BMW is spending US$900 million to spruce up its US SUV factory to build its upcoming baby X6, the X4.
Based around the chassis of the X3 (pictured), the X4 will arrive in 2014 with a mix of the more-conventional small SUV’s four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.
There will also be an X4M version by 2015, powered by the 1-Series M Coupe’s twin-turbo straight six, though M is expected to leave the X3 alone.
BMW intends to position the X4 clearly above the X3, and will go head-to-head with not only the Land Rover Evoque but also Porsche’s baby Cajun SUV, due in 2013.
The X4 will run down the same production line as the X3, with both vehicles built alongside the X6 and X5 in Spartanburg, North Carolina.
The Spartanburg plant produced more than 276,000 cars last year and the upgrade will let BMW produce 350,000 cars a year out of its only dedicated SUV centre.
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