2015 BMW X3 unveiled at Geneva Motor Show

BMW has unveiled the 2015 X3 SUV at the Geneva Motor Show. The German automaker’s Sports Activity Vehicle, as BMW likes to call it, gets a host of cosmetic updates overall. It will now also be offered with a new 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine in addition to the current crop of petrol and diesel engines. 

The 2015 BMW X3,  in the front, gets a new bumper, revised grille as well as a restyled set of headlights; however the overall design remains the same so the car retains a familiar shape. Other external changes include new colour options, restyled mirrors as well as alloy wheels. There is a new xLine package which offers underbody guards, metallic trim options and special 18-inch or 19-inch alloy wheels. In addition to the xLine package, there is also the usual M Sport package which offers a special body kit, sports seats, 20-inch alloy wheels and a sports tuned suspension. 

Inside,  the 2015 MY X3 gets revised upholstery options as well as trim options which now include gloss black accents. The iDrive system has been updated and is now offered with an integrated touchpad. In the pursuit of convenience, BMW is also offering a ‘Smart Opener’ system which allows the tail gate to be opened by placing one’s foot under the rear bumper.

In international markets like the Middle East and North America the X3 is offered with a set of petrol engines but in most others (like us) the X3 is only sold with the oil burners. The latter includes a new all-aluminium 2.0-litre turbocharged unit which is available in two variants xDrive18d and xDrive20d which have outputs of 150bhp/360Nm and 190bhp and 400Nm of torque respectively. The xDrive18d is also offered with low rolling resistance tyres and RWD (sDrive18d) in a bid to make it cheaper and fuel efficient.  

The more powerful versions are the xDrive30d and xDrive35d which both make use of a turbocharged 3.0-litre unit that produces 258bhp/560Nm and 313/630Nm respectively. The 2.0-litre units can be had with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed AT while the 3.0-litre units only get the eight-speed AT. We in India will get the 2.0-litre units in both variants and the 3.0-litre unit in the xDrive30d variant. 

The 2015 MY BMW X3 is likely to hit our shores later this year and will be priced similar to the locally assembled current model on sale.