Coupe Aspirations

Back in the day, things were simple; you had hatchbacks, sedans, coupes, convertibles and SUVs. But now, simple doesn’t cut it.

People want more: the flexibility of space in a two-door to hang out with friends while looking good on the road, fuel economical monster-like trucks to drop their kids at school, and SUVs with the looks and dynamics of a sports car. Well, manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz and BMW are catering to their whims and fancies by creating these segments and pseudo-segments just to make an individual feel like one.

Under our microscope today is the latest example from the relatively new segment, the SAC or Sports Activity Coupe and, particularly, the 2015 BMW X4. Now it is known that there is an audience for such vehicles as demonstrated by the X6 — but that was larger, quicker and brash with a suit on; this car here is a little different. We find out whether this new X4 has the goods!

Design & Aesthetics

Let’s get one thing straight: this X4, regardless of what BMW calls it, is just another crossover SUV with a swoop to the roof. It is based on the X3 but is 14 mm longer and 36 mm lower. Placed against a ruler, it measures 4,671 mm in length, 2,089 mm between the ears and stands 1,624 tall. So to some, it’s a bit like a mid-size sedan, only taller.

Stylistically, it is every bit like the attention-craving X6 sibling. At the front fascia, you have a pronounced kidney grille which is a hallmark of the company, first featured in the 303 mid-sized saloon manufactured in 1933 and 1934.

The optional M sport package on our test car gives it that massive air intake at the lower apron on either side. And as for light clusters, it doesn’t get better than this; the chopped off circular headlamps with xenon HIDs are sufficient to light up the roads, but you also have “flashier” LED headlamps and fog lamps.

So far it’s all good and conventional, looking like a revamped version of the X3; it’s when you view it from the side that the distinction of its coupe-like silhouette becomes apparent. Yes, the roof, which is at the highest point above the driver, swoops down gently rearward and terminates at the rear deck. Another thing that emphasises character is the combination shoulder line, one that starts behind the rear wheel and incorporates the door handles and terminates at the second door handle. And the second crease — a new sickle line that flows over the rear wheel arches.

The standard models have 17-inch wheels, but with the M sport package, you get lighter, more aggressive wheels — a twin 5-spoke alloy variety with an 18-inch diameter and 245-section rubber all around, but even those are dwarfed by the massive wheels that are much needed for wheel articulation, especially if taken off-road. But everyone knows, these Beemers are just mall crashers and not dune bashers.

Over to the rear, you have familiar streaks of LED lighting for the tail lamps, as seen on the 3-Series. The truncated rear end look does appeal to some, but what I didn’t like is that these days you have Toyota Camrys with dual tail pipes; why can’t you have that instead of one-sided twin exhaust pipes? It puts some age into the so-called radical design.

From an aesthetic perspective, the X4, I suspect, is like wearing a pair of high heels — it’s going to quadruple your stance and swagger but that finesse comes with fatigue and faults that we will be talking about more. Lucky for BMW, people are suckers for them.

The story turns slightly awry when you step into the interiors, which have been borrowed from the X3. It is, without question, well built, uncluttered and well-laid out, but it has been that for about four years and for a new car like the X4, there is no element that intrigues the owner in terms of style and function. BMW may say if it’s not broken, why fix it? To that I say, it’s time to break that monotony and add some zing.

In typical BMW manner, you have a legible instrument cluster lit in an amber tone, which they claim causes less fatigue to the eyes. As for shifting ratios, you have a unique walking-stick like stubby lever which works like a rocker switch, meaning it comes back to its original position even if you push it forward or back.

I like that the HVAC controls are still hard button and some for the eight radio presets are too. But besides that, everything else listens to the infamous iDrive controller, while displayed on the 8.8-inch full-colour display.

The seats are typical German — may come across as tough and may hinder comfort — but the leather in which they are draped and the contrasting stitching make it good-looking. With the M sport package, you have seating with additional vertical panelling and stitching. There is plenty of power-adjustability up front and as for the rear, which is the big question, you better watch your head getting in — that sloping roof provides the inspiration for many a swear word. But the rear seating, small as it may seem, can seat taller people quite comfortably.

Sufficient legroom and headroom has been allotted, achieved by dropping the seats’ height, which means tall customers may have their knees around their ears, especially in the middle seat. Again, this is not one for long journeys. At the rear, padded arm rests with requisite cup holders are a plus. Also, you have lovely padded armrests all around — at least they do in the top spec model — and that adds a degree of comfort.

One nice thing about this shrunken X6 is that the elevated driving position is only slightly elevated, meaning you don’t need to climb a mountain and plant a flag to get to the helm of the X4. Older folk will enjoy that better! Unfortunately, once inside, you’ll notice that the look out the back is terrible; all you get is a crescent shaped rear window. Reminds one of peeping through a keyhole!

