The newly-unveiled third-gen BMW X3 has a bigger body, and yet is lighter.
Premium mid-size SUV gets a bigger body yet with lighter weight and maintained levels of performance and fuel economy.
So, the family look continues… Yes it does, just like with many brands now, particularly BMW. The third-generation X3 has just been officially unveiled and, as ever, represents a gentle evolution over its predecessor.
In an effort to bring its new mid- size SUV in line with the family-oriented X1 and X5, BMW has fitted the X3 with bigger kidney grilles and air vents up front, as well as chunkier-looking tail lights and twin exhausts. The lamps on both ends are of the LED type. Wheel sizes now start at 18 inches rather than 17 with options of up to 21.
The interior has been totally revamped and now includes a freestanding central touchscreen, digital instrument display, full-colour head- up display and the brand’s latest steering wheel design. Three trims are available: xLine, Luxury and M Sport.
How much has it grown in size?
The X3 has grown in all dimensions by being 51mm longer at 4,708mm, 10mm wider at 1,891mm and 15mm taller at 1,676mm. The 2,864mm wheelbase is 54mm more than before.
Thanks to more use of aluminium under the skin, the X3 is around 55kg lighter than its predecessor model-on- model. As a result, the X3 scores with a bigger body but with basically maintained levels of performance and economy when using carried-over drivetrains.
The most relevant choice for the Thai market is no other than the 190hp 2.0-litre diesel- turbo of the 20d xDrive model. The 0- 100kph acceleration and fuel economy figures of 8.0sec and 18.5kpl are practically the same as before.
Other variants that are unlikely to come to Thailand include the
184hp 20i and 252hp 30i petrol heads, as well as the 265hp 30d. Eight-speed automatic transmission is standard throughout the range, except for the 20i, which can be had in RWDonly form when sales of this particular model start after the others by mid-2018.
For the first time, the X3 comes with a performance- oriented version dubbed M40i. It has a 360hp 3.0-litre petrol-turbo motor to directly rival the Audi SQ5 and Mercedes-AMG GLC43.
When will the X 3 come to Thai shores?
The X3 is most likely to come in the final quarter of this year. While the latest Audi Q5 was launched in Thailand earlier this year, Volvo’s all-new XC60 should also arrive at nearly the same time as the new X3. Also coming is the facelifted NX from Lexus to make 2017 an active year for premium mid-size SUVs.
As said earlier, the choice of motor in the new X3 would be that in the 20d because it has always been in the previous generations. Of course, the rear-drive 20i sDrive could also help lower the X3’s price point from the 3.5-million-baht level being put on the current 20d.
Although not announced yet, a plug- in hybrid should follow suit and has a high potential of coming to Thai showrooms due to special taxes for it in this country. Today’s X5 is currently being offered with a 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid.
The Mercedes- Benz GLC, the most direct rival for the X3 in Thailand, is now being offered in just one form: GLC250d featuring 204hp 2.1- litre diesel- turbo and nine- speed automatic. A plug- in hybrid for the GLC is not being planned for the moment in right- hand- drive form.