Launched: all new BMW X4
By khulekani / on Sep 25th, 2018 / in Car Reviews, featured
Recently, we travelled to KwaZulu-Natal to attend the launch of the new BMW X4. The X4 has been a success for BMW with over 200,000 units sold since its launch in 2014. Times have changed and the X4 has gained more SUV coupe rivals, both in the premium and non-premium arena. BMW thinks the past success and the work that has gone in the new second generation X4 will keep it ahead of the competition.
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Bigger and Better?
The new X4 has grown in size. There is an increase of 81 millimetres in exterior length to 4,752 millimetres, 54 millimetres added to the wheelbase (now 2,864 millimetres) and an extra 37 millimetres of width (1,918 millimetres). Notwithstanding the growth in size, the X4 is 50 kilograms lighter. In terms of new looks, in the centre of the front end stands a large BMW kidney grille in a three-dimensional look. Twin LED headlights with dynamic contours as well as horizontal fog lamps add to the classy look of the BMW X models. At the back, the LED rear lights have a three-dimensional shaping and twin exhaust tailpipes are available on all engine variants.
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Inside
Inside, the new X4 ups the ante on luxury. X logos are embossed into the electroplated surfaces of the doors, there is new Vernasca leather upholstery and an instrument panel in Sensatec trim can all be found on the extended list of optional extras, as can three-zone automatic climate control, active seat ventilation, ambient lighting, as well as the Ambient Air package, the BMW Display Key and the panoramic glass roof.
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How practical is the x4
There are three full-size seats in the rear offering more legroom than before with the growth in the body. Load space can be expanded from 525 litres to a maximum of 1,430 litres by folding down the sections of the rear backrest, with its standard 40:20:40 split.
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Power and performance
There are two petrol engines and one diesel engine from the launch of the all-new BMW X4. BMW X4 M40i (265kW/500Nm; fuel consumption: 9.2 – 9.0 l/100 km); the BMW X4 xDrive20d (140 kW/290Nm; fuel consumption combined: 5.6 – 5.4 l/100 km) and the BMW X4 xDrive20i (135kW/290Nm; fuel consumption: 7.8 l/100 km). All models employ the eight-speed Steptronic transmission with shift paddles on the steering wheel and BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive as standard.
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The all-new BMW X4 has enhance ride comfort thanks to chassis technology that has been systematically refined and honed to suit the X4, and a centre of gravity lower than that of the BMW X3. Standard specification includes not only M Sport suspension and the Performance Control function, but also variable sport steering. M Sport brakes and Adaptive Suspension with electronically controlled dampers are both available as optional extras.
The BMW M Performance models come equipped as standard with 20-inch light-alloy wheels, specially designed M Sport brakes and an M Sport differential, which generates a precise locking effect at the rear wheels to help the car take corners with confidence.
Pricing
The pricing of the new X4 is as follows: BMW X4 xDrive20i – R843,000; BMW X4 xDrive20d – R843,000; BMW X4 M40i – R1,132,800