The recently upgraded BMW X3 can now be specced with a diesel engine. It was launched in a petrol-only guise last month at prices starting from Rs 59.9 lakh (ex-showroom). The new diesel-powered X3 — the X3 xDrive20d — is, unlike its petrol counterpart, available only in one trim, the Luxury Line, and is priced at Rs 65.5 lakh (ex-showroom). The Audi Q5 rival is now thoroughly refreshed, thanks to the recent mid-life update (or LCi in BMW parlance), more on which you can read below. Its list of rivals also includes the Mercedes-Benz GLC, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Jaguar F-Pace and the Volvo XC60.
The diesel version is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine which makes 190hp and 400Nm. The company claims that it can catapult the X3 from 0 to 100kph in just under eight seconds. The petrol version, also an inline-four, is more powerful at 252hp, although, as expected, the max torque is down to 350Nm. It’s quicker to a 100kph by quite a margin — 6.6 seconds vs the diesel’s 7.9 seconds. But in everyday use, they’re likely to be evenly matched, with the diesel engine’s torque advantage and the 8-speed automatic gearbox ensuring that there’s no tangible lack of power.
The updated xDrive20d Luxury Line includes a single-frame kidney grille, new headlamps and taillights (the former with the adaptive feature), panoramic glass roof, 3-zone climate control, Harman Kardon surround system, BMW Live Cockpit (12.3-inch instrument panel and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen), 19-inch alloy wheels, etc. True to BMW’s driver-focused ethos, the X3 comes replete with cornering brake control, dynamic stability control, 4WD with variable torque distribution, variable torque split for the rear wheels, dynamic damper control, and multiple drive modes.
For the Luxury Line, there’s just one interior trim but four exterior colour choices. Visually, it’s less menacing than the top-spec (for petrol) X3 xDrive 30i M Sport, which incidentally can be purchased for an identical Rs 65.9 lakh (ex-showroom). BMW also offers service packages for the X3 and warranty extension packages for up to four more years, after the completion of the standard two-year period. BMW India states that one can purchase the X3 at a monthly cost of just under Rs 80k, and there’s a reassured buyback of 60 percent of the new vehicle’s cost at the end of the term, under the BMW 360 financial plans.
Photo of the global X3 used for representation only. The Indian-spec car differs slightly in spec.
