Are no auto-show surprise reveals sacred anymore? It seems as though in recent years, the number of image leaks that spill the beans on automakers’ big production- and concept-car reveals before their scheduled debut has only increased. Case in point: It appears as though BMW’s X4 crossover concept has shown up naked on the same website—AutoWP.ru—that last month leaked photos of Mercedes-Benz’s CLA45 AMG just before its New York auto show debut. (It’s worth noting that the same Flickr user, upcomingvehiclesx, who leaked photos of the new Cadillac CTS, also has posted the shots of the X4 concept.)
The X4, for those scratching their heads, is going to be to BMW’s X3 what the X6 is to the X5—a coupe-ier, less-practical, and more attractive version of an existing, relatively pedestrian crossover. Given that the blue X4 concept images have popped online now, we’re guessing the crossover is set for a debut in the not-so-distant future, meaning a Shanghai auto show reveal is a pretty safe bet. As for the X4′s looks, well, it’s pretty darn attractive. The concept is a bit dressier than the X4 rendering we published nearly two years ago, but the basic elements are there: A sharply sloping roofline; a high, chopped tail; gaping front intakes; and an aggressive stance.
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Don’t expect the concept’s style to be radically scaled back for production—after all, the 2014 BMW 4-series looks pretty much identical to the 4-series concept BMW showed off at this year’s Detroit show. Smaller wheels and less-fussy intake detailing probably will make up the majority of the X4′s changes from show floor to showroom. (To give you a little idea of what to expect, we’ve included an updated rendering of the 2014 X4—painted silver—below.) It will borrow its running gear from the X3, meaning it will get a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a turbo inline-six and either offer, or come exclusively with, all-wheel drive. Look for the X4 to hit dealerships next year; it will be produced at BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina plant where the X3, X5, and X6 are built.
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