Tuesday 26th April 2016

BMW X3 M spy shots

School run takes a turn for the competitive with apparent sighting of M'd up X3

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We'll start this article with the usual disclaimer that, love 'em or loath 'em, mid-sized SUVs and crossovers are where the premium brands are making cash money at the moment. And given the fact Porsche can't seemingly make Macans quickly enough to satisfy demand, Jaguar has entered the segment in some style with the F-Pace and Mercedes has unleashed a confusing array of crossovers and 'coupe' derivatives it's little surprise to see BMW giving the X3 more teeth.

OK, so this is a disguised prototype and all. But our spy snappers say they took the pics at M's HQ in Garching and, from the 20-inch wheels to the fat exhausts, it doesn't require too much speculation to conclude some sort of M branded X3 is in development. Further details will, for now, have to remain realms of guesswork. Hopefully of the informed kind!

We'll work on the assumption/hope the M3/M4 twin-turbo 3.0-litre S55 straight-six is reserved for 'proper' M cars and that, like its X5 and X6 equivalents, the X3 M will maintain a tactful separation from the senior product. Most likely powerplant would therefore be the M2's 370hp version of the single turbo N55 motor, this offering sufficient pace to compare with the 360hp Macan GTS and 380hp Jaguar F-Pace S. 0-62mph in the mid to low fives would be enough to keep pace, the fact the 300hp X3 xDrive35i is already on that kind of pace suggesting an M version would have plenty in reserve. Confusing matters a little is the fact there's already an M Performance version of the related X4, badged the M40i and packing 360hp. Like the X3 35i it isn't sold in Europe though.

Indeed, in the UK the X3 is a diesel-only line-up at the moment. So plan B could be to make the M version a diesel to compete with the Audi SQ5. The X3 xDrive35d that currently tops the range here has 313hp, 465lb ft and, again, a mid fives 0-62 time. Alpina does a 350hp version that we drove a couple of years back and apparently has proved popular, meaning it's not impossible BMW could opt for that route if it feels the market is there. Petrol or diesel, expect it to drive through the seemingly ubiquitous eight-speed auto used by nearly all its direct rivals.

More when we have it.

[Photos: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien]

[cerb4.5lee]

I do find this sort of car strangely appealing...much like my old X5 4.8is in that it was pretty pointless and the engine was wasted in that type of car yet it still didn't stop me loving it.

For the same reason I love the X5M and X6M whereas most can't stand them.