The BMW X4 SUV is set for launch early in 2014.
The launch is set to follow an unveiling of the BMW X4 at the Shanghai Motor Show, which is scheduled to begin the week of April 21.
The BMW X4 is the fifth model in BMW's X series and is similar to the BMW X6. Those familiar with the X6 regard the BMW X4 as a sort of junior version of that variant.
"Think of it as an X6 at a more affordable price point," BMW spokesperson Matt Russell said. While the price of the X6 is $60,000, the price of the X4 has not yet been announced.
The model being shown at the Shanghai Motor Show is a concept vehicle but it is expected that the final product will deviate little from the design. The BMW X4 shown has a length of 4,648 mm, a width of 1,915 mm and a height of 1,622 mm. It has a wheelbase of 2,810 mm and 21-inch bi-color light-alloy wheels. Other features for the SUV include light-alloy wheels, LED headlights, circular headlights and a kidney grille.
Plans for the BMW X4 were announced by BMW back in January 2012, at which time BMW also unveiled plans for 1,000 new employees and a $900 million investment in a facility for the new SUV. According to BMW, production for the vehicle is on schedule in the same production lines as the X3, X6 and X5. The BMW X4 is slated to appear at the Frankfurt Motor Show later in the year.
BMW started releasing X models in 1999. Currently one in every four new BMWs is an X model.
