BMW X4 debut at Detroit 2013

The BMW X4 – a coupe version of the X3 aimed at the Range Rover Evoque and Porsche Macan – will debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show.

The BMW X4 – a baby X6 – has been on the cards for some time. We first reported BMW were planning on building a coupe version of the X3 in early 2010 and by late 2010 we were hearing that BMW had signed off the X4 for production. And now it’s set to arrive at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

Autoweek report that the debut for a production version of the BMW X4 will be at Detroit and that it will, as expected, share its underpinnings with the X3 but with an overtly sporty coupe body and four seats.

The X4 will give BMW a car that is aimed to compete on more level terms with the style-focused Range Rover Evoque and the new Audi Q5 based Porsche Macan, and give BMW the chance to charge more premium prices than they can with the X3.

In Europe, we’re likely to see the new X4 launch with the same engines as the X3 – which means and X4 18d, X4 20d, X4 30d and X4 35d – but it looks like there will also be a an X4 M that will share an engine with the next generation M4.

A reveal of a production version of the BMW X4 at Detroit should see the new X4 on sale before the end of 2013 in Europe, just as the Porsche Macan arrives and probably around the time we see a performance version of the Range Rover Evoque.