BMW plans to officially reveal the next generation
of its X3 this Monday, on June 26, but we’re guessing the memo got lost
somewhere along the way in Honk Kong, as the brand’s local website posted the
new model in all its glory.
Add to that extra press pictures obtained by BMW
Blog and we have a crystal clear view of Munich’s luxury crossover that will go
on sale later this year, very likely after its world premiere at the Frankfurt
Motor Show in the fall.
The third generation X3 evolves its predecessors
exterior design language with some softer and rounder edges, prettier lighting
units and an even larger interpretation of BMW’s trademark double kidney
grille.
We don’t have all the specs in our hands yet, but it
seems that the new model has longer rear doors and quarter windows, suggesting
that the wheelbase has been extended over the previous model’s 2,810 mm.
On the inside, the X3 incorporates many of the
styling and technology features seen on the new 5-Series with a digital display
for the instrument panel (though, we expect this to be optional on most models)
and large floating screen for the latest iDrive infotainment system on top of
the dash.
Underneath the 2018 model you’ll find a revised
version of BMW’s high-strength steel platform paired to a double wishbone front
and multilink rear suspension, that will also form the base for the second
iteration of the sportier-bodied X4 that will follow next year.
We get to see the X3 M40i that is
powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six delivering 360 horses and
500 Nm of peak torque mated to a standard eight-speed automatic
turning all four wheels through BMW’s xDrive system.
According to the official spec sheet, the M Performance
model hits 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds topping out at an electronically
limited 250 km/h, while returning an average fuel consumption of
between 8.2 and 8.4 l/100km (equal to 28.0-28.7mpg US or 33.6-34.5mpg UK).
BMW’s Hong Kong webpage also notes the X3 xDrive20d
and xDrive30d diesel models. Four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline versions,
including the US and Canadian market 2.0-liter xDrive30i with the same 248 hp
output as on the new 530i, will be added to the range.
Later on, we will see a plug-in hybrid baby brother
to the X5 xDrive40e with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine, as well as the first pure
M X3 sporting a version of the M3’s 3.0L straight-six with over 400 horses.
