BMW.SG | BMW Singapore Owners Community The Ultimate BMW Community – Established Since 2001
BMW Blog went to Bilbao, Spain, to sample the 2015 BMW X4 xDrive35i, the highest offering in the current X4 lineup. Their expectations coming into to drive was low, but the X4 gave them a pleasant surprise. See this excerpt below:
After a day with the new BMW 428i Gran Coupe model, the X4 was a nice switch from the low seating 4 Series model and again the expectations were more aligned with the X3′s drive and feel. But the 2015 BMW X4 xDrive35i manages to prove us wrong. Due to the body stiffness and the “Performance Control†feature which distributes power seamlessly between the rear wheels, the X4 began early on in our 350 km trip to impress us.
Under the hood, we have the staple engine in the current BMW lineup: 3.0-liter inline-six turbocharged, single scroll. It produces 300 horsepower from 5800 to 6400 rpm and 300 lb-ft of torque from 1200 to 5000, and official figures say the xDrive35i is capable of running to 60 mph in about 5.4 seconds.
As always, we kick off the drive in Comfort mode, a driving setting that is meant to cater to the less spirited drivers. The X4′s chassis behave as expected, less firm and more accommodating, perfect for a calm cruise on straight roads or curvy back roads.
But to really see what the X4 is made of, Sport or Sport+ is the world where you want to live in. A couple of touches on the button and we can instantly feel the steering become stiffer, the body flexes its muscles and the engine roar is louder.
…
Did we forgot to say how much we loved the thick-rimmed and heavy steering wheel?
BMW has come a long way with their electromechanical power-steering system, and it is as good as it can get right now. It is precise, responsive and progressive, and any driver can only fall in love with those three characteristics.
Thanks to the M Sport Package, we ran on 19-inch wheels, complete with 275/40 R19 rear tires and 245/45 R19 fronts. This setup gave us the confidence on the road, and the fairly heavy and chunky X4 (1815 kgs plus and minus some due to the options) handled better than the 4 Series Gran Coupe we sampled the day before. Shocking in a way, but the X4 has more verve and less body roll, while sitting taller.
In a nutshell, BMW X4 handled everything we threw at it, from tight corners to back-to-back twisties, to long straights, sudden direction changes and heavy braking, the X4 delivered effortlessly the maneuverability of a compact car.
The handling package is sharp, barely any body roll, and we wonder how the Porsche Macan would stack up against it.
180 kilometers later, 20 liter per 100 km, and we were sold on it. The BMW X4 might become more than just a niche player for Munich and actually surpass the sales of the X6.
