BMW has released details of the revised X3 SUV, which goes on sale in the UK in September.
Along with two new petrol engines, the tweaked X3 will also get the most powerful diesel engine ever to appear in a BMW in the UK.The new powerplant is a twin-turbo 3.0-litre diesel producing 282bhp and 428lb ft of torque that has been developed from the engine used in the BMW 535d. It gives the auto-only X3 3.0sd seriously rapid performance, with 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds and a 149mph top speed.
As in the 535d, the new engine uses two turbos: one small and one large, to produce plenty of urge lower in the rev range, as well as to reduce turbo lag to a minimum. This means peak torque is developed from just 1750rpm through to 2250rpm, but the engine can rev to 4400rpm.
Also new to the X3 are two six-cylinder petrol engines, a 2.5-litre 215bhp and 3.0-litre 268bhp unit. Both engines are constructed of aluminium and magnesium alloy. The existing 148bhp 2.0-litre diesel and 215bhp 3.0-litre diesel will continue.
It’s not just under the bonnet that the X3 has been tweaked: the front and rear bumpers and alloy wheel range have also been updated, along with the rear lights and rear bodywork, which now features more body-colour material. Inside, there have been changes to the materials used in the centre console.
Other updates include enhanced DSC stability control (now standard across the range) and DTC traction control.
Prices and full specification will be announced in the autumn.
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