Made in SA: The new BMW X3 now on sale in South Africa

Midrand – Sportier, more modern and more digital. BMW has refreshed its successful Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) with a new look, improved equipment and a range structure which has been optimised for customers. The redesigned front end and revised rear section lend even clearer emphasis to the robust off-road look and sporty appearance of the third-generation BMW X3. The refresh is rounded off with a modern interior with new equipment features and updated infotainment.

Modern, clearer product structure.

A new range structure ensures a greater focus on sportiness and “X-ness” as well as enhanced clarity through deliberate reduction. The M sports package and the familiar M variants are available as an alternative to the standard equipment enriched with high-quality X elements.

BMW X3 with classic X elements and sporty genes.

The new BMW X3 has a more modern appearance that conveys a more powerful presence, with design changes to the front and rear and an emphasis on classic X‑elements. The BMW kidney grille and headlights have been redesigned along with the front apron and rear bumper, while new graphics have been applied to the rear lights. High-quality X elements such as underbody protection and specific side skirts in the style of the previous X Line are already standard. The sporty genes of the Sports Activity Vehicle are underlined by the M sports package and the BMW X3 M40i.

New BMW kidney grille and flatter headlights.

With the redesigned BMW kidney grille, headlights that are around ten millimetres flatter and the new front apron, the BMW X3 looks almost like a new vehicle. More strikingly shaped, especially in the upper area, the BMW kidney grille is larger than before and now comprises a single-piece frame. A black bar in which the iCam is positioned if fitted ensures visual separation of the grille. The front headlights feature adaptive LED headlights with Matrix function, where the adverse weather light takes on the function of the previously separate fog lights. The BMW Laser Light with a range of up to 650 metres is now also available as an optional extra.

Front apron and rear apron redesigned.

Below the headlights, vertical air intakes arranged in a triangular interpretation frame the front bumper. In the new front apron, taut and amply-sized surfaces in body colour and the robust underbody protection reinforce the presence and high-quality aura of the SAV. The rear section of the new BMW X3 offers greater clarity as a result of various measures. A black border gives the full LED rear lights a more precise appearance, while the narrower light graphic now includes a three-dimensionally modelled pincer contour and horizontal turn signals integrated in filigree style. The emphasis on horizontal lines, for example in the concave area at the lower end of the tailgate, contributes to the tidy impression of the rear. The newly designed and elaborately painted underbody protection provides a powerful finish to the road. The new, flush-fitting free-form tailpipe trims are larger and sportier, conveying a more powerful presence.

M sports package with specific exterior details.

The M sports package gives the BMW X3 a sportier orientation. The specific front apron features significantly larger air inlets and inserts finished in high-gloss black, as well as more pronounced air curtains. The window graphics, roof rails and BMW kidney frame and bars are optionally available in high-gloss black. The sportier rear bumper includes a more striking diffuser finished in Dark Shadow along with two additional side air‑curtain‑panels in high-gloss black. The standard trim includes the new 20-inch Double‑Spoke 699 M alloy wheel in Midnight Grey Bicolor with 245/50 R20 tyres, as well as the M sports brake with blue or red brake calipers.

Further M insignia in the M Performance cars.

Further visual differentiation is offered by the BMW X3 M40i, that shows its affiliation to the BMW M GmbH portfolio with a specific BMW M kidney. In addition to a chrome frame, it bears the typical M double grille bars in high-gloss black and with an M logo. While the same aprons as in the M sports package are to be found at the front and rear, the aerodynamically optimised M exterior mirrors in high-gloss black, the free-form tailpipe trims in black chrome and the striking “Two Teeth” design ensure a distinctive look. The BMW X3 M40i is fitted as standard with the exclusive 21-inch M light alloy wheels double spoke 718M in Jet Black burnished.

Eight paint finishes for the BMW X3.

Following the redesign of the BMW X3, BMW offers a total of eight paint finishes in the regular range. The metallic paint finish Skyscraper Grey is new, and as is M Brooklyn Grey metallic from the M sports package upwards. The range of special finishes available is to be further expanded in the future.

Significantly revised interior.

The new BMW X3 adopts the centre console of the current BMW 4 Series. The free-standing, central Control Display with touch function now offers a screen diagonal of 12.3 inches as standard in all vehicles. A 12.3-inch version of the touch display is also available as an option. The significantly improved standard equipment now also includes sports seats with covers from a new Sensatec generation in the new Ray grain and with perforated main seat surfaces, as well as automatic climate control with 3-zone control.

To make the vehicle configuration process clearer and more straightforward for customers, not least reducing the number of conflicts, the complexity of the equipment lines and optional extras has deliberately been reduced by 30 per cent. