BMW has announced the launch date of the new generation X3 in India. The company will launch the car on April 19, 2018. The BMW X3 has been one of the best-selling SUVs in the Bavarian automaker's portfolio. Launched originally in 2003, over 1.5 million new X3s have been sold in the last 14 years across two generations. In India, the BMW X3 has been a popular option for customers who wanted a Rs. 50 lakh BMW but wanted an SUV instead of the staple 3 Series.
Also Read: 2018 BMW X3 Launched In India. Check Out The Prices Here
The design of the BMW X3 is evolutionary and the company has made a host of changes to make it look smarter and even more aggressive. For starters, the headlamps and the grille have again been separated from each other unlike the design found in the likes of the X5 or the new 5 Series. The grille is now much larger as compared to older generation and new larger bumper gets bigger air intakes and a set of LED hexagonal fog lamps. The new X3 also features full LED headlamps and fog lamps along with a set of full LED 3D tail lamps. The new X3 also gets a larger standard wheel size - 18-inches with the top spec model getting a set of 21-inch wheels.
In terms of interior changes, the new cabin is in line with the new design philosophy that has been seen on other cars too. The new X3 does not have an inbuilt screen in the dashboard but one on the top instead with gesture control. The infotainment also features connectivity options like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The new X3 will also have optional gesture control for the infotainment system. The new X3 is also more spacious with a lot more space for both front and rear passengers and more boot space. The more interior space is a result of a 2.2-inch longer wheelbase on the new car. The new X3 will also get interior ambient lighting options along with a heads up display that has colour readout instead of the usual monochrome setup. The new X3 will also offer buyers the option of choosing acoustic glass to make SUV quieter and in turn more comfortable for passengers.
We expect the X3 to be made available only in the diesel trim for starters. The xDrive20d makes 188 bhp while the more powerful xDrive30d makes 262 bhp. All engines are paired with BMW's 8-speed 'Steptronic' transmission that has also been updated for the new car.
The BMW X3 in India will go up against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLC and the upcoming Audi Q5. It will also take on the likes of the upcoming Volvo XC60 and also the Land Rover Discovery Sportand Range Rover Evoque. Expect a mid-2018 launch for the new X3 in India with a price range of between Rs 50-60 lakh.
