What's this all about?
BMW has launched updated versions of the X3 and X4 SUVs (or SAVs - Sports Activity Vehicles - if you strictly follow BMW's in-house nomenclature) for the UK market. Prices start from £43,370 on-the-road for the X3 and £49,010 for coupe-like X4.
The big news, on the mechanical front at any rate, is that all of the X3 and X4's engines now come with at least a little bit of electric power. The diesel engines, carried over from the previous versions, already had 48-volt mild-hybrid systems, and now the petrol-engined models are getting the same electric assistance.
The mild-hybrid system can boost engine power by 11hp when you need a bit of extra acceleration, but more importantly it makes better use of the stop-start system when driving around town - allowing engine shut-off once your speed drops below 9mph and keeping it switched off for longer. There's also a high-speed 'gliding' system, which disconnects the engine from the gearbox when you're off the throttle, say on a long motorway descent, and which helps to save a little more fuel.
What engines are there?
If you want a diesel X3 or X4, then you can choose from a 190hp xDrive20d with four-wheel drive and CO2 emissions of between 149- and 172g/km, depending on the model; a 286hp xDrive30d four-wheel drive with CO2 from 161-183g/km; and a range-topping M40d with 340hp, 700Nm of torque and CO2 from 171-192g/km.
If it's petrol you want, there's an xDrive20i with 184hp and CO2 of 170-192gkm; the xDrive30i with 245hp and CO2 of 171-194g/km (both four-cylinder units); or a straight-six xDrive M40i with 360hp and CO2 of 198-216g/km.
As before, the plug-in hybrid xDrive30e has a combined system output of 292hp, CO2 of 45-59g/km and an electric-only range of 50km on a fully-charged 12kWh battery.
C'mon - what about the racy ones?
You could go for the upgraded X3 M Competition or X4 M Competition, both of which now get the latest inline-six 3.0-litre turbo engine from the M3 Competition and M4 Competition. While the peak power output of 510hp remains the same, the X models now have an extra 50Nm of torque compared to the outgoing versions, and that drops their 0-62mph sprint to a blistering 3.8 seconds - 0.3 seconds faster than before.
The xDrive four-wheel-drive system is specially set up for the X3 M and X4 M, apparently, allowing more power to go to the rear wheels, more of the time, and there's lower, stiffer adaptive suspension too. The X3 M Competition and X4 M competition cost £85,100 and £86,860, respectively.
Do the upgraded cars look different?
On the outside, both the regular and M models get new styling, with a slightly larger grille (made with mesh for the sportier versions) and new, slimmer and flatter headlights. Those headlights now get LED power, with BMW's Laser Lights as an option. There are new front and rear bumpers and an upgraded aerodynamic package, too. Buyers can choose from new colours, as well, the full palette including Alpine White, Black, Skyscraper Grey, Sophisto Grey Brilliant Effect, Mineral White, Phytonic Blue and Black Sapphire.
From the M Sports package upwards, the new M Brooklyn Grey metallic is available, and there are two new colours - Aventurine Red and Tanzanite Blue, plus a matte Frozen Deep Grey and, exclusively for the X4, Piedmont Red. Standard alloy wheels are 19-inch rims, with 20s and 21s as options, while the X3 M Competition and X4 M Competition get 21-inch wheels as standard.
What do I get for my money?
For the X3, standard UK specification includes 19-inch Y-spoke Ferric Grey wheels, high gloss black with pearl chrome interior trim, a sports leather steering wheel, reversing camera, aluminium roof rails, acoustic glass, front heated sport seats, ambient lighting, front and rear parking sensors, automatic air conditioning, adaptive LED headlights, high beam assistant, driving assistant, parking assistant, BMW emergency call and BMW teleservices.
M Sport adds 19-inch M Y-spoke Midnight Grey alloy wheels, high-gloss shadowline exterior trim and roof rails, aluminium 'rhombicle' with pearl chrome interior trim, M aerodynamic body styling, M Sport multi-function leather steering wheel, M Sport suspension, remote control including integrated key, performance control and variable sport steering.
Optional packs include the Comfort Pack (which comes with steering wheel heating, comfort access, seat backrest adjustment for rear seats and extended storage), the Comfort Plus Pack (with keyless comfort access, heated steering wheel, electric memory seats), the Technology Pack (including gesture control, head-up display and Harman Kardon surround system), the Technology Plus Pack (includes parking assistant, driver assistant professional, drive recorder, gesture control, head-up display and Harman Kardon surround system) and finally the Visibility Pack, which offers Laserlights. There are plenty more individual options available, too.
For the X4, standard UK spec includes 19-inch Y-spoke Ferric Grey wheels, 'sensatec' upholstery (or Vernesca leather upholstery for M Sport models), high gloss black with pearl chrome interior trim, sports leather steering wheel, performance control, variable sport steering, reversing camera, acoustic glass, front heated sport seats, ambient lighting, front and rear parking sensors, automatic air conditioning, adaptive LED headlights, high beam assistant, driving assistant, parking assistant, BMW emergency call and BMW teleservices.
M Sport adds 19-inch M Y-spoke Midnight Grey alloy wheels, anthracite headlining, high-gloss shadowline exterior trim, aluminium 'rhombicle' with pearl chrome interior trim, kidney grille in chrome with black high-gloss vertical slats, M aerodynamic body styling, M Sport multi-function leather steering wheel, M Sport suspension and remote control including integrated key.
M Pro Edition customers benefit from carbon fibre interior trim, front M Sport seats, M Sport brakes with red calipers, M carbon side mirror caps and BMW Individual Frozen Deep Grey paint.
Neil Briscoe - 12 Jun 2021