BMW X3: Sneak peek before the big reveal!
Get ready for a bigger, sleeker BMW X3! This all-new, fourth-generation SUV is expected to be unveiled in June 2024 and hit production lines in July. While full details are still under wraps, we know it will come with traditional gasoline and diesel engine options.
More aerodynamic and sharper handling:
- The new X3 cuts through the air more efficiently with a drag coefficient of 0.27 (down from 0.29), likely boosting fuel economy.
- Expect a larger size compared to the previous model.
- The X3 (G45) should handle better due to a wider track, reduced rear lift, increased rigidity, and upgraded anti-roll bars.
- An optional adaptive chassis with electronically controlled shocks should further enhance driving dynamics.
Focus on safety and comfort:
- The X3 boasts a more direct steering ratio for a more comfortable driving experience.
- BMW equips the new X3 with the latest safety and driver assistance features, aiming for a high Euro NCAP crash test rating.
Interior: Brace yourself for a minimalist approach! The new X3 is likely to ditch many physical buttons in favor of a touchscreen infotainment system, similar to other recent BMW models.
Powertrain:
- Performance: Rumors suggest the top-of-the-line model might be called the M50 instead of the M40i, hinting at a possible power bump. There might not be a full-blown X3 M this time around.
- Goodbye “i” for gasoline? The X3 could be the first BMW to drop the “i” designation for gasoline engines. Diesel and plug-in hybrids will likely retain their “d” and “e” suffixes.
- Plug-in hybrid gets a boost: The upcoming X3 plug-in hybrid (possibly named xDrive30e) is expected to have a larger battery for a greater electric driving range.
- iX3 electric SUV gets a platform upgrade: The fully electric iX3, previewed by the Vision Neue Klasse X concept, will be a separate model on a new platform (Neue Klasse) and arrive a year later than the X3.
Also read : Porsche Macan EV: Electrifying Performance, Sharper Handling
BMW X3 India Update:
- The recently facelifted X3 arrived in India in January 2022 with only a gasoline engine.
- Diesel options were added in March 2023, followed by the discontinuation of gasoline variants. The high-performance X3 M40i was also introduced last year.
- Currently, the X3 starts at Rs 68.5 lakh and comes in two diesel variants: xDrive20d xLine and xDrive20d M Sport.
- No official announcement on the new X3’s arrival in India, but BMW is focusing on launching the new 5 Series and i5 here in the coming months.
