Review: BMW G02 X4 (2018-on)

Overview

To be released in Australia in the third quarter of 2018, the BMW G02 X4 is a five-door ‘Sports Activity Coupe’. Manufactured at BMW’s Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, USA, the BMW G02 X4 range for Australia will initially consist of the xDrive20i M Sport, xDrive20d M Sport, xDrive30i M Sport and M40i M Performance.

All engines for the BMW G02 X4 comply with Euro 6 emissions standards and feature the following technologies –

• Auto Start Stop: shuts down the engine when the vehicle is stationary in traffic;
• Brake Energy Regeneration: regulates alternator output to recharge the battery when the vehicle is coasting or braking; and,
• Eco Pro drive mode: adjusts engine management, throttle response and transmission behaviour to minimise fuel consumption.

Eight-speed ZF automatic transmissions are fitted as standard across the range.

xDrive all-wheel drive system

For the BMW G02 X4, the ‘xDrive’ all-wheel drive system is understood to have an electronically controlled, multi-plate clutch in the transfer case. While the all-wheel drive system for the BMW F26 X4 provided a 40:60 front:rear torque split by default (with the clutch partially engaged), the rear bias for the G02 X4 has been increased ‘to improve handling dynamics’. In addition to partial engagement, the clutch can be fully engaged (for a 50:50 front:rear torque split) or completely open (all torque to the rear wheels); the latter may occur when driving at high speed or when parking.

The xDrive system interacts with the electronic stability control system such that torque distribution can be varied in response to oversteer or understeer, and individual wheels can be braked to transfer torque to the opposing wheel (i.e. cross-axle torque transfer).

Body and dimensions

Compared to the BMW F26 X4 which it replaces, the G02 X4 is 81 mm longer (at 4752 mm), 37 mm wider (1918 mm), 4 mm lower (1621 mm) and has a 54 mm longer wheelbase (2864 mm). For off-road use, the G02 X4 has ground clearance of 204 mm, a fording depth of 500 mm, a 19.4 degree breakover angle, and approach and departure angles of 25.7 and 22.6 degrees, respectively.

The BMW G02 X4 has a luggage capacity of 525 litres with the rear seats up, though this increases to 1430 litres when the rear seats are folded down and luggage is filled to the roofline. Relative to the BMW F26 X4 , the G02 X4 is around 50 kg lighter and unladen weights for the BMW G02 X4 range from 1720 kg (X4 xDrive20i) to 1895 kg (X4 M40d). Furthermore, BMW claims a 50:50 weight distribution between the front and rear axles.

The BMW G02 X4 has a drag co-efficient of 0.30 Cd, though this increases to 0.32 Cd for the X4 M40d. For the G02 X4, aerodynamic measures include additional underbody cladding, a restyled roof spoiler with aero edges and ‘active air flap control’ which controls a flap in the radiator grille to regulate air flow for the engine.

Suspension

The BMW G02 X4 has a double-joint spring strut axle and a five-link rear axle. For the M Sport package, the sports suspension has firmer dampers and stiffer anti-roll bars. As an extra-cost option, the BMW G02 X4 can be specified with ‘Dynamic Damper Control’ which consists of electronically controlled dampers that continually adjust damping resistance according to road conditions and driver behaviour. Furthermore, the Drive Experience Control switch enables the driver to select from sport or comfort damper settings.

Steering

The BMW G02 X4 has rack-and-pinion steering with speed-sensitive, electric power assistance (BMW’s ‘Servotronic’). For Australian-delivered vehicles, the BMW G02 X4 is expected to have variable ratio steering as standard, while the G02 X4 has a turning circle of 12.1 metres.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the BMW G02 X4 includes dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.

For Australian deliveries, standard active safety technologies for the BMW G02 X4 are expected to include –

