German Car Zone

Whilst the anticipation and excitement builds with the advent of the new year especially in Stuttgart and Ingolstadt. Where the anticipation centres over the release of two individual projects making their respective debut in 2008.

Of course for these two vehicles only one remains in the path ahead of the Mercedes-Benz GLK and Audi Q5. The BMW X3.

Introduced in late 2003 at the Frankfurt IAA. The X3 is one of many BMW"s success stories although much maligned by the press and indeed BMW Traditionalists especially when the concept was misunderstood and fully begun to make sense when the E70 BMW X5 was launched in terms of size and positioning. Many questions where asked why the X3 was closer in size and space to the then current E52 BMW X5.
Has the X3 been successful for BMW ? Well considering BMW only expected to sell a fixed number of units per year with sales tripling over the expect unit allocation with sales still high it is no doubt that Mercedes-Benz and Audi want a respective piece of the market.

The BMW X3 was initially groundbreaking for BMW because it created a premium level segment for smaller performance based Sport activity vehicles in a market where the domestic manufacturers were left untouched.
The BMW X3 initially made a significant demographic - Space was not an issue . performance , consumption and image was everything.

Whilst the others are getting excited over their forthcoming X3 Competitors .
BMW are aiming to make their new rivals and when I say rivals - look how this market has exploded with everyone now getting into the act providing choice and headache for the buyer.

Although at BMW no one sits around waiting to see wht happens next the next BMW X3 takes an about turn from it's pioneering predecessor.
BMW intend to position the next X3 as the performance SAV . BMW indentify that the demographic for the X3 are not concerned with multiple seats or more space but with something that identifies with their needs.
The overall look of the next model significantly identifies with it's performance slated stance. The Roof line becomes more slanted towards the rear and the glass house shorter. (Check out Huckfeldts initial first X6 preview) One of the design criticisms of the X3 is the "lifted" kink in the rear window. Although this carries over as a character identity of the X3. The shorter glasshouse which rises from the belt line significantly shortens this expansive area making it much more in proportion .
Big wheels will significantly lift the chunkiness of the design with top X3 specification coming with 20" wheels . The Kidney grille becomes much more wider than the current car with faired in headlamps . The rear follows typical form with L shaped lamps . The front headlamps follow similar to the current car but are less angular and position them selves Cayenne style on the front of the wings.

Awaiting the competition , The BMW X3 will inherit the Dynamic performance control technology as seen on the new BMW X6 also beginning with the X6 and carrying through as a way of brand indentity . All future X vehicles will carry the "Xdrive" badge.

Just as the BMW X5 has now spawned the BMW X6 Sport Activity Coupe.
The BMW X3 will spawn The - BMW X4 Sport Activity Sedan.
Fully individual from the bodystyle of the 3er the X4 will effectively be a four door X3 with raised body height and tough and familar Xdrive styling. Think Lamborghini LP400.
Why the BMW X4? And Why Sport Activity Sedan?

With the X6 beginning a new segment the final execution of the BMW X6 has excited BMW management. That BMW want an additional X model to share equally with the X3. Although a Coupe was once mooted. The new BMW X4 will introduce a new segment although not in the same premium segment of the X6. The BMW X4 will sit above the BMW X3 and be as individual as the X6 is to the X5. The X4 will effectively be a raised sedan with a boot one characteristic expected to go into production is roof bars that start at the edges of the rear windscreen and go onto the roof. Although based on the X3 engines and technology will be carried over as will interior modules. Styling will be similar with alterations to the rear and front to seperate both cars.

BMW reckon the concept of a model above the X3 will fit in with it's plans for the Xdrive series, Although the new positioning of the X3 opens up the smaller segments for the BMW X1 (A type of Nissan Quashqai /hatch/SAV) . If approach for the X4 is interesting then expect possibly an X2 in the future in the mold of the infamous Concept XCoupe which was not universally received on it's introduction. But that car had a purpose and that purpose is now with the introduction of the BMW X6.
Everything at BMW has a purpose.

But how will the BMW X3 react to it's new competition? Time will tell , but one significant market for the BMW X3 the UK market will not receive the GLK because of cost in transferring to RHD. Already before the guns have been fired someone has accidentially shot themseves in the foot.

Thanks, Scott.
Do you think 2009 X5 will bear the Xdrive badge or they will wait till 3rd gen? Isn't 2009 the 1st facelift year for E70 X5.

X4 eh? I thought we were kidding. I can almost hear this "press release".

X5 xDrive35d is coming in late 2008, and I guess also other versions will get new badging at that time as well.

Thanks. I heard the xDrive 35d will be available in fall.

No GLK in RHD format?!? Scott, are you certain of this? If so a big thumbs down to MB.

The more I think about it the crazier it sounds. Imagine, no GLK in the UK, Japan, Australia, Southern Africa. Down in Oz and SA, people love their SUVs.

Yes, big misake by Mercedes Benz not to offer this car in right hand drive... The X5 makes a killing in sales in Australia so i expect the GLK would do very well also...

perhaps they will see the light eventually and not forget markets outside of America

When is BMW supposed to bring this X4 to market?

Rumor: BMW X4 ?

Here is one of the latest rumors that came down the pipe. BMW apparently is looking into building a Sports Activity Sedan (SAS) and the name chosen could be X4. From what we have heard, of course unofficially and not confirmed as of now, the X4 will be similar in shape to the X6, which was labeled as a Sports Activity Coupe.
At this point, I really doubt that a final decision is even remotely close, but….we have seen many rumors before becoming reality, so we shall see.
The guys at Auto Zeitung went even further and came up with a photoshop of what the BMW X4 might look like. To me, it seems somehow as being a combination between the X3 and X6.
I'm wondering what direction is BMW going with all these new name conventions and designs. Could this new X4 be somewhere in the same class as the Audi's A4 Avant Allroad?
bmwblog

I hope its a 5 seater. BMW lost some potential customers for X6 who would have otherwise bought X6 but for 4 seats.