BMW confirms X4 production

Production of the BMW X4 sports SUV has been confirmed.

The new X4 will be built in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where BMW will invest $900 million (580 million) to produce the sporting version of its X3 compact 4x4.

The four-seater X4 is expected to go on sale in 2014, and will be lower and more agile than the X3 (pictured). It's also likely that a high-perormance X4 M will be added to the new range.

Early design proposals suggest the X4 will have a more sporty look than the X3, with a more purposeful front end, a curved coupe-style roofline and sharply angled tailgate.

The rival to Porsche's forthcoming Cajun is expected to offer a choice of four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines combined with a six-speed manual gearbox. An optional eight-speed auto 'box is also likely.

The investment at the Spartanburg factory will boost its annual production capacity to 350,000 vehicles by 2014.