A Coupe SUV is something everyone is expecting. Land Rover has already announced the LRX Concept for the Detroit Auto Show; so it was about time for the best German maker to start working on a coupe SUV. The upcoming model will be based on the X3 SUV; actually will be a shrinked X3 with two-doors. BMW will launch a concept version sometime this year; while the production version will follow in 2009 and sales will begin in 2010.

The X-Series is a real success for BMW. For example the new X5 was sold out in Germany a month before it really went on sale and the X3 is selling very well, despite its high price. The X6 launched in December turned out to be a real success among the press. This is a very good reason for BMW to start working on a more compact version of the X-Series. It will be called X4 and like the X6 was inspired by X5, it will be based on the X3.

The X4 will be a pure road car, with sporty design elements: it will feature narrow roof pillars and frameless windows. It is expected to be around 10 cm thinner than the X3 and also 5 cm shorter.

Under the hood the X4 will feature the same engines as the X3, but with a few power improvements. There will be a 2-liter diesel engine that will deliver 177 hp; a 3-liter diesel that will deliver 231 hp and the turbo version that will deliver 300 hp. The petrol engine will start from a 2-liter four-cylinders engine that will deliver 163 hp and will go up to a 3-liter turbo engine that will deliver 306 hp.

BMW will not produce an M version, but the flagship coupé could be powered by the 4.0-litre petrol V8 that is set to appear in the all-new M3 due next year. Transmission options will include five and six-speed automatics, as well as a manual gearbox with six ratios.

Even if the X4 will be based on the X3, it will also borrow a few technologies from the X5. This include: active steering, automatic roll stabilization (Dynamic Drive), adjustable dampers (EDC), night vision equipment, head-up display, remote lighting assistant.