All-new BMW X3 will be bigger than ever

BMW is in the midst of updating its range of SUVs and the latest member to get a refresh will be the new X3 - which we’ve spied testing on the road with less camouflage.

With the X1 compact crossover growing in size in its latest third-generation form, the X3 will be larger to help differentiate from its smaller sibling. We should also see a revised interior utilising BMW’s latest technology and, crucially, a wider choice of powertrains.

This decision from BMW to retain combustion-engined options alongside an all-new iX3 EV will mean the new X3 family will be underpinned by two platforms. Our images show an internal-combustion engined X3 and as we’ve seen with the BMW 5 Series and all-electric i5, the fully-electric, second-generation iX3 will arrive after the ICE model. 

We can already tell the new X3 will adopt a similar front end to the X1, rather than the recently facelift X5. The headlight clusters are angled down for an aggressive look and the grilles are pretty familiar to the outgoing X3’s. Between the lower air duct in the front bumper there’s a structure which we assume to be the front radar. 

The fairly conservative approach to the styling (certainly more than the bold 7 Series, X7, XM and X2) continues to the rear. There’s a roof spoiler that wraps down and around the rear window and below we can just make out the rear light cluster, which integrates a sideways Y-shape into the signature. 

The current X3 is one the oldest models in BMW’s line up and as such the new car will receive a completely new interior with technology lifted from BMW’s newer offerings. Expect the X3’s to make use of the curved, dual-screen 12.3-inch driver’s screen and 14.9-inch central display that arrived on the facelifted X5 this year. The gear lever stalk in the centre console will likely be replaced with a small toggle switch as well.

The petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid X3s will be based on an evolution of BMW’s current CLAR (Cluster Architecture) multi-energy platform, while the next iX3 all-electric model will transition to bespoke underpinnings as part of BMW’s future ‘Neue Klasse’ (new class) technology.

Expect a 48-volt mild-hybrid 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol xDrive20i model to open the range, with the potential for a small hike in power compared with the outgoing car’s 181bhp output, while the xDrive20d – also a 48-volt mild-hybrid unit – should also be retained. 

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Larger 3.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol and diesel options are likely to join the four-cylinder cars, and are set to be badged as M Performance models. As per the current X3 line-up, these could be called M40i and M40d, with the petrol motor set to produce in the region of 360bhp, and the diesel a little less, at around 340bhp.

All combustion-engined cars will be linked to an eight-speed automatic gearbox and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system, including the 30e plug-in hybrid. Expect a boost in all-electric range to push the new petrol-electric X3 beyond the X5 xDrive50e’s maximum EV range of 67 miles.

Given that the firm’s X1 has grown in size, the next X3 will also get bigger again, offering more space inside and an increase over the current car’s 550 litres of boot capacity. There will also be improved interior technology that should further evolve the company’s infotainment set-up. Given stories this year surrounding BMW’s ConnectedDrive Functions on Demand, with an increased level of connectivity, expect these switchable services to feature more heavily on the new car.

Combustion-engined models will arrive first in 2024, while the next-generation iX3 will follow later in 2025. BMW CEO Oliver Zipse confirmed that an SUV would mark the debut of the new platform alongside a more conventional saloon, saying: “Our Neue Klasse is coming in 2025 – for the launch we are planning a compact sedan in the 3 Series segment and a sporty SUV.”

All Neue-Klasse cars will make use of BMW’s upcoming sixth-generation eDrive motors and battery systems that will boost efficiency and range. BMW has confirmed that it will move to Tesla-style cylindrical cells with its Gen6 tech that will help to boost range by as much as 30 per cent compared with the current Gen5 technology in cars such as the firm’s i4 saloon.

It means a range of up to 500 miles on a full charge could be possible, according to technical boss Frank Weber, but it’s unlikely that BMW will aim for anything greater than this because it’s thought that the firm doesn’t believe any more range in a car such as the X3 is necessary at this point. To accompany the improvement in energy density and efficiency, BMW has also confirmed the new platform will feature 800-volt electronics, while the Gen6 tech will cut charge times by around 30 per cent, with a 10-to-80 per cent top-up taking around 25 minutes, thanks to charging rates of up to 250kW.

Expect prices to rise beyond the current combustion-engined X3’s £45,360 starting price when the new car breaks cover in 2024, while given the iX3’s all-new platform technology and significantly improved range and charging capability, the starting figure will be hiked compared with the current version’s £63,260 price tag.

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