• BMW’s ‘Driving Assistant’:
  • Approach control and person warning with city braking function: operating at speeds from 10 km/h to 60 km/h for pedestrian detection and up to 80 km/h for vehicle detection, the approach control warning system initially warns the driver if there is a risk of a frontal collision. In its second stage, the brakes are pre-conditioned for faster response and, if the driver fails to react, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) is initiated to reduce vehicle speed;
  • Lane Departure Warning: active at speeds above 72 km/h, the driver is alerted by steering wheel vibrations if the vehicle deviates from its lane without prior activation of the indicators;
    Lane Change Warning: active at speeds above 10 km/h, Lane Change Warning monitors the zones to each side of the vehicle. If the driver activates the indicators to change lanes, the system would check these zones and – if occupied – warn the driver via steering wheel vibrations and flashing a symbol in the respective door mirror;
  • Crossing-traffic warning rear: when reversing out of a parking space, ‘Crossing-traffic warning rear’ would warn the driver of approaching traffic that may intersect the driver’s path;
• Prevention of rear collision: if a rear-end collision is anticipated, following traffic is warned by double frequency flashing of the hazard lights;
• Speed Limit Info: incorporates speed restrictions into the driver-selectable Speed Limiter function or Active Cruise Control (where fitted);
• Active Protection: if a collision risk is detected, including from preceding vehicles or stationary objects, Active Protection activates the front seatbelt tensioners and closes the windows (and sunroof, where fitted). After a collision, Active Protection automatically applies the brakes to bring the vehicle to rest, thereby reducing the likelihood and potential severity of a secondary collision; and,
• An ‘active bonnet’ which has pyrotechnic actuators in the bonnet hinges. In the event of a pedestrian collision, the actuators deploy and locks keep the bonnet in a raised position to provide additional deformation space between the bonnet and hard structures beneath it.

Based on the G01 X3 range, the G02 X4 xDrive30i and xDrive30d are expected to be further equipped with BMW’s ‘Driving Assistant Plus’ which includes –

• Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function: at speeds from 30 km/h to 210 km/h, Active Cruise Control can maintain a speed-dependent distance from the vehicle ahead. With the Stop&Go function, the vehicle can apply the brakes to bring the vehicle to rest and, once the traffic ahead begins to move, automatically accelerate if the vehicle had been stationary for a period between 1 and 3 seconds. If the vehicle has been stationary for longer than 3 seconds, the driver only needs to briefly press the accelerator or a button to initiate acceleration up to the previously set cruising speed;
• Steering and lane control assistant: operating at speeds up to 210 km/h, the steering and lane control assistant provides ‘comfort-enhancing steering interventions’ to keep the vehicle in its current lane (even where road markings are unclear). In stop-start traffic, the system also uses the preceding vehicle was an additional reference point;
• Lane Keeping Assistant: helps the driver pre-empt hazards by automatically applying corrective steering in three types of situation: 1) if the system detects that the vehicle is about to leave the road, 2) if the driver is about to change lane and has overlooked a vehicle in the next lane or 3) if danger is detected due to an approaching vehicle;
• Side Collision Warning: operating at speeds between 30 km/h and 210 km/h, Side Collision Warning alerts drivers via a visual signal or steering wheel vibration if another vehicle is ‘encroaching’ from the side. If the system detects sufficient room on the other side of the vehicle, it correctively steers the vehicle in this direction to avoid the danger. The corrective steering assistance, however, could be over-ridden by the driver at any time;
• Crossing traffic warning front: uses radar sensors to check for approaching traffic at junctions with poor or impeded visibility; and,
• Crossroads warning: provides visual and audible warnings in priority situations (i.e. where vehicles on another road had priority) and at stop signs. At speeds up to 84 km/h, the steering wheel would also vibrate to alert the driver.

Features: BMW G02 X4

Standard features for the BMW G02 X4 are expected to include 19-inch alloy wheels with run-flat tyres, a 100 watt sound system with six speakers and CD player, BMW’s ‘Business’ navigation system with a 6.5-inch display (800 x 480 pixels), iDrive controller and natural voice control, a digital radio tuner (DAB+), Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, wireless smartphone charging, combination cloth/leather upholstery, power adjustable front sports seats with driver’s seat memory function, three-zone climate control air conditioning, LED headlights and taillights, cruise control with braking function, rear fog lights, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, a head-up display, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 40:20:40 split/folding rear seats with adjustable backrest angle, remote central locking, power adjustable and heated door mirrors with folding function, power windows, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a power-operated tailgate with motion detection, interior lighting, velour floor mats, automatic tailgate operation, 12 volt power sockets, roof rails, a cargo net, trip computer and an immobiliser.

As standard, the G02 X4 is expected to be equipped with BMW’s ‘Parking Assistant’ which, at speeds below 35 km/h, can identify parallel parking spaces using ultrasound sensors. When the driver presses a button to begin parking, the Parking Assistant automatically steers the vehicle into parallel or transverse parking spaces such that the driver only needs to control the speed of the vehicle.

Related links

• BMW Press: the all-new BMW X4 is coming (February 2018)