BMW X4 Will Battle Cajun, Evoque In Sports SUV Niche

BMW has confirmed it will introduce a new member to its family of X-badged SUVs, introducing the long-rumoured X4 alongside the midsized X3. 

Speaking at Detroit this week, BMW board member Frank-Peter Arndt said a US$900 million investment in its Spartanburg, South Carolina plant will be needed to accommodate production of the new model.

"This is in response to rising global demand for the BMW X family to include the BMW X4," Arndt said.

Arndt said that the X4 will share its platform and powertrain options with the X3, differing in style just as the larger X6 brings a coupe profile to the X5 SUV's shape.

The arrival of the sporting X4 will give BMW a contender in the growing 'SUV coupe' niche, where it will duke it out with Porsche's upcoming Cajun, the Range Rover Evoque, and possibly a new 'Q4' from Audi. 

The X6 has proven a strong seller for BMW, and it is likely this fact that has motivated a green light for the X4.

As with the X6, an X4 line-up could conceivably include an M-badged version, perhaps powered by the twin-turbo 3.0 litre six that drives the limited-edition 1 Series M.