An active empty-nester’s dream
BMW has made the hearts of enthusiasts beat a little faster with the introduction of a M Performance version of their X4 crossover.
The 2017 X4 M40i is now the top-of-the-line model for what BMW likes to call a sports activity vehicle (as opposed to a crossover) segment. The X4 is slotted under the mid-sized X6, which shares its coupe-like silhouette.
The X4 M40i is a more stylish alternative for buyers considering more boxy offerings, such as BMW’s own X3.
In BMW’s universe, the evennumbered vehicles, such as the 2, 4, 6 and 8 are coupe-like. The odd-numbered vehicles, such as the 3, 5 and 7 are more upright and sedan-like.
Although it has a more coupelike appearance seen from the side, its front and grille is unmistakably BMW, with its aggressive visage and twin kidney grille.
The X4 shares many features with the X3 — except rear room. The X4 is 55 millimetres lower overall and cargo capacity (with the rear seats down) shrinks by 200 litres. Needless to say, if you have tall teenagers or carry a lot of equipment to games, the X4 may not be your best choice.
But I daresay that that was BMW’s intention. The X3 is for soccer moms, the X4 is for empty nesters (or young couples), who only need to use the back seats occasionally.
Their target market is people who don’t have kids, but are still active — hence the logic behind their insistence on calling the vehicle a sports activity coupe.
The M40i designation is also telling. The top-of-the-line X3 only has a 35i designation. The X4 not only has a 40i but M Performance attributes coming out of the gate.
What the extra numbers work out to is an extra 55 horses under the hood (from 300 to 355 horsepower) and an equally impressive bump in torque (from 300 to 343 lb.-ft.).
The displacement of the turbocharged, 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder engine remains the same.
Starting the engine gives little clue to the engine’s potential, as it always defaults to the Comfort setting. But drop it into Sport and its demeanour changes radically. Gone is the veneer of civility, and in its place a competitive athlete.
Goose the accelerator and the X4 practically leaps off the line, scooting to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds (BMW figures), nearly a second faster than the X3 35i and almost tied with the Porsche Macan Turbo (which is $25,000 more expensive).
The eight-speed automatic can be manually operated via the stick (just remember that on BMWs you have to pull back to shift up and push forward to shift down) or the steering-wheel paddles.
The M Performance package includes upgraded brakes and a firmer suspension with stiffer anti-roll bars. In Canada, the X4 M40i comes standard with staggered 20-inch wheels, shod with 245/40s in the front and 275/35aspect rubber in the rear.
The combination is like a dream setup for any enthusiast who loves the joy of carving up corners in backcountry roads. At times, one has to remind oneself that this is a four-door crossover (sorry, sports activity vehicle) and not a nimble two-door.
Although all X4s come equipped with all-wheel-drive, the vehicle defaults to a rear-wheel drive bias under normal driving conditions.
Be aware that the ultimate driving machine operates at its best with decent roads. The ultralow profile rubber doesn’t like potholes (but who does?).
Other than imperfect roads, not much else intrudes into the sumptuous cabin.
As the top-of-the-line offering, the M40i comes very wellequipped, including leather seats, sunroof, park sensors, power liftgate and others. The only observation here is that it was a pity the X4 didn’t get a larger, panoramic roof — it would have given the cabin a bit more light.
My tester came with all three option packages available — an Executive Package with included LED headlights, heated rear seats and Harman/Kardon sound system; Premium Package, which included navigation, a heads-up display and BMW Connected Drive; and the Technology Package, with surround view and active blind-spot detection.
The X4, like the X6 before it, is all about style and it delivers it in spades. While it is not all about utility, it does offer up more passenger and cargo capacity than a regular two-door coupe or convertible.
By giving the M40i an extra dose of juice, BMW is now going bumper-to-bumper with the Porsche Macan Turbo and the Mercedes-Benz GLC AMG 43 4Matic Coupe.
With children finally out of the house, there has never been a better time for an enthusiast to be an “active” empty nester.