The BMW X3 crossover is about to get its top chopped.
Autocar reports that the BMW X4 “Sports-Activity Coupe” will make its debut at the 2014 New York Auto Show in April. Previewed by a concept at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show, the X4 will be a baby brother to BMW’s existing X6.
That means that, just as the X6 is an X5 with different styling, the X4 will share nearly all of its parts with the compact X3.
Expect the production X4 to stay pretty close to the concept, with butch truck-like styling supplemented by a sloping, coupe-esque roofline that should remove much of this utility vehicle’s utility.
The X4’s launch will coincide with a facelift for the X3, which will reportedly get a new front end to match its new sibling’s.
Powertrains will probably be shared as well. The current X3 is offered as an xDrive28i with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, good for 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and an xDrive35i with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, which produces 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque.
The current X6 isn’t the easiest thing to look at, but with the success of the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque and the imminent arrival of the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, it makes sense for BMW to field a small crossover that, if nothing else, will attract the curiosity of everyone at the local mall.
Speaking of the X6, the big BMW crossover coupe is reportedly due for a refresh, allowing it to benefit from the changes made to the 2014 X5. The updated version is set to debut at the 2014 Moscow Motor Show in November.
