THE fourth X model from BMW will hit the streets this summer, billed as the prestige brand's first Sports Activity Coupe.

When it arrives in mid-July the X4 will come with a choice of three diesel engines, the xDrive all-wheel-drive system, a package of BMW EfficientDynamics measures and a string of techno treats.

While the X4 is based on the mid-size X3 - its length and height are identical bar a few millimetres - the newcomer follows in the footsteps of the BMW X6 with more of a classic coupe look.

Large air intakes on the outer edges of the front end along with character lines in the front apron give the car a more muscular appeal, an effect sharpened by fog lamps below the twin headlights.

And the coupe-style roofline reaches its peak over the front seats before dropping gently down towards the trailing edge of the boot lid.

The driver and front passenger sit 20mm lower and the rear passengers 28mm lower than in an X3, adding to the coupe feeling, and the cabin has a high-gloss black panel look with aluminium trim strips in the wood. 

Load capacity is between 500 and 1,400 litres which, thanks to 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats, aids practicality and there's also an automatically opening tailgate.

Standard kit is appreciably higher than on the X3, the likes of variable sport steering, 18-inch alloys, park distance control, performance control and Xenon headlights all part of the deal along with heated front seats and BMW Business Media package.

For an extra £1,500  the xLine trim level brings in exclusive alloys, a satin aluminium exterior trim, dark copper interior, sport seats and xLine leather upholstery, while the M Sport model adds another £3,000 for even more kit, M aerodynamic body styling and M Sports suspension.

And all versions include BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system as standard.

Kicking off the range at £36, 590 is the xDrive20d SE model powered by a newly developed 2.0-litre diesel engine developing 190bhp for a 0-62mph time of 8.0 seconds.

It comes as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox but can be specified with an eight-speed auto box which brings fuel consumption down to 54.3mpg and sets the CO2 emissions at 138g/km.

The 3.0-litre xDrive30d xLine costs £44,890, has the automatic gearbox as standard and can return a Combined figure of 47.9mpg with emissions of 156g/km. It's very quick too with acceleration to 62mph in 5.8 seconds.

The xDrive35d engine tops the X4 line-up at £48,990, its 3.0-litre diesel delivering a hefty 313bhp.

With its standard-fitted Launch Control, the car can fire from 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 153mph, while returning 47.1mpg and emitting 157g/km.

Helping keep the fuel figures down are BMW's EfficientDynamics technologies like Auto Start-Stop, brake energy regeneration and low rolling resistance tyres.

BMW says there will also be a full range of ConnectedDrive, advanced safety options and online entertainment features.