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-v -_ BMW X4 blends coupe look and SUV By Neil Moore Metroland Media Brain games have become aur latest weapon against cognitive decline. Publishers, bath in digital and print, have been cashing in on aur desire ta stay sharp with a bevy of books and computer games ta exercise aur grey matter. But befare pulling out the credit card, con- sider that BMW affers a free mental wark- out. Try memorizing their praduct iineup. Encompassing sedans, coupes, gran coupes, gran turismos, cabriolets, wagons, sports activity vehicles, and sparts activity coupes - ail spread across multiple "Se- ries" and powertrains, the choices are vast. And that doesn't even take in the iess mainstream Z4 raadster, .13 and i8 eiectric vehicles, three ActlveH-ybrids and eight cat- egories of high-performance "M" variants. Pack ail that into your cerebral cortex, and before long your synapses will be flring like Stephen Hawking. But let's drill clown and focus on one of the automaker's iatest offerings - a fusion of SUV and coupe, combining the benefits and limitations of each. This sumrmer, the BMW X4 xDrive joined the ranks of a relativeiy new segment, ai- ready plumb6d by Its larger and polarizing X6 sibling. -Such vehicles have been criticized for their buiIV sîze and lack of usable space. Fair comment, and when you consider offer- ings like the ungainly Honda Crosstour, or the more premium (and now defunct> Acura ZDX, their iack of practicaiity has translated ta iess thari steilar sales. Wich leads me ta pnoce. The X6 Sport i-art coupe, part sUV, the 2015 BMW X4 offers a sleek profile and car-like driving dynamics; in a more commodious, all-wheel-drîve vehicle. Activty Coupe which starts at $67,300 and can climb ta $100K or more illustrates how one seems to be paying more for even iess. But the X4, like the others and even some less 'coupey' offenings like Lincoln MKC and Ra nge Rover Evoque, is reaiiy a niche ve- hicie. After ail, not everybody needs to haul 5,000-pound trailers or heaps of hockey bags. Somnetimes lUs more about hauling you-know-what. And on that note, the X4 is in its element. The base engine is a turbocharged 2.0W tre- four cylinder that delivers 241 hp and 258 lb/fl of torque, prapelling the X4 XDrive 28i from zero ta 1.00 km/h in 6.4 seconds. That's pretty quick by any standard. My tester came with the patent 3.0-litre mImle six, also with a twin-scrall turbo, push- ing out 300 hp and 300 lb/fl of torque fram a a low 1,200 ta 1,500 rpm. Bath engines are mated to a rapid-firing eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmis- sion. l've driven the turbo four in other vehicles, and have found it a willing perfarmer when pushed hard. The turbo six, however, really delivers the goods ahd in the case of the bulky X4, is rated at 5.5 seonds for the 0-100 km/h sprint. 1 didn't perform my own stop watch test, but faund acceleration surprisingly brisk for a vehicle that tips the scales at 1,932 kg or 4,259 ibs. There's preciaus littie turbo lag when you plant the pedal, and power builds quickiy to near redline when in Sport mode. Giving the X4 at ieast same SUV cred is BMVW's proven xDrîve ali-wheel-drive sys- temr. And lUs good for more than just winter tw I 12-glial la Cnaypon Scoft's Car Care and Rust Check Centre is proud to have been NOMINATED as Milton's #1 Favourite Rust Proofing Centre! Expeorioce the dlffoeni4c with us this winter! U ri C14EC Zr CL w01 :iracticality weather. !2 *Working with Performance Contrai, stan- z dard on the XQ4, this system uses dynamic n stability contrai ta route power to the out- 3X side rear wheel, improving traction and E directianal.stability in the turns. With the dynamic damper control set ta Sport, this z vehicle is adept at carving corners, with minimal body rail. But that daesn't mean ride is harsh. The '5 X4 is firmer than somne of its less perfar- LA mance oriented competitors, but in Comfort 'D mode was quite civilized over rough pave- o ment.? l'm nat convinced fuel efficiency is top of 10 mind when purchasing this type of vehicle, 3 but BMW is on the job anyway. Choose the Eco Pro setting <rather than Spart or Camfart) for a little less fun and up ta 20 per cent better fuel econamy. The usual things happen, like softer throt- tle respanse and earlier shifting, but Eco Pro also includes a coasting funiction, which disconnects the drivetrain when yau lift off < the pedal. And with Navigation System Pro- fessional installed, yau get additional petral- saving perks. Route Ahead Assistant recognizes curves, urban areas, exîts and speed limits and ad- vises when ta stop acceleratng. Eco Pro Route displays the most efficient way there, based on trafflc and driver behaviaur. As for the look, nat everybody appreciates a bulked-up coupe or slimmed-dawn SUV - depending on your viewpaint - but this BMW wears it well. The X4, campared ta its X3 SAV stable- mate, is longer (14 mm) and lawer (37 mm> with muscular shoulders and powerful Continued an page 46 r