BMW just loves molding its sedans into funny shapes, and so in the future, we will likely see more derivatives of BMW's 3- and 5-series platforms. In fact BMW announced that future vehicle will include a new mid-sized SUV (yes, BMW calls it a SAV - Sport Activity Vehicle - but we're not playing that game.) It will be called X4 and is set to be revealed sometime next year.

Based off the 3-Series, the X4 will be to the X3 like what the X6 is to the X5. It will borrow styling themes introduced on the X6, meaning it will be a tall, five-door fastback. Like its other X-Series siblings (except the X1), all-wheel drive will likely be the only drivetrain available. Also like the other BMW SUVs, it should be produced at the Spartanburg, South Carolina plant.

Even in uncertain fuel pricing times, BMW seems to be banking its future on SUVs. The X1 will go on sale in Europe next year and in USA in 2010. A redesigned X3 is scheduled for 2010 and a diesel version of the X5, with the complicated name X5 xDrive35d debuts this year. The X6 will get a freshening in 2012.

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