Geneva Motor Show 2018: New BMW X4 will be larger, lighter and more powerful

BMW has previewed the second-gen X4, ahead of its public launch at the Geneva Motor Show 2018. Larger, lighter and more powerful, the new SUV is on sale now from £42,900.

The 2018 BMW X4 is wider (54mm) and longer (81mm) than the outgoing SUV, but weighs 50kg less thanks to the extensive use of aluminium and ultra-high-strength grades of steel. BMW has also streamlined the design and lowered the car’s centre of gravity by 3mm to reduce its brick-like, aerodynamic drag by 10 per cent.

The engine line-up will be diesel dominated, with the performance focused 360PS M40i being the only petrol option. The entry-level 20d will be the most-efficient powertrain, with the 190PS four-cylinder unit returning an official 52.3mpg and 142g/km of CO2. The 30d uses a six-cylinder in-line diesel engine with 620Nm of torque. Claimed economy for the 265PS diesel is a respectable 47.9mpg and 156g/km, while the 0-62mph sprint can be completed in 5.8 seconds.

A straight-six diesel will power the range-topping M40d, which will generate 326PS and 680Nm of torque. This means it'll accelerate from 0-62mph in just 4.8 seconds and return an advertised 44.1mpg and 170g/km of CO2. The petrol M40i will be the most-powerful engine, with 0-62mph taking 4.8 seconds while official economy is an optimistic 31.4mpg.

All X4s direct their engine’s power to the road via an eight-speed Steptronic transmission and xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive as standard, while Experience Control lets the driver choose from Sport, Comfort and Eco Pro set-ups. High-powered models will also get a Sport+ mode that will provide sharper gear changes and better high-speed traction from the four-wheel drive system.

Semi-autonomous tech will be plentiful, with automatic city braking and active cruise control that will be capable of bringing the car to a halt in heavy traffic before and setting off again automatically. Another new feature, Parking Assistant Plus, will steer the 4.7 metre long X4 into parallel and perpendicular parking spaces.

BMW is promising better comfort and luxury, compared to the old X4, with acoustic glass to reduce road noise and leather trim fitted as standard. Three full-size seats provide passengers with an additional 27 millimetres of legroom over the previous model, while boot has capacity has been increased to 525 litres. This can be expanded to a maximum of 1430 litres by folding down the sections of the rear backrest, with its standard 40/20/40 split.

BMW has only released pricing information for the entry-level X4 20d (£42,900) and M40d (£55,315), but more specs and prices will revealed in full when the X4 makes its international debut at the Geneva Motor Show on 8 – 18 March.