The new BMW X3 (G45) features a redesigned exterior with a larger, more imposing look, including updated kidney grilles and new LED headlights. It offers a new three-model lineup with petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid options, and the interior includes a standard 14.9-inch BMW Curved Display. Digital enhancements are significant, with a new BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and optional Digital Premium package for streaming and gaming.
Exterior and design
- Redesigned front: Features a new interpretation of the BMW kidney grille with contour line lighting and a new double-light signature for the headlights.
- M Sport package: Enhances the sporty appearance with features like an M Sport Pro package, dark tailpipes, and optional red M Sport brakes on the exterior.
- Modern details: Includes flush door handles that pull out, privacy glass, and full LED taillights.
- Wheels: Available with options like gloss-lathed 21″ M light alloy wheels.
- Rear: A wider and more squat rear design is paired with a new light cluster design.
Performance and powertrain
- Three-model lineup: The new X3 will be offered in petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid models, all with all-wheel drive and automatic transmissions.
- BMW X3 M50: Features a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six petrol engine with
293293293 kW and
520520520 Nm of torque, reaching
100100100 km/h in
4.64.64.6 seconds.
- BMW X3 20d: A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine produces
145145145 kW and
400400400 Nm, with a claimed fuel consumption of
6.26.26.2 L/100 km.
- BMW X3 30e xDrive: A plug-in hybrid combines a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor for a total of
220220220 kW and
450450450 Nm. It has a claimed electric range of about
858585 km and consumes only
1.11.11.1 L/100 km.
Interior and technology
- Interior: A standard 14.9-inch BMW Curved Display is a key feature, along with a new BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant that uses voice control.
- Digital Key Plus: Allows users to unlock and lock the car contactless with their smartphone.
- Optional entertainment: The optional BMW Digital Premium package adds features like streaming and gaming.
- Storage: The power tailgate opens to reveal approximately
323232 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, which expands to
1,7001 comma 7001,700 L when the seats are folded.
- New equipment: A tyre repair kit Plus is now part of the standard equipment on selected models.
Plant Rosslyn in Gauteng currently builds the X3 20 (petrol), X3 20d (diesel), X3 40d xDrive (diesel) and X3 30e xDrive (PHEV). Producing units in both left- and right-hand drive, the facility exports to more than 40 countries.
Back in 2018, Plant Rosslyn switched from producing the 3 Series to building the G01-series X3, before changing to the G45-series X3 in October 2024 (and becoming the only facility in the world producing the X3 30e xDrive PHEV). Van Binsbergen described the move to an SUV as “great strategy”.
“The [BMW] Group saw that the sedan market was declining worldwide, and the SUV market was growing. So, they predicted that we needed more SUV capacity and switched our plant to X3. So, great strategy and a great result,” he told us.
“In the last-generation X3, right until runout, we were fully sold out. And with the current generation of X3, which we started producing last year October, we are maxed out in our production at Rosslyn. So, we’re in a very good space right now because of good strategy.”
Interestingly, Van Binsbergen – who has been in the top job since the beginning of 2021 – said the company was “seeing a massive trend towards PHEVs right now”, revealing that “about half of our volume currently being produced in Rosslyn [including for export] is the PHEV”.
