner. The ZDX is akin to the BMW X6 - take the MDX and "coupe-ify" it. Only it's less successful than the X6 as rear entry, rear space and cargo space are a joke compared even to the X6, much less the MDX on which it's based. A friend of mine has an X6 and we lined them up side to side and compared. The X6 is a virtual Land Rover Discovery compared to the ZDX.

After driving it all week, I found that I really enjoyed driving the ZDX. It's handling was much sharper than the MDX. It handled with aplomb compared to any SUV / SAV, and it was generally pleasant to live with. As long as I didn't try to put my kids in it. That was a nightmare. But after a while, I think I figured out where the niche is:

Empty nesters.

Think of this car as the replacement for the old "coupes" of the past. Whereas empty nesters would have, a while ago, moved to a Caddy Eldorado, a Mercedes SEC, a BMW 6 Series, etc., the replacement for those cars (MB S Coupe, BMW 6, etc.) are much more expensive. Not only that, but they are generally low slung and hard to get into and out of, especially with those giant coupe doors.

Cars like the CLS and A7 attempt to replicate the look, but the advantage of an X6 or ZDX is that they have more cargo space, and they are easy to get into and out of as their elevated height makes it easier for boomers to get in without falling down in or climbing up out.

That's the only reason I can think of that these things exist, to be honest.

[Thud]

Originally Posted by Diver

It's kind of amazing that we are seeing a whole new class of vehicles spawned from the X6. Accura has jumped into this space as well. Nice of BMW to return some of the money to the USA.

Another WTFUV.

The basic formula seems to be:

1) Take an existing SUV platform and reduce the rear headroom and cargo capacity
2) Charge more money


On the plus side, more investment into BMWNA.

[WilliCO]

Originally Posted by Thud

The basic formula seems to be:

1) Take an existing SUV platform and reduce the rear headroom and cargo capacity

...for customers who prioritize style over utility. Exactly. It may not appeal to you, but BMW thinks it appeals to someone.

Everyone has their own spot on the continuum; otherwise why don't we all just buy white minivans? They have way more headroom and cargo capacity.

I'm not really trying to be facetious; think about the mainstream car press' opinion of the X5 - sporty, but way less room than its competitors. I just think it's all about reading the target demographic.

I predict the X4 will do better than the X6 - similar design appeal, comparable performance, much better price point. We already know space isn't a big deal to these buyers.

[luckychicken]

Remember that foreign demand have different needs than domestic. It should sell really well.

This is great news for south Carolina. We need all the jobs we can get

[cipher5]

Very promising! Can't wait to see more details on the X4!

[gary88]

I remember when BMW still had dignity

[mike@Vossen]

Amazing how in 15 years they went from 0 SUVs to what 5. Its the market though, people are buying it.

Great news for S.C!

[yakev724]

Originally Posted by aajami

I don't really understand the market segment that the X6 (and now X4) take up, but I do love those cars' styling, so bring it on. The X6, Range Rover Evoque, Infiniti FX, and Acura ZDX are some sexy looking beasts -- can't wait to see what the X4 and X2 look like.

I agree. Don't see myself ever buying one over the more logical X3/X5 options.

[WilliCO]

Originally Posted by yakev724

I agree. Don't see myself ever buying one over the more logical X3/X5 options.

I don't think BMW is targeting people who would buy the X3/X5 otherwise.

With the X4, I think they are targeting people who would buy the 335 coupe, but who want a little more clearance, a little more cargo room, and maybe something a little less often seen on the road. At least, that's what the promotional material reads like.

[stefan]

Originally Posted by WJGreer

I don't think BMW is targeting people who would buy the X3/X5 otherwise.

With the X4, I think they are targeting people who would buy the 335 coupe, but who want a little more clearance, a little more cargo room, and maybe something a little less often seen on the road. At least, that's what the promotional material reads like.

In other words; a very popular choice in NA. I see X6's everywhere in downtown Calgary. Definitely don't understand it, but they sure do sell.

[SCOTT26]

Auto Zeitung have published a render of the X4 in the latest issue with the announcement of the X4 officially on the road to production.

The render shows some truth, like the actual car will be heavily based on the X3 in terms of style , however the appearance will be altered to allow it to appear more modern and sportier than the X3 so the two can co-exist.

Because BMW made a signifcant effort to make the X6 very much different to drive than the X5. The X4 will follow this philosophy too. With even the X4 getting the latest incarnation of dynamic performance control.