After making various appearances at motor shows around the world in near-production concept guises, it comes as no surprise that BMW has finally given the X4 the green light.

The X4 will share its technical blueprint with the X3, but will be 14mm longer and sits 37mm lower than its stablemate to boast a more dynamic stance.

Up to three petrol and three diesel engines willl be offered for the X4, with power output ranging from 184bhp to 313bhp. The compact Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) will also receive BMW's xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system, as well as a host of the marque's proprietary technologies such as EfficientDynamics and ConnectedDrive.

Although the Bavarian automaker has released pictures of the production-ready X4 for the first time, the public will still have to wait till next month for the New York Auto Show before being able to catch the compact SUV in the flesh.

BMW said it will begin production of the X4 at its assembly plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, shortly after its world debut.