2 02 0 B M W X 4 M C O M P E T I T I O N ~ BY R I C H C E P P O S
Advanced Rocketry Highs: Another rocket-assisted family mover; takes no stoplight guff; turns, too. Lows: So stiff, so costly, feeds the hyper-ute insanity machine.
Possibly the most remarkable thing about the performance of the BMW
X4 M is that it’s not so remarkable anymore. In Competition guise, this compact all-wheel-drive hatchback on tiptoes hurls itself to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds, claws around a skidpad at 0.97 g, and stops from 70 mph in just 147 feet. But these days, it has plenty of company: a host of juiced SUVs in multiple sizes and price classes that post similar or even better numbers. Not that the X4 M is anything but impressive. Like most BMW :\a\_`]\_a°S\_aV¼RQ ]_\QbPa` aUR adV[ ab_O\ V[YV[R `Ve `V[T` _UN]`\QVR` AUR baRμ` UN[QYV[T V` `UN_] Va` _VQR V` \[ aUR `aVß `VQR \S NPPR]aNOYR N[Q Va` V[aR_V\_ V` VZ]RPPNOYf aNVY\_RQ V[ ¼[R ZNaR_VNY` And of course, you pay handsomely for its ability to make you think you’re driving a car: The X4 M Competition starts at $81,395. It reminds us how much and how quickly high-performance SUVs have Rc\YcRQ `V[PR aUR ¼_`a \S aUR `]RPVR` P_NdYRQ S_\Z aUR ]_VZ\_QVNY automotive ooze just 28 years ago.
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THE RUNDOWN
the numbers Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback Base/As Tested ............... $81,395/$86,495 Engine: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection Displacement ......................... 183 cu in, 2993 cc Power ..................................... 503 hp @ 7300 rpm Torque ............................... 442 lb-ft @ 2600 rpm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Dimensions • Wheelbase ................................................. 112.8 in • L/W/H ..................................... 187.5/75.9/63.8 in • Curb Weight ............................................. 4539 lb
test RESULTS Rollout, 1 ft ................................................. 0.2 sec 60 mph ........................................................... 3.3 sec 100 mph ........................................................ 8.0 sec 130 mph ....................................................... 14.4 sec 150 mph ....................................................... 21.5 sec Rolling Start, 5–60 mph ........................ 4.6 sec 1/4-Mile ................................... 11.6 sec @ 119 mph Top Speed (gov ltd) ................................ 161 mph Braking, 70–0 mph ...................................... 147 ft Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad ............... 0.97 g EPA Fuel Economy • Comb/City/Hwy .......................... 16/14/19 mpg C/D Fuel Economy • Observed ................................................... 15 mpg • 75-mph Hwy Driving ............................ 26 mpg • 75-mph Hwy Driving Range ............... 440 mi
