BMW X4 will miss out on M version

Fans of BMW’s M performance line will need to look elsewhere than the X4 for a high-performance SUV. The German carmaker says it’s unlikely to build an X4M to add to the line-up, with concern it would cannibalise sales from the X6M.

“It’s not yet decided, but …  it would always come back to the business case,” BMW product communications manager Bernhard Ederer told Carsguide.

“It’s really something of a chess game: what customer are we talking to? Are we talking to someone who's willing and able to afford the X6 -- who would switch to the X4M but to who we could easily sell the X6M? So … I would not bet on there being an M performance version of the X4.”

However Ederer suggested there was a strong chance we will see a plug-in hybrid X4, following in the path of the Concept X5 eDrive that was revealed at the recent Frankfurt motor show. “We've communicated in the past that we are planning to offer a plug-in hybrid in each and every model series,” Ederer said.

“This is really the next step in terms of our ‘efficient dynamics’ strategy. At the other end we have our i3 and i8 and the i8 … which really show you both ends of the bookshelf and have been made (that way) for a good reason -- to really show what is possible (with hybrid technology).”

However Ederer says any plan for the hybrid X4 would depend on customer response and demand. “Obviously for each and every car, BMW has to have a business case. And at the end of the day, the answer to this question will come from the customer -- whether they are willing to accept this car, whether they are asking for that kind of a car.”

And there may even be potential for the i3 and i8 to be joined by an SUV under that sub-brand. “Never say never,” Ederer says.  “If it makes (business) sense we will do it.”

This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott