The second-generation BMW X3 is receiving its mid-life model facelift - a BMW tradition - along with a range of EU6-compliant TwinPower turbodiesel engines, some new exterior colours and wheel designs, and a few new trim lines. The line-up starts at €46,680 on-the-road for the X3 sDrive18d SE and goes on sale in June.
Exterior
Bizarrely, though this is just a refresh of the all-new version of X3 that came out in 2011, the dimensions of the facelifted version have changed - albeit minutely. This version is now 1cm longer than the old car, yet all other measurements remain the same. BMW aficionados will know that a facelift usually means bigger kidney grilles and that's the case here, those items teaming up with new twin circular headlights (which can be optioned up in LED format with LED front fog lamps too), mild revisions to the front and rear bumpers and the inclusion of LED indicators in the door mirrors. There are four new colours to finish the X3 in, plus five new alloy wheel designs.
Interior
As per the outside, there are new colours and trims within - four of each. There are also new cupholders in the centre console and a leather steering wheel as standard. The X3 can be had with ConnectedDrive technology, including such highlights as Professional Multimedia navigation with a new iDrive Touch Controller, full colour Head-Up Display and Driving Assistant Plus, a package that includes lane departure warning, preventive pedestrian protection and active cruise control with stop and go functionality. There's even the option to have 360-degree surround view cameras for the nervous parker. Emergency Call is now standard, which sees the car automatically report its exact location and details to the BMW call centre in the event of an accident.
Mechanicals
All of the updated engines are TwinPower Turbo units, fitted with BMW's EfficientDynamics eco-tech to ensure they are capable of meeting stringent EU6 emissions regulations without sacrificing performance. There are four models and three of them are all-wheel drive variants badged xDrive, but the entry-level X3 is the rear-wheel drive sDrive18d SE. There's either a six-speed manual gearbox or eight-speed automatic with optional paddle shifts (the auto is standard fit on the six-cylinder models).
The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine is found in the 18d and 20d models. It has been marginally powered up in both over pre-facelift models, so as the former it makes 150hp and 360Nm, returns 56.5mpg in manual format with CO2 emissions of 131g/km, and can do 0-100km/h in 9.5 seconds with a top speed of 195km/h. The 20d has 190hp, 400Nm, 0-100km/h capability of 8.1 seconds with either gearbox fitted, and a 211km/h maximum, with 52.3mpg and 143g/km CO2. However, both cars can be fitted with 17-inch aero wheels running on fourth-generation low rolling resistance tyres; with these, the 18d's efficiency figures improve to 60.1mpg and 124g/km CO2, said to be class-leading by BMW, while the 20d goes to the same as a standard 18d, namely 56.5mpg and 131g/km CO2.
The top two, auto-only models are powered by the 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel engine. The xDrive 30d has 258hp and 560Nm, yet is capable of 47.9mpg combined and CO2 of 156g/km. It'll do 232km/h flat out and can get to 100km/h from rest in 5.9 seconds. The xDrive 35d has a whopping 313hp and 630Nm, can do 0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds and 245km/h all in, and returns 47.1mpg and 157g/km CO2.
Anything else?
There are three distinct trims available, the new badging being the mid-range xLine. Pre-facelift SE cars already came with Nevada leather, air conditioning, cruise control, Park Distance Control all round, 17-inch alloys and plenty more toys, but now you'll also get BMW Business navigation, heated front seats and an automatic tailgate as standard. For a premium you can opt for SE Plus, which chucks in Harman Kardon speakers, sun protection glass, Adaptive (steering) Headlights with high-beam assistant and 18-inch rims too.
The new xLine models are about €2,400 more than standard SEs (depending on engine) and can be spotted from outside by metallic bumper inserts, Satin Aluminium side cladding and bars in the air intakes, 'simulated' under-guards at the front and rear and exclusive 18-inch wheels. Inside is xLine leather, Dark Copper trim and a Sport leather steering wheel.
The M Sport is about €2,400 extra again on the xLine. You get 19-inch light alloy wheels, compared to the 18s of the pre-facelift X3 M Sports, an M Sport body kit and high-gloss Shadowline exterior trim. It's sporty inside too, with anthracite roof lining, Sport seats, an M Sport leather steering wheel and aluminium hexagon trim. It's also fitted with Performance Control and M Sport suspension. Above this is M Sport Plus, which gives you massive 20-inch two-tone wheels, Xenon headlights, sun protection glass and the Harman Kardon speaker upgrade.