A new 355bhp version of BMW’s smallest crossover coupe is about to hit the road and it’s gunning for the Porsche Macan.

The new model, the X4 M40i, will move right to the top of the X4 range when it goes on sale, promising a heady mix of practicality and power.

Four doors, space for four adult passengers, plenty of luggage space and a commanding driving position combined with a 0-100km/h time of just 4.9 seconds and limited top speed of 250km/h.

Its 3-liter twin-turbocharged straight six engine is a brand new powerplant and as well as offering up 355bhp it is also capable of delivering 8.6l/100km in terms of fuel consumption and combined CO2 emissions of 199g/km.

And even though it isn’t an official out-and-out M car — like the larger X5M and X6M crossovers (or Sports Activity Vehicles, as BMW likes to call them) — it still beats its closest rival, the Porsche Macan Turbo in terms of emissions, economy and, crucially acceleration.