RE: BMW X3 M spy shots
Tuesday 26th April 2016
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!
BMW X3 M spy shots
School run takes a turn for the competitive with apparent sighting of M'd up X3
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]
Discussion
Gossip/ insider info on the Bimmerforums (which has been pretty accurate in the past few years regarding most things) is that this new G01 version is a full on X3M/X4M in the same way as the X5M/X6M is, so likely that it almost certainley will have the M3/M4 S55 fitted..... not a soot chucker 
and not the M2 N55 as the X4 M40i that was released late last year, is already fitted with that & rumoured does in fact have the same engine code as the M2......despite the different quoted power levels...?
Current F25 X3 is due to end production in mid summer 2017, so, hopefully with test mules that far advanced at ///M, this ///M version won't be too far behind for release.....maybe spring 2018 in the UK....??
I know BMW dealers are loosing sales to Porsche Macan because of the diesel only X3 line-up in the UK.....especially with the GTS version now out, so will do well with a proper X3M/X4M.
I quite fancy one myself
and not the M2 N55 as the X4 M40i that was released late last year, is already fitted with that & rumoured does in fact have the same engine code as the M2......despite the different quoted power levels...?Current F25 X3 is due to end production in mid summer 2017, so, hopefully with test mules that far advanced at ///M, this ///M version won't be too far behind for release.....maybe spring 2018 in the UK....??
I know BMW dealers are loosing sales to Porsche Macan because of the diesel only X3 line-up in the UK.....especially with the GTS version now out, so will do well with a proper X3M/X4M.
I quite fancy one myself
This really diminishes the M brand.
It just seems profligate to be building ever new and ever more powerful SUV's which have precisely no advantage over an estate car or MPV, yet they contain at least double the materials and take more effort to make. They are much more dangerous in a crash for other road users. Another self indulgent imported idea from the US. Car companies love them though because margins are higher.
The prime reason for purchase seems to be the feeling of being superior.
It just seems profligate to be building ever new and ever more powerful SUV's which have precisely no advantage over an estate car or MPV, yet they contain at least double the materials and take more effort to make. They are much more dangerous in a crash for other road users. Another self indulgent imported idea from the US. Car companies love them though because margins are higher.
The prime reason for purchase seems to be the feeling of being superior.
smilo996 said:
This really diminishes the M brand.
It just seems profligate to be building ever new and ever more powerful SUV's which have precisely no advantage over an estate car or MPV, yet they contain at least double the materials and take more effort to make. They are much more dangerous in a crash for other road users. Another self indulgent imported idea from the US. Car companies love them though because margins are higher.
The prime reason for purchase seems to be the feeling of being superior.
Your last sentence sums it up, small people, small willies etc. It just seems profligate to be building ever new and ever more powerful SUV's which have precisely no advantage over an estate car or MPV, yet they contain at least double the materials and take more effort to make. They are much more dangerous in a crash for other road users. Another self indulgent imported idea from the US. Car companies love them though because margins are higher.
The prime reason for purchase seems to be the feeling of being superior.
I'm not a fan of any of the SUVs out there be it BMW, Merc etc I guess there's a status element to them, plus people like to be high up and yet I don't see any benefits to them but that's just me. So I suppose to then see these fast variants being released I just think they get even more pointless.
I just think that if I want a fast car and sub-20mpg I want a car that will actually corner. I've no doubt tall cars are better than they ever were in terms of handling but you can't defy the laws of physics and that puts me right off.
I just think that if I want a fast car and sub-20mpg I want a car that will actually corner. I've no doubt tall cars are better than they ever were in terms of handling but you can't defy the laws of physics and that puts me right off.
smilo996 said:
This really diminishes the M brand.
Have to agree, in the same way divs with non M cars claim they drive an M3 with some styling pack. Sadly it seems they're all doing this, AMG are just as guilty! vz-r_dave said:
smilo996 said:
This really diminishes the M brand.
It just seems profligate to be building ever new and ever more powerful SUV's which have precisely no advantage over an estate car or MPV, yet they contain at least double the materials and take more effort to make. They are much more dangerous in a crash for other road users. Another self indulgent imported idea from the US. Car companies love them though because margins are higher.
The prime reason for purchase seems to be the feeling of being superior.
Your last sentence sums it up, small people, small willies etc. It just seems profligate to be building ever new and ever more powerful SUV's which have precisely no advantage over an estate car or MPV, yet they contain at least double the materials and take more effort to make. They are much more dangerous in a crash for other road users. Another self indulgent imported idea from the US. Car companies love them though because margins are higher.
The prime reason for purchase seems to be the feeling of being superior.
aeropilot said:
vz-r_dave said:
smilo996 said:
This really diminishes the M brand.
It just seems profligate to be building ever new and ever more powerful SUV's which have precisely no advantage over an estate car or MPV, yet they contain at least double the materials and take more effort to make. They are much more dangerous in a crash for other road users. Another self indulgent imported idea from the US. Car companies love them though because margins are higher.
The prime reason for purchase seems to be the feeling of being superior.
Your last sentence sums it up, small people, small willies etc. It just seems profligate to be building ever new and ever more powerful SUV's which have precisely no advantage over an estate car or MPV, yet they contain at least double the materials and take more effort to make. They are much more dangerous in a crash for other road users. Another self indulgent imported idea from the US. Car companies love them though because margins are higher.
The prime reason for purchase seems to be the feeling of being superior.
aeropilot said:
vz-r_dave said:
smilo996 said:
This really diminishes the M brand.
It just seems profligate to be building ever new and ever more powerful SUV's which have precisely no advantage over an estate car or MPV, yet they contain at least double the materials and take more effort to make. They are much more dangerous in a crash for other road users. Another self indulgent imported idea from the US. Car companies love them though because margins are higher.
The prime reason for purchase seems to be the feeling of being superior.
Your last sentence sums it up, small people, small willies etc. It just seems profligate to be building ever new and ever more powerful SUV's which have precisely no advantage over an estate car or MPV, yet they contain at least double the materials and take more effort to make. They are much more dangerous in a crash for other road users. Another self indulgent imported idea from the US. Car companies love them though because margins are higher.
The prime reason for purchase seems to be the feeling of being superior.
Some might find that small minded but I don't think I am the only one with that opinion. Yes the small people, small willies is childish but that's what first comes to mind.
I wouldn't say the same for a non M variant, they are not bad looking cars.
vz-r_dave said:
I honestly see no other reason why anyone would buy one other than to accommodate for some sort of complex.
Some might find that small minded but I don't think I am the only one with that opinion. Yes the small people, small willies is childish but that's what first comes to mind.
I wouldn't say the same for a non M variant, they are not bad looking cars.
There are lots of small minded people. Take no comfort in others feeling the same way.Some might find that small minded but I don't think I am the only one with that opinion. Yes the small people, small willies is childish but that's what first comes to mind.
I wouldn't say the same for a non M variant, they are not bad looking cars.
vz-r_dave said:
aeropilot said:
vz-r_dave said:
smilo996 said:
This really diminishes the M brand.
It just seems profligate to be building ever new and ever more powerful SUV's which have precisely no advantage over an estate car or MPV, yet they contain at least double the materials and take more effort to make. They are much more dangerous in a crash for other road users. Another self indulgent imported idea from the US. Car companies love them though because margins are higher.
The prime reason for purchase seems to be the feeling of being superior.
Your last sentence sums it up, small people, small willies etc. It just seems profligate to be building ever new and ever more powerful SUV's which have precisely no advantage over an estate car or MPV, yet they contain at least double the materials and take more effort to make. They are much more dangerous in a crash for other road users. Another self indulgent imported idea from the US. Car companies love them though because margins are higher.
The prime reason for purchase seems to be the feeling of being superior.
Have to agree, in the same way divs with non M cars claim they drive an M3 with some styling pack. Sadly it seems they're all doing this, AMG are just as guilty!
[/quote]
Lets not forget, BMW were doing M-Tech versions of the standard 3 Series as far back as the E30.
I personally don't have a problem with M Sport/AMG/S Line versions - lets be honest we can all tell the difference between a real M3 and a 318d M Sport.
As far as I'm concerned, each have a place in the market, and if the demand is there, why not?
GTEYE said:
Lets not forget, BMW were doing M-Tech versions of the standard 3 Series as far back as the E30.
I personally don't have a problem with M Sport/AMG/S Line versions - lets be honest we can all tell the difference between a real M3 and a 318d M Sport.
As far as I'm concerned, each have a place in the market, and if the demand is there, why not?
Quite. I also like the fact that the real things have a large crowd of lookalikes to blend in with.I personally don't have a problem with M Sport/AMG/S Line versions - lets be honest we can all tell the difference between a real M3 and a 318d M Sport.
As far as I'm concerned, each have a place in the market, and if the demand is there, why not?
aeropilot said:
vz-r_dave said:
aeropilot said:
vz-r_dave said:
smilo996 said:
This really diminishes the M brand.
It just seems profligate to be building ever new and ever more powerful SUV's which have precisely no advantage over an estate car or MPV, yet they contain at least double the materials and take more effort to make. They are much more dangerous in a crash for other road users. Another self indulgent imported idea from the US. Car companies love them though because margins are higher.
The prime reason for purchase seems to be the feeling of being superior.
Your last sentence sums it up, small people, small willies etc. It just seems profligate to be building ever new and ever more powerful SUV's which have precisely no advantage over an estate car or MPV, yet they contain at least double the materials and take more effort to make. They are much more dangerous in a crash for other road users. Another self indulgent imported idea from the US. Car companies love them though because margins are higher.
The prime reason for purchase seems to be the feeling of being superior.
I see it very simply - for all sorts of reasons, some people like a car that is higher up and with better ground clearance ( myself included - it suits my needs better).
Given that I therefore need an SUV of some kind, I see no reason why I cannot be offered the choice of having a fast SUV.
Given the choice between a slower, slugging SUV and a fast, better handling SUV, why the hell would I choose the slow one??
I honestly see no other reason why anyone would buy one other than to accommodate for some sort of complex.
toppstuff said:
aeropilot said:
vz-r_dave said:
aeropilot said:
vz-r_dave said:
smilo996 said:
This really diminishes the M brand.
It just seems profligate to be building ever new and ever more powerful SUV's which have precisely no advantage over an estate car or MPV, yet they contain at least double the materials and take more effort to make. They are much more dangerous in a crash for other road users. Another self indulgent imported idea from the US. Car companies love them though because margins are higher.
The prime reason for purchase seems to be the feeling of being superior.
Your last sentence sums it up, small people, small willies etc. It just seems profligate to be building ever new and ever more powerful SUV's which have precisely no advantage over an estate car or MPV, yet they contain at least double the materials and take more effort to make. They are much more dangerous in a crash for other road users. Another self indulgent imported idea from the US. Car companies love them though because margins are higher.
The prime reason for purchase seems to be the feeling of being superior.
I see it very simply - for all sorts of reasons, some people like a car that is higher up and with better ground clearance ( myself included - it suits my needs better).
Given that I therefore need an SUV of some kind, I see no reason why I cannot be offered the choice of having a fast SUV.
Given the choice between a slower, slugging SUV and a fast, better handling SUV, why the hell would I choose the slow one??
I honestly see no other reason why anyone would buy one other than to accommodate for some sort of complex.
theboss said:
Given such demand for 'high performance' variants I'm surprised I see hardly any x35d's out there - especially as they compete closely with the SQ5 which are evidently very popular indeed.
We've got one of the X35d's, and I haven't seen another one yet - my take on its comparison with the SQ5 is that the SQ5 is a lot more distinctive against its lesser brethren, whereas the X3 looks pretty much the same, no matter the engine fitted. Certainly the 35d we have looks no different to the 30d aside from the badges fitted to the front wings declaring the engine sizeKrisP said:
theboss said:
Given such demand for 'high performance' variants I'm surprised I see hardly any x35d's out there - especially as they compete closely with the SQ5 which are evidently very popular indeed.
We've got one of the X35d's, and I haven't seen another one yet - my take on its comparison with the SQ5 is that the SQ5 is a lot more distinctive against its lesser brethren, whereas the X3 looks pretty much the same, no matter the engine fitted. Certainly the 35d we have looks no different to the 30d aside from the badges fitted to the front wings declaring the engine sizeAccording to www.howmanyleft.co.uk there are approx 1,000 35d and 5,000 SQ5 (and barely a dozen XD3!)
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff