New BMW X4 Will Be Previewed at Detroit Auto Show, Produced in America

PEABODY, Mass., Nov. 20, 2012 — BMW's first sport activity vehicle (SAV), the American-made BMW X5, went on sale in 1999. Since then, the luxury automaker has added two more SAVs to its Spartanburg, S.C. assembly line: the BMW X6 in 2007 and the BMW X3 when its production came over from Austria in 2010. It now appears that a fourth SAV, the BMW X4, will grace the South Carolina facility in about a year or so, and fans of the brand will get their first preview of the new crossover this January at the Detroit Auto Show.

According to Autoweek, the BMW X4 will be shown in Detroit as a concept in near-production form, and it will slot in between the X3 and the X5 when it joins the lineup as a competitor to the upcoming Porsche Macan compact SUV. Though the vehicle will share the second-generation X3's monocoque steel platform and engines, the BMW X4 will be set apart stylistically by a more muscular front end, a sloping roofline, a steeply angled one-piece tailgate and four traditional front-hinged doors. Like the X5 and X6, the X4 will also receive a high-performance model from BMW's M division, with an on-sale date expected in late 2014.

"BMW has come a long way since the X5 started its run 13 years ago, and the addition of the X4 will leave luxury SUV buyers with an unmatched selection of size, style and engine options within BMW's lineup,'' said Marshal Cabot, general manager of BMW of Peabody, a BMW dealer in Massachusetts. ''Not only that, but American workers will continue to benefit as BMW expands its U.S. plant to accommodate production of the vehicle."

BMW's current American-made SAV offerings continue to grow in popularity at U.S. dealerships, totaling 8,159 sales last month for a 20-percent increase compared to October 2011. The BMW X5 remained the lineup's best-selling SAV for the year, moving 4,240 units in October, while the BMW X3 followed behind with 3,248 vehicles sold, a 40-percent jump year-over-year. With the largest increase last month, sales of the BMW X6 rose 41 percent.

Though it is built in Germany, the BMW X1 compact SAV recently went on sale in America for the first time and is quickly gaining traction. The new model sold 1,907 units in just its second full month at dealerships in October, bringing its total sales to more than 4,000 units thus far.

Designed for those that want a luxurious and sporty ride that is also fuel efficient and versatile, the 2013 BMW X1 offers a choice of two TwinTurbo Power engines. A four-cylinder returns up to 34 mpg on the highway and outputs a healthy 240 horsepower, while a six-cylinder pumps out 300 horsepower and still nets up to 27 mpg on the highway despite powering all four wheels. When it comes to transporting gear and other road-trip essentials, X1 owners will find 56 cubic feet of cargo space when the leather seats are folded in the rear.

"Across vehicle segments, car buyers are looking to downsize without downgrading, and the X1 is one of BMW's answers to that trend,'' added Cabot. ''In fact, the BMW X1 is an upgrade in all categories, because it rides like a sports sedan yet provides a ton of flexibility when it comes to meeting your different passenger and cargo needs."

About BMW of Peabody:
Located minutes from downtown Boston on Route 114, BMW of Peabody takes pride in offering some of the world's finest vehicles, backing up every new and used BMW sale with their expert, customer-focused sales and service staff. Recognized as a leading Greater Boston BMW dealer, BMW of Peabody is a five-time winner of the prestigious Center of Excellence Award and offers two BMW service centers to fit the schedules of its busy customers. See their full BMW inventory online at www.bmwpeabody.com, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bmwofpeabody, visit their showroom at 221 Andover Street in Peabody or call them at 978-538-9900.