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BMW X4 M40i a no-go for Australia: Left-hook sports SUV steering clear

The newly revealed BMW X4 M40i performance SUV will not be joining the local line-up anytime soon, the carmaker’s Australian arm has confirmed.


Unveiled in early October, the 265kW/465Nm M40i model is now the top model in the international X4 range. And, with a full-bottle X4M model not expected to join the range, M40i is likely to maintain its position in the range.

An Australian debut for the M40i has been ruled out, however, with the new M-enhanced SUV confirmed for an exclusively left-hand drive production schedule.

For local buyers, the X4 range tops out with the very recently launched 230kW/630Nm xDrive35d diesel, although those preferring petrol can look to the 225kW/400Nm xDrive35i.

Speaking with CarAdvice today, BMW Australia communications manager Lenore Fletcher said that sales of the performance-oriented xDrive35i model suggest there could be significant interest in the M40i if it were to get a local berth.

Above: the newly launched X4 xDrive35d.

"The 35i X4 represents about 25 per cent of our current X4 sales, so there is a good appetite there," Fletcher said.

"Don’t forget though, that we are just launching our X4 35d, which is the fastest diesel in a long time (0-100 in 5.2 seconds), and even faster than our current 35i."

Fletcher said that availability of these models means that, even without the M40i, "we have excellent and comprehensive coverage for performance vehicles in the X4 range".

Above: the new GLC Coupe, shown here in concept form.

The decision to keep the M40i to left-hook markets - and to skip the X4M option all-together - means that the anticipated 270kW GLC 450 AMG Coupe and 350kW GLC AMG 63 Coupe models won’t need to fend off any obvious rival in the BMW range.

The still-to-be-revealed GLC Coupe is considered a strong chance for joining the regular GLC here in Australia, and while the AMG models are less certain, Mercedes-Benz Australia has shown little restraint in meeting the demand for top-shelf performance models.

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