New BMW X3 confirmed for 2024
The next generation of BMW's top seller in Australia is due in overseas showrooms by the end of next year.
The next-generation 2025 BMW X3 luxury SUV is due to enter production next year, the German car giant has confirmed.
Plug-in hybrid versions of the next-generation BMW X3 will be manufactured "for global export" in South Africa, with production to begin sometime next year.
Regular petrol and diesel of the current BMW X3 are produced in South Africa for Australia, while the plug-in hybrid xDrive30e and high-performance X3 M are built in the US, and the electric iX3 comes from China.
Caught on camera for the first time last year, overseas reports claim internal combustion-engined (petrol, diesel and hybrid) and electric versions of the next BMW X3 will diverge for the new model.
The electric iX3 is reportedly planned to move from an adapted version of the petrol and diesel model's underpinnings, to BMW's upcoming 'Neue Klasse' dedicated electric-car platform due from 2025.
BimmerPost forum user and BMW insider 'ynguldyn' – who has a strong track record for sharing future model plans – claims the new petrol and diesel X3 range, codenamed G45, is due to enter production in August 2024.
It is due to be followed by the electric iX3, codenamed NA5, in a new factory in Hungary a year later, from August 2025.
According to ynguldyn, the G45 X3 is planned to launch outside of the US with four models: the four-cylinder petrol X3 20 xDrive, four-cylinder diesel X3 20d xDrive, plug-in hybrid X3 30e xDrive, and six-cylinder performance-oriented X3 M50 xDrive.
The initial model range in the US will reportedly be limited to the M50 xDrive, plus a four-cylinder petrol X3 30 xDrive – with more power than the 20 xDrive – that is set to spread to other markets at a later date.
These model names – as they are listed by ynguldyn – form part of plans to drop the 'i' from the end of model names for petrol BMW models, as used on all fuel-injected petrol BMWs since the mid 1970s, to minimise confusion with its growing range of BMW i electric cars.
It remains to be seen if the model names reported by ynguldyn make it to production, or if BMW uses trademarks it recently filed for X320 and X330, plus iX330, iX340 and iX350 for electric models.
Due at a later date is a high-performance petrol X3 M (codenamed G97), according to the BimmerPost user, as well as a 'coupe-styled' BMW X4 twin (G46), with its own X4 M (G98) version, and electric iX4 (codenamed NA7) twin.
According to the forum user, the new BMW X3 will carry over its engines from the current model – despite the new M50 name for what is known as the M40i today.
ynguldyn says there will be "a step up in luxury", with Iconic Glow illuminated front grilles, "fancier" interior materials, the iDrive 8 twin interior screens from the iX electric SUV and large X5 SUV, and a Harman Kardon sound system.
However the user says the new X3 may miss out on Level 3 semi-autonomous driving technology from the latest 5 Series sedan, as well as its Bowers and Wilkins surround sound system.
Spy photos show the new X3 will draw influence from the latest BMW X1 small SUV, with flush-fitting door handles, fewer creases and less sculpting on the body, and sharper LED headlights and tail-lights.
According to ynguldyn, the X3 M50 will differentiate itself with M Sport suspension (available with adaptive dampers as an option), standard illuminated front grilles, 20-inch alloy wheels, and "the usual M interior and exterior parts".
The 2024 BMW X3 is expected to be unveiled in mid 2024 – likely as a Model Year 2025 vehicle – ahead of first Australian arrivals expected before the end of next year, based on production and arrival timing for past BMW model launches.
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