BMW X4 M Competition
And yet it bounces
The six-cylinder in-line engine now has a maximum torque of 650 Newton meters – that’s 50 Nm more than before
© press-inform – the press office
BMW is freshening up the X4 M Competition and has mainly taken care of the chassis, which is no longer as tough as it was before. But the infotainment also benefits from the improvements.
Flashback. About two years and four months ago we took a close look at the BMW X3 M Competition. Our conclusion was in terms of driving dynamics, the chassis too tight. We were not alone with this opinion. Obviously, one or the other customer also complained that the coordination was too tough. “We listen,” says product manager Alexander Schurrer. So the sporting division of the Munich-based car manufacturer is improving the X3 and X4 M Competition. Doing the good without leaving the better is the premise. After all, the first Munich power SUV cut a pretty good figure in terms of driving dynamics.
The solution lies in a two-tone combination of classic engineering technology as well as bits and bytes. “We are now using harder engine mounts,” says technician Uwe Forkert. The second part of the new recipe consists of a new software application. The result is what you want. The BMW X4 M Competition now springs noticeably more comfortably in the comfort setting than before and thus no longer makes every bump in the road an endurance test for the spine and the surrounding back muscles. The fact that you are well on the move in sports seats that could offer more lateral support around your shoulders contributes to a new sense of well-being. It is clear that the X4 M Competition is still no sedan.
After all, the well-trained Hochstelz Coupé weighs an impressive 2,010 kilograms. They want to be balanced around the curve. At the limit, every kilogram counts, so the speedy crossover now has forged rims that save two kilograms per wheel and eight kilograms less unsprung dimensions make a difference in extreme cornering. Because at BMW M GmbH they are proud that the X4 M Competition is a “track tool”, which means that really fast times can be burned into the asphalt on the Nordschleife & Co. as well. We are not on the hunt for pole position, but notice that the BWM xDrive all-wheel drive still likes to involve the rear axle in cornering in the dynamic modes and a slight flick of oversteer contributes to driving fun. No question about it, the X4 M Competition does a remarkable job in curve dancing, but it cannot hide the weight of a good two tons, which is pushing towards the edge of the road.
The steering is precise, but the restoring forces are unchanged. The pair of brothers X3 and X4 M Competition are quite popular in the USA, and bodybuilders apparently prefer cranking the valance, the rim of which is typically M-thick and fits comfortably in the hand. However, we would like more feedback. The thoroughbred BMW M models do not have three driving modes, but rather a dynamic M-mode and a set-up button with which you can define parameters such as engine, chassis, transmission and steering yourself. We focus the steering on comfort and therefore the gearbox and the engine. With the chassis, we even switch to sport on flat asphalt. Nevertheless, the coordination of a Porsche Macan is a bit more harmonious, but the Zuffenhausen crossover has air suspension.
The source of power is basically unchanged. So six cylinders in line with two turbochargers that generate 375 kW / 510 hp from three liters of displacement. However, something has happened with the maximum torque that has increased by 50 Newton meters to 650 Newton meters. The Bavarian power plant balances the X4 M from standstill to 100 km / h in 3.8 seconds and beats its predecessor by 0.3 seconds. The top speed remains unchanged at 250 km / h or 285 km / h (with the optional M Driver ‘s Package). This means that the upgraded sports SUV completes the standard sprint 0.3 seconds faster than before. Which also has a positive effect on the elasticity of the acceleration. BMW specifies the average consumption with 10.8 liters per 100 kilometers. In our case, the on-board computer showed 3.1 liters more after our test drive, which also took us on motorways. We are happy to accept that in view of the sonorous, pleasant sound of the BMW six-cylinder.
Especially since the interior and especially the infotainment also benefit from the freshening up and you feel comfortable in the Munich vehicle. This means that both the virtual cockpit and the central touchscreen are each 12.3 inches and the current version of the seventh generation of the BMW operating system processes the information. It is operated using square tiles, which you can use to find your way around quickly. We are still a fan of the classic rotary push button, as it minimizes driver distraction. But the voice input also works well, whereas we hardly used the gesture control. However, Bayern-Power also has its price with at least 99,600 euros.