BMW X3 gets modern new look

BMW has unveiled the fourth generation X3, which now comes with a sleek new exterior.

The car now measures in at 4,755mm long, 1,920mm wide, and 1,660mm tall, making it 34mm longer, 29mm wider, and most crucially, 25mm shorter than its predecessor, giving it a more planted stance.

The new BMW X3 is now 34mm longer, while its total height has been reduced by 25mm compared to its predecessor

Up front, the car now gets angular head lights not unlike those found on the X1. These sit at either end of a kidney grille that now sports both vertically and diagonally arranged bars, just like those we first saw on the new 1 Series hatchback.

At either flank, the BMW X3 now sports bold side skirts and prominently flared wheel arches, while there's also a flush-mounted rear window bordered by a long roof spoiler at the rear of the car. All variants of the BMW X3 will get their exhaust tailpipes integrated within the rear apron so they stay out of sight, unless that is, you opt for the X3 M50 xDrive.

That's right. The new X3 lineup is now being led by a new M50 xDrive (before you get into the full-blooded X3 M, that is) that gets a total of 393bhp alongside 580Nm of torque via a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine. Paired with an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, this variant of the X3 will sprint to 100km/h from a standstill in 4.6 seconds. That is a fair bit greater than the 355bhp and 500Nm of torque that the previous BMW X3 M40i used to offer.

A BMW X3 M50 xDrive is now offered, with a total of 393bhp and 580Nm from its 3.0-litre engine

More environmentally-friendly options are available, of course, including the new BMW X3 30e xDrive, which gets a total output of 295bhp from its 2.0-litre engine paired alongside a 181bhp electric motor fed by a 19.7kWh battery which allows the car to post an electric-only range of 90km (the previous X3 30e xDrive offers an electric-only range of 55km).

Local shoppers will more likely be interested in the X3 20 xDrive, however, which comes with a 188bhp 2.0-litre engine that develops a total of 310Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate to 100km/h from a standstill in 7.8 seconds.

BMW states that all examples of the X3 are said to now get clearly noticeable increase in agility, cornering stability and long-distance comfort thanks to an increased body rigidity and the wider rear track. The car makes use of a double-joint spring strut suspension design at it front axle and a five-link suspension design at the rear axle. BMW states that the caster offset of the steering axle has been increased by 19% for increased straight-line stability.

The premium compact SUV gets a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display in its cabin alongside the firm's Interaction Bar and new lighting elements on its centre console

M Sport suspension, which includes a sports steering system and M Sport brakes (both standard for the new BMW X3 M50 xDrive), and an adaptive suspension system continue to be available as added options for the premium compact SUV.

In the cabin, the BMW X3 now operates on the firm's Operating System 9, displayed through a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display. The car also gets the firm's Interaction Bar as well as a new flat-bottomed steering wheel and gear selector lever, while new lighting elements now sit at the car's centre console and door trims.

The new BMW X3 will be built at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the U.S.A and Plant Rosslyn in South Africa. Market launch is scheduled for the last quarter of 2024 in Europe and the U.S.A, with other markets to follow come early 2025.