BMW Australia has announced pricing for its new X3 mid-size luxury SUV, with pricing kicking off from $68,900 plus on-road costs. The new BMW X3 will be available from showrooms in November, and is expected to bring sales drive for the German brand.
That figure is $5,000 more than the model it replaces, a figure that’s because of less models to choose from for the time being and more standard equipment across the range, compared with the current generation X3. BMW says that more X3 models are in the pipeline however, with a 265kW/500Nm M40i and possibly a 20i variant. The new X3 closely follows the new Audi Q5, and will also compete with the Mercedes-Benz GLC and new Volvo XC60.
“This third-generation BMW X3 sets a new bar in the medium SAV segment,” said BMW Group Australia CEO, Marc Werner.
“With an intelligent lightweight design, leading-edge infotainment systems and a spacious, family-friendly cabin environment, we expect the BMW X3 to be at the forefront of our brand for many years.”
The entry point to the 2018 BMW X3 range is the xDrive20d, which is powered by a 140kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine, matched to BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system. Claimed performance is a 0-100km/h sprint in 8.0 seconds, with combined fuel consumption listed as 5.7L/100km and CO2 emissions of 149g/km.
Standard equipment highlights for the X3 xDrive20d include BMW’s ‘xLine’ exterior package with matte aluminium design elements such as the roof rails, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera, a 6.5-inch infotainment screen with BMW’s iDrive Navigation System Business infotainment system with real-time traffic updates, BMW’s Driving Assistant with lane departure warning, wireless phone charging, a full-colour heads-up display, cloth/leather seat trim with electrically adjustable front seats and electric-folding mirrors.
Sitting above the xDrive20d is the xDrive30i, which trades diesel power for the familiar 180kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, with a 6.3 0-100km/h sprint time, fuel use of 7.6L/100km and CO2 emissions of 174g/km. The X3 xDrive30i is priced from $75,900 plus on-road costs.
Additional equipment for the xDrive30i includes 20-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, adaptive LED headlights with automatic high-beam, keyless entry and start, paddle shifters, a 360-degree parking camera, Navigation System Professional with a 10.0-inch touchscreen and Driving Assistant Plus.
Sitting atop the local X3 range for now is the xDrive30d, which is specified like the xDrive30i but has diesel power returned to it. In this case, the engine used is a 195kW/620Nm 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo diesel. It completes the 0-100km/h sprint in just 5.8 seconds, uses just 6.0L/100km and emits 159g/km of CO2. The X3 xDrive30d is priced from $83,900 plus on-road costs.
Being a BMW, there are option packages available for owners to customise their X3 to further meet their needs.
The popular M Sport Package ($4,550 on the xDrive20d, $3,800 on 30i and 30d) adds various M Sport-badged elements such as a bodykit, steering wheel, sports suspension, brakes, 19-inch (20d) or 20-inch (30i and 30d) alloy wheels, as well as dynamic damper control, LED front foglamps and high-gloss black ‘Shadow Line’ exterior highlights.
The $2,500 Innovations Package (20d-only) includes keyless entry and start, Parking Assistance Plus, a 12-inch instrument display and adaptive LED headlights – many features already standard on the 30i and 20d.
The Exclusive Package ($3,800 on all variants) adds ambient interior lighting, a faux-leather dashboard, woodgrain interior trim, lumbar adjustment and heating for the front seats and an upgraded sound system.
The final package is the Rear Comfort Package ($1,820 on all variants), which adds roller blinds for the rear doors, front and rear seat heating and rear seat backrest adjustment.
The 2018 BMW X3 lands in Australian showrooms in November, with local pricing and specifications of the other X3 variants to be confirmed closer to their release in 2018.
2018 BMW X3 pricing (plus on-road costs):
xDrive20d – $68,900
xDrive30i – $75,900
xDrive30d – $83,900
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