The BMW X3M
promises to be for compact luxury crossovers what the M3 is to sedans,
delivering blistering performance to those who prefer a more practical body
style, especially in absence of a Touring model, even if it
comes with a small price in handling and weight.
Carscoops spies got close enough to a prototype of the X3M
during testing and grabbed several pictures of both the exterior and for the
first time, of the interior. If you’re asking whether you’ll be able to tell it
apart from regular X3s, the answer is yes, but if you’re specifically wondering
about other “M Sport” edition of the X3, including the X3 M40i, we’ll say only
if you pay attention to details.
Like most “M” models these days, BMW’s
performance arm prefers a more subtle approach to styling. Beyond a slightly
modified version of the “M Sport” body kit that adds more sculpted bumpers and
side skits, the X3M will try to stand out
with quad pipes, bespoke larger wheels, blue-colored brake calipers, and
model-specific trimmings, such as the double kidney slats.
BMW M employs the same principles in their interiors
– upgraded “M Sport” kit with some bespoke details here and there. As you can
see in these pictures, compared to the X3 M40i, the main difference is the new
M shifter in an upside-down “L” shape with red accents that continue on the
adjacent suspension mode buttons, both of which can be found in the new M5.
Aside from M-specific digital instruments, we suspect that BMW will also give
the X3M a red start-button – just like on the M5.
The biggest changes are
hidden under its bonnet, where we’ll find the next iteration of BMW’s
high-performance 3.0-liter turbocharged-six. Codenamed S58, it’s actually based
on the B58 used in the X3 M40i where it makes 360 PS and 500 Nm of
torque, with upgraded hardware. The unit, which will be used in the
next M3 and M4 models too, is believed to produce around 460 horsepower in the
X3 application.
Paired to a standard 8-speed automatic transmission
and a specially tuned rear-biased xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the X3M should
be able to go from zero to 100 km/h in 4 seconds flat. For comparison,
the new X3 M40i does it in 4.8 seconds. Top speed will
likely be electronically limited to 250 km/h, but some markets might
get an optional performance package to increase it to around 275 km/h.
