BMW Concept X4

With the Concept X4 BMW aims at extending the successful formula of the X6 – defined Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) – into the mid-size segment.

Like the X6, the Concept X4 blends elements of a SUV with those of a Coupe.

The main dimensions are a length of 4,648 mm, a wheel- base of 2,810 mm, a width of 1,915 mm and a height of 1,622 mm.

The proportions are defined by the relatively long hood, pushed back cabin, short overhangs, an arched coupe-like roofline and large 21-inch wheels.

The surface treatment uses many elements already seen on the recently introduced 3 Series Gran Turismo, with the closest similarities found in the rear section.

A new design element is the crease line that gives shape to the rear shoulder, reinterpreting BMW’s swage line and enhancing the dynamic look of the car.

The X4 will be built at BMW Plant Spartanburg in the USA, which also produces the BMW X5, BMW X6 and BMW X3.

Below we report selected design details from the official press release.

From the official Press Release:

Design

Front end

The front-end styling of the BMW Concept X4 exudes dynamism and the rugged purpose and presence.

Classical BMW features such as the kidney grille and stylized twin circular headlights give the front end a clear identity.

The large kidney grille stretches out within a solid-looking surround. The high-gloss frame is open to the sides and at its lower extreme, lending it an almost “floating” appearance in the centre of the front end.

The grille features prominently sculptured bars with ultra-stylish detailing.

The hollowed out, high-gloss black bars have a milled lower third with a matt finishing, which lends the kidney structure extra visual depth. And the grille also comprises additional air apertures to ensure an increased supply of cooling air to the engine.

The kidney grille is flanked by dynamically contoured full-LED headlights. Inside the light units, a flowing, hexagonal interpretation of the familiar BMW twin circular appearance points to an unwavering focus on the road ahead.

The horizontal continuation of the inner light elements creates a visual connection with the grille, accentuating once again the width of the front end.

This dynamic impression extends to the front apron. In keeping with BMW Coupe tradition, the side air intakes are larger than the inner units and make a visual feature of the increased cooling air requirement.

The side air intakes pick up on a stylistic theme from the kidney grille; their black horizontal bars are, like the grille’s, partly milled out but boast gleaming chrome edges. It all makes for an enticing contrast of materials, a fusion of high-end quality with the characteristic robustness of BMW X vehicles.

This design theme concludes in the underride protection element, where three milled out, gleaming chrome elements present a high-quality take on the modern preference for minimalist solidity.

Side View

In hallmark BMW style, a longer wheelbase, relatively long hood, short overhangs and a set-back greenhouse lend the car an undeniable dynamism even when standing still.

The interplay of surfaces creates a vibrant contrast of light and shadow: prominently rising lines mould the flanks into a wedge shape and give the car as a whole a forward-surging momentum.

The coupe-style roofline sweeps elegantly downwards and makes the car appear longer. Below, the windows extend well to the rear, where they are bordered by a dynamic interpretation of BMW’s signature Hofmeister kink.

The stretched and shallow band of glass creates a persuasively dynamic link between the greenhouse and vehicle body, the slim glass surface giving the body an impressively powerful appearance. At the same time the visual centre of gravity is lowered, underlining the sporting mission statement summed up by the car’s flanks.

The BMW Concept X4’s contours include a new interpretation of the familiar BMW swage line, a pair of dynamic lines defining the eye-catching impact of the side view.

A concave area under each swage line lends the flanks an almost sculptural expression – at once robust and dynamic. The surface volumes and definition of the contours deepen as they extend towards the tail and imbue the rear end with added stature.

Here, the powerfully flared wheel arches team up with the concave surface below the rear swage line to visualize the power rippling through the rear wheels.

Fitting the BMW X template, the wheel arches of the BMW Concept X4 are large and almost square in design. This prominent emphasis on the wheels draws further attention to the car’s planted stance and long wheelbase, while at the same time providing a visual showcase for the xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system. The pared-back, matt black protective cladding provides the final element of bodywork before the BMW Concept X4 meets the road.

Expressive 21-inch bi-colour light-alloy wheels round off the car’s appearance when viewed from the side. Intricate, high-gloss polished spokes provide visual allure, while behind them dark-colored flame surfaces contribute an impressive feeling of depth.

Rear end

The rear of the BMW Concept X4 takes the sporting, width-accentuating elements of the front-end design and reproduces them with an emphatically horizontal flavor.

The body’s lines and the slim LED tail lights positioned at the outer edges of the rear emphasize the muscular wheel arches and wide track.

Below, horizontal lines split the rear visually into sections, while light surfaces reduce the car’s visual height and underline its width.

The shallow rear window gives the vehicle body an even more powerful impression and its broad shoulders a show-stealing presence. Looking further down, the L-shaped rear lights of the BMW Concept X4 underscore its stance on the road.

A full-sized inner element in the tail lights, meanwhile, replicates the signature BMW “L” shape in three-dimensional form and with impressive depth.

The most striking element at the back of the car is the rear apron, which provides a wide, full-length interpretation of the front apron’s large outer air intakes.

The apron’s cut-out picks up the two exhaust tailpipes in a dynamic sweep be- fore diverting the gaze to the wheels.

Body-color elements reaching well down towards the road surface provide a high-quality border for the rear end and re- emphasize the road-focused proposition of the BMW Concept X4.

The underride protection acts as the body’s lowest edge. Matt black surfaces lower the car’s perceived height and accentuate the robust BMW X character of the rear. As at the front of the car, three milled elements in gleaming chrome add a sophisticated touch to the underride protection.

(Source: BMW)