The Bavarian automaker’s most popular crossover has been completely redesigned inside and out, but got to keep its old architecture with only minor modifications. It won’t go on sale until the final quarter of the year, so let’s take a look at the details in the meantime.
The new X3 is marginally longer, wider and taller than its predecessor, but has the same 2,865 mm (112 inches) of wheelbase. In Europe, it will be offered exclusively as a mild hybrid equipped with an eight-speed AT and all-wheel drive.
The most affordable powertrains use 2.0-liter petrol and diesel engines. The former option delivers 208 PS (205 hp / 153 kW) and sprints 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 7.8 seconds. The diesel has a bit less power at 197 PS (194 hp / 145 kW), but is one-tenth of a second faster at sprinting thanks to the extra torque. Both receive assistance from 48V starter-generators.
The middle-ground spec is called 30e. It combines a 2.0-liter engine with a full-fledged electric motor for 299 PS (295 hp / 220 kW) heading to the wheels and 81–90 km (50–56 miles) of all-electric range.
The new X3 M50 remains the flagship spec for the time being, using a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine to send 398 PS (393 hp / 293 kW) to the wheels. The sprint time is actually somewhat sporty at 4.6 seconds.
In the United States, the new X3 will additionally be available with a 258-PS (254-hp / 190-kW) version of the 2.0-liter engine. Like in the rest of the world, there will be no RWD variants on offer.