2017 BMW X3 revealed with hot M40i rival to Audi SQ5

The design of the new X3 is credited to Calvin Luk, the young Australian who also takes the kudos for the second-generation BMW X1 and upcoming third-generation Z4.  “The plan from the outset was to give the new model a more athletic spirit while retaining the visual formality of its predecessor. It is known within the design team as the rugby player in a suit, he says.”

At 4716mm in length, 1897mm in width and 1676mm in height, the new BMW is 61mm longer, 17mm wider and, in its most sporting M40i M Performance guise, 16mm higher than its predecessor. By comparison, the recently introduced second-generation Audi Q5 stretches to 4663mm in length, 1893mm in width and 1659mm in height.

According to Luk, the increase in dimensions was driven both by customer feedback for greater interior space together with the need to further distance the new X3 from the smaller second-generation X1 launch in 2016.

Sporting a bold new front end with a prominent kidney grille and a heavily contoured bonnet with greater structuring than the outgoing model, the 2017-model-year X3 will be offered in three trim variants in the UK.

The SE receives LED headlamps and tail lamps as standard, together with aluminium roof rails and 18-inch wheels.  Above it is the xLine, which gets a aluminium grille highlights, more rugged looking bumpers and off-road focused 19-inch wheels. The M Sport features its own unique bumper design, optional blue-painted brake calipers and more sporting 19-inch wheels.

The top-of-the-line M40i gets its own individual look with optional 21-inch wheels.

Based around BMW’s CLAR (cluster architecture) platform, the new BMW also receives a 54mm longer wheelbase than the second-generation X3 at 2864mm. The longer wheelbase has led to a subtle shift in weight distribution, which is put at a claimed 50:50 front-to-rear.  

Although it has grown in size, the added use of light weight metals and alloys, including hot formed high tensile steel within the floorpan and other load bearing areas of the body structure as well as aluminium for the bonnet and doors, has resulted in a 55kg reduction in kerb weight when increased standard equipment levels are taken into account, according to BMW, with the new entry level X3 xDrive20d tipping the scales at 1750kg.

Despite the increase in dimensions, including a larger frontal area, BMW says extensive wind tunnel development has netted the X3 a class leading drag co-efficient of 0.29 – an improvement of 0.03 on the old model, which boasts a figure of 0.32.

Drag reducing measures include louvers within grille that open and close depending on the cooling requirements of the engine, more extensive underbody cladding and a sizeable spoiler atop the tailgate at the rear to smooth air flow over the rear. Although the new SUV sports air breather elements at the trailing edge of the front wheel arches they are only for stylistic effect and do not perform any aerodynamic function.

As part of efforts to provide the latest X3 with more up-market qualities than its predecessor, BMW has also focused its engineering efforts at enhancing refinement. As well as receiving greater sound deadening material within its new platform, the 2017 model features a windscreen with so-called acoustic glass that is claimed to bring a dramatic reduction in wind noise levels at speed as standard. The same glass is also available as an option for the front side windows.

Inside, the interior is completely restyled with many elements mirroring the focus on hexangonal shapes and beveled edges seen within the exterior. Up front, there’s a new higher quality dashboard closely modeled on that used by the 5-series featuring a free standing infotainment monitor for the first time.  Reacting to customer feedback, BMW has created additional oddment storage, including the incorporation of larger bins within the centre console and door pockets that accept one-litre bottles.   

Among the more contemporary options is a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, a head up display unit with multi-colour graphics and a 10.2-inch infotainment monitor – the latter of which boasts standard touch control, but can also be ordered with conversational speech and gesture control function.

Along with additional legroom brought on by the increase in the wheelbase, BMW says rear seat comfort has benefited through a 20mm increase in seat height, placing occupant higher above the floor and allowing a more relaxed seating position. “We put a big effort into enhancing the rear seat experience,” says Luk, adding, “The rear seat passengers are not left out, they’re still part of the party.”

The boot capacity remains the same as before at 550-litres, extending to 1600-litres when the standard 40:20:20 configured split-folding rear seat is stowed.

BMW has confirmed the new X3 will be offered in three models from the start of sales, with buyers given the choice of a single petrol and two diesel engines in combination with either a standard six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox along with the latest version of the German car maker’s xDrive four wheel drive system and BMW’s Driving Experience Control function that allows the driver to choose between varying driving modes as standard.

At the head of the line-up, the X3 M40i’s turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine delivers 355bhp and 369lb ft of torque. In combination with a standard eight-speed torque converter equipped automatic gearbox and an xDrive four-wheel drive system featuring unique software settings for what BMW describes as rear biased delivery of drive, it provides the Mercedes-Benz GLC43 rival with a 0-62mph time of 4.8sec and limited 155mph top speed in combination with combination with combined cycle fuel consumption of 34.5mpg and average CO2 emissions of 188g/km.

Among the completion for the new performance based X3 model is the Audi SQ5, which runs a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine developing 349bhp and 369lb ft of torque.  Other rivals include the Mercedes-AMG GLC43, whose turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine kicks out 362bhp and 383lb ft of torque.

The new X3 performance leader will be joined from the outset by two diesel models in the UK. Included is the X3 xDrive 20d, which runs the latest evolution of BMW’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder common rail diesel engine allied to a standard six-speed manual gearbox and standard xDrive four-wheel drive. With 187bhp and 295lb ft of torque, it provides the initial entry level X3 with 0-62mph acceleration in 8.0sec and a 132mph top speed as well as combined consumption of 56.5mpg and a CO2 emission figure of 132g/km.

Rounding out the initial line-up is the X3 xDrive30d. It receives BMW’s widely-used turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder common rail diesel engine tuned to deliver 261bhp and 457lb ft of torque. This is sufficient for a 0-62mph time of 5.8sec and 149mph top speed, while providing combined consumption of 49.6mpg and average emissions of 149g/km.

Shortly after launch, BMW will also add a further petrol engine to the new X3 line-up. The turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit delivers 181bhp and 214lb ft in the X3 xDrive20i and a gutsier 248bhp and 258lb ft in the X3 xDrive 30i. The same engine is also earmarked to power a rear-wheel drive X3 sDrive20i model, though it is not planned for sale in the UK.