The BMW X3 M has been spied testing on the streets of Mumbai which is likely to be launched later this year in India. It is important to note that the car may have been spied before the nation-wide lockdown was imposed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The X3 M is a sportier more powerful version of the standard X3 SUV sold in India.
According to the spied images, the car which was covered in a camouflage wrap reveals its key exterior differences as compared to the standard X3 and the M Performance model features a blacked-out front grille with a chrome finish on the bezel, M Performance bumper that is more angular with a larger air dam, large air intakes that flank the bumper on either side integrating the fog lamp unit, larger 20-inch alloy wheels as compared to the 19-inch alloys on the standard, aerodynamic ORVMs, M Performance gill on the side, quad-tip exhaust pipes, M Performance roof-integrated spoiler and an M Performance bumper on the rear.
The changes are not limited to the exteriors but the X3 M also gets its own unique interior features that differentiate the car from the regular model. The key differentiator is the M Performance steering wheel with M button, a sportier gear select lever, ‘M’ badging inside the cabin, dark cabin theme and M specific live cockpit.
In the engine department, the BMW X3 M is powered by a 3.0-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder petrol engine that produces 480 ps of power and 600 Nm of torque matched to an 8-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission with Drivelogic M xDrive active differential. In its standard avatar that is currently sold in India, the BMW X3 is powered by a 2.0-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder petrol engine that makes 255 ps of power and 350 Nm of torque matched to an 8-speed automatic Steptronic sport transmission with paddle shifters on the steering wheel. It is also offered with a 2.0-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder diesel engine that makes 192 ps of power and 400 Nm of torque coupled to an 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.
BMW also offers the X3 M Competition in the international market but as of now, the brand is likely to only introduce the X3 M version in India.
