The new BMW X4 Sports Activity Coupe could be described as the poor man’s BMW X6, but the truth is, the crossover has a lot more in common with the BMW X3. The X4 is a more expensive X3 with sportier looks that shares the same platform, engines and even interior with BMW's more conventional SUV.

Of course, the interior is not quite the same in terms of space, as the X4’s lowered roofline affects room especially for the rear passengers. BMW insists on the X4’s sportier nature, with the driver and front passenger sitting 20mm lower than in the X3, while the rear bench is profiled for two passengers – there is room for three, but the shape of the bench in the center doesn’t look too comfortable for a long ride.

The BMW X4 is available with three petrol engines and three diesels in Europe, with outputs ranging from 184PS (181hp) to 313PS (309hp). All units feature the BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and comply with EU6 exhaust gas standards. The flagship petrol model, the X4 xDrive35i, is powered by a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine producing 306PS (302hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.5 seconds.

The range-topping 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel unit in the BMW X4 xDrive35d produces 313PS (309hp) and 630 Nm (465 lb-ft) of torque, allowing for a 0-100 km/h sprint of 5.2 seconds. Average fuel economy is rated at 6 l/100 km (39.2 mpg US). The most frugal engine is the 190PS (188hp) 2.0-liter diesel in the X4 xDrive20d which averages 5 l/100 km (47 mpg US).

BMW X4 sales begin this summer in the U.S. with prices starting from $45,625 including destination and handling. Prices in Germany start from €45,600.

When we first published official images and details about the 2015 BMW X4, many of you shared strong opinions of it. There were criticisms about its appearance, its lack of passenger room, its lack of cargo room, its frivolity, and its appearance again.

Clearly, many of you find the vehicle un-buyable, which is exactly why we wanted to share the strategy BMW is using to sell it. Below is the first commercial of the X4 in anticipation of its impending launch.

It is safe to say that, the ad is as eccentric as the X4 itself. It begins with a woman speaking, and then her words increasingly become rhythmic with the background score, until it turns into some sort of a song or spoken word poem.

What is she saying? “Go.” Go where? Go here, go there, go anywhere - apparently. The suggestion of the X4’s versatility is underscored by the changing landscape around the car, from city to city, around the world. You may find the car ugly, but you have to admit, the landscapes featured are beautiful.

In a general sense, the poetic strategy is reminiscent of the S63 AMG ad that recently debuted. The difference is, many readers found the S-Class to be far more beautiful. Watch the commercial, and please tell us what you think - or tell us what BMW was thinking. Do you find the ad to be effective?

Doesn't appear to be an X4 M

BMW M President Dr Friedrich Nitschke has downplayed the possibility of an X4 M but our spies have snapped photos of appears to be an M Performance variant.

Tentatively dubbed the X4 M40i, the model features a familiar appearance but is distinguished by a sporty dual exhaust system with one tailpipe on each side. This doesn't sound too unusual until you consider the X4 xDRIVE35i has a dual exhaust system with both tailpipes on the left side. This suggests the model could be a high-performance variant but the lack of traditional M styling cues implies this isn't a hardcore X4 M.

There's no word on what will power the model but it could use an upgraded 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder engine. There is also a possibility that it could use a diesel engine but nothing is official as of yet.

Maybe it's a question nobody asked, but BMW Abu Dhabi has the answer on what the new X4 looks like with a carbon fiber-finished deck lid wing and a quad pipe sports exhaust from Akrapovic.

The Melbourne Red X4 xDrive35i with the M Sport package is also fitted with optional 20-inch M Double Spoke wheels style 310M, but that's about all the details we have on the car, so we don't know if the aforementioned wing and exhaust are 3rd party accessories or M Performance parts.

And since we're on the subject of BMW X4s on display, the same dealer has what appears to be a Carbon Black-painted X4 xDrive35i parked on the same show floor.

Now, while in some European countries consumers pick cars based on engine displacement, in the US, it’s the differences in efficiency that matter most for mainstream buyers. Therefore, the BMW X4 28i may be deemed not sufficiently more frugal than the 35i, even with its lower acquisition price.

This is the view of CNET’s Brian Cooley after he had a go in the base US version of BMW’s new smaller coupe-SUV. It’s only marginally better on fuel and it costs $3,300 less.

It can still get up and go, though, and with 240 hp you’re really not short changed on power.

On the tech front, it’s usual BMW fare, and that these days is a good thing as the usability of the firm’s proprietary iDrive system has improved over previous generations.

See the full review after the virtual jump for the complete picture!