BMW’s X4 Crossover Will Debut in Detroit

BMW AG's X4 crossover makes its production premiere at the Detroit auto show in January. The vehicle closely mirrors the styling of the X4 concept revealed in Shanghai in April.

The timing of the Detroit debut signals the new model will arrive in BMW showrooms by spring 2014. The X4 will compete with the Porsche Macan crossover, also due in early 2014.

The silhouette of the X4 mirrors that of the bigger BMW. Like the X6, the car's stylish sloping roofline will impact rear headroom and reduce cargo room compared to the X3 SUV.

Engines aren't confirmed, but the lineup will likely share powertrains with its X3 sibling and come in rear wheel-drive and xDrive all-wheel-drive variants. The X4 will be built at BMW's Spartanburg, S.C., plant alongside the X3.