BMW spends $900 million on South Carolina plant to build the X4 SUV

BMW is expanding its lineup with the X4 and growing its manufacturing base with a $900 million investment in its Spartanburg, S.C., assembly plant.

"This is in response to rising global demand for the BMW X family to include the BMW X4," BMW board member Frank-Peter Arndt said.

BMW says the investment will create 300 new jobs at the plant. The automaker spent $750 million on plant expansion during production of the BMW X3 from 2008 to 2010.

The X4 will share the same floorpan, drivelines and chassis as the X3, but with individual styling to give it a more sporting image. BMW plans to position the new car above the current X3.

According to sources, the X4 will differ from the X3 in the same way that the X6 is different from the X5. We expect a sedanlike front end with a curved roofline, four doors and an angled tailgate.

The BMW X4 will rival the upcoming small Porsche SUV, called the Cajun, and any small Audi utes. It also seems to line up with the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque.

The X4 is expected to get a choice of four- or six-cylinder gasoline or diesel engines with a six-speed manual, a seven-speed dual-clutch or an eight-speed automatic transmission. So far BMW is not planning a two-wheel-drive version.

At the top of the lineup--if all goes according to plan--will be an X4 M performance model. It would get the usual styling upgrades along with a future twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

By Jake Lingeman