In less than two weeks, BMW will host the North American premiere of the top-echelon BMW X4 at the New York International Auto Show, the most powerful iteration of the X4 to date: the X4 M40i M Performance.
The New York Auto Show officially runs from March 30 to April 8, but BMW will also have representatives on hand at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City for interviews at the BMW stand on the March 28 and 29 press days. In addition to the X4 M40i M Performance—will that badge fit on the trunk?—the New York show will feature the totally new BMW X2, the i8 Roadster and the updated i8 Coupe, the new M5, the i3s, and the X3.
The X4 M40i M Performance is powered by a three-liter turbocharged inline six that generates 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque, enough to take the Sports Activity Coupe from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds—not bad for 4,235 pounds! The eight-speed sport-automatic transmission comes with Sport and Manual shift modes, and for the hands-on types, there are paddle-shifters on the steering wheel.
The second-generation X4 is slightly larger than its predecessor. A wider track will help handling, as will a lower center of gravity and better aerodynamics. M Sport brakes are standard on the X4 M40i.
The vehicle can be had with a big panoramic moonroof and a three-zone climate control system. Naturally, it will have its share of BMW Connected technology and driver-assistance features. When it arrives at dealerships this summer, the base price including destination-and-handling is $61,445.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]