Powertrain & Performance

The X4 is available as the xDrive28i model, which is propelled by a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder that makes 245 bhp and 350 Nm of torque, and capable of getting you to 100 km/h in 6.4 secs, which is plenty quick.

For the power craving lot, you have the xDrive35i with the coveted TwinPower 3.0-litre inline 6-cylinder that makes 302 bhp between 5,800 and 6,400 rpm; and 400 Nm between 1,200 and 5,000 rpm. Now, this is one mild-mannered beast that’s ready to eat up the miles. It will get you from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and tops out at 247 km/h, which (for comparison’s sake) is as quick as E46 M3 from a decade ago.

We tried a few acceleration runs with launch control, but somehow it didn’t feel as enthralling as on a few others — probably to do with the less-enthusiastic sounding motor noise and exhaust note. It’s probably not worth setting up launch control; instead, when the traffic light turns green, simply mash the throttle and zoom ahead. All engines are mated to an 8-speed Steptronic transmission, which is basically an automatic slush box, not a dual-clutch unit. The X4 may be performance oriented, but it is still a crossover, so… fair enough!

If this was 10 years ago, you wouldn’t dare question a 300 hp car’s fuel economy, but with the X4, it is a have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too situation. On a combined cycle — a mix of highway and city — this SAC will deliver an 8.3 l/100km, economical for any car. Its 67-litre tank would give you a theoretical range of about 800 kms; I wouldn’t bet on that though, because the current traffic rem-inds me of the jams from the late 2000s and the sporty demeanour demands a deeply buried foot. Ultimately, it’s not what you drive — it’s how you drive it.

Also, if you are the kind who segregates your garbage and has it recycled, you’d probably like to know that this xDrive35i emits only 193 grams of C02 per km. Giving it a credible rating are features like Auto Start-Stop function and Brake Energy Regeneration.

As for ride quality, it doesn’t completely soak up the imperfections, as you would expect from a crossover SUV, but is supple enough to justify its sporty demeanour. It can get a touch too crashy, especially with 19-inch wheels, so keep it between the 17 or 18-inch variety and you should be fine. We didn’t attempt to go like Lewis Hamilton on the roads, but even under aggressive driving, the xDrive four-wheel-drive system provides bucket loads of traction, which doesn’t get washed out mid-corner.

In a nutshell, the X4 steers well, stops well and goes well too. But it doesn’t quite immerse you in the driving experience, like say, an E46 M3, and we can probably point fingers at the Servotronic variable sport steering, which numbs the steering feel, and the insipid exhaust note. Perhaps, the rival from across town, the Porsche Macan, shall fair better.

Features & Functionality

Luxury begins with a 600-Watt 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with seven mid-range, seven tweeters and two centre bass; it also has individually sel-ectable equalising to suit your sense of sound. The system comprises the hands-free kit with USB interface, voice control, a DVD drive, as well as 20 GB memory for ripping audio files. Rear occupants can get the optional entertainment system with dual 8-inch TFT screens and two separate headphones.

The array of infotainment continues with the ConnectedDrive. The Concierge services act like call centre agents who advise you on the restaurants in the vic-inity, the ATMs etc. It is independent of the driver’s mobile phone and is available at home and abroad round the clock at no extra cost. The Navigation system controlled by the iDrive Touch Controller has livid graphics but is still not the easiest to use. You now have the option of entering destination addresses using handwriting recognition.

Talking about physical practicality and space, the rear folding seats is in the way — they can be split in a 40:20:40 and dropped down, improving the already useful 500-litre capacity by 900 litres. You can also ‘kick’ the underside of the trunk and it will open up, but this is now available on the Ford Escape. There is a tie-down system of hooks in the back that keeps groceries in place. Features like luggage nets, lashing rails and anti-slip reversible luggage compartment floor make it all the more utilitarian.

From a safety perspective, you have an exhaustive list that will ensure your safe return to your family. The Surround View system provides a 360° panorama view around the vehicle with help from cameras in the exterior mirrors, a wide-angle camera in front and the Rear View camera. You also have camera-based Lane Departure Warning, Pedestrian Warning systems with City Brake Activation, and Active Cruise Control that works from 30 km/h to 210 km/h — but it is always good to keep your eyes on the road, even if the car is capable of braking and accelerating on its own.

Verdict

The 2015 X4 is quite blatantly a lifestyle product, poised to be an ornament on your front porch, and a sportier poise than the more utility-based X3 on the road — consider it the hot sauce version. This is a good buy, let down by its exorbitant sticker price — but for people who swear by their brands, consider this guilty pleasure.