BMW will launch the X3 xDrive30e into production next month. It will be the German premium marque’s sixth plug-in hybrid vehicle and the second SUV (after the X5 xDrive45e).
The model will pack a 2.0-liter four-cylinder B58 engine of the xDrive20i, rated at 184 hp (137 kW) and 290 Nm (214 lb-ft) of torque. An electric motor with 109 hp (81 kW) and 130 Nm (96 lb-ft) of its own will be built straight into the eight-speed automatic transmission. The drive will permanently stay on all four wheels.
With only 292 hp (218 kW) and 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) total, it is unsurprising that the new X3 lags behind its main rivals, namely the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 e and the Audi Q5 55 TFSI e. It gets from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.1 seconds, while the Mercedes needs 5.7 s and the Audi only 5.3 s. Its top going speed is also limited at 210 km/h (130.5 mph), as contrasted with the 230 km/h (143 mph) and 239 km/h (148.5 mph) of the above two, respectively.
The PHEV comes equipped with a 12-kWh battery located behind the back seats and a gasoline tank situated above the rear axle. This leads to a reduction in trunk size from 550 to just 450 liters (19.4 -> 15.9 cubic feet).
Despite the small battery size, BMW claims the new X3 can cover more than 40 kilometers (25 miles) on electric power alone, which is more than its market competitors can do. The top speed in this mode stays capped at 135 km/h (84 mph).
Charging the car from a regular wall socket takes less than 6 hours, and using the high-power charging device (up to 22 kW) reduces the waiting to 3 and a half hours.
Standard equipment includes a digital dashboard with model-exclusive blue instrument graphics. The trims are the same as for the ICE version, except for Advanced, which is not available.
Production will launch in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA in December, but first cars will not roll to their buyers until March 2020. Prices in Europe start from €58,450, which is almost equal to the X3 xDrive 30d (265 hp / 198 kW) and €2,000 cheaper than the Audi Q5 55 TFSI e. As for the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 e, the pricing for that model is still pending.
The X3 range will expand in 2020 to incorporate the new all-electric ix3, and the X1 SUV will join the PHEV lineup along with the new 3 Series estate/wagon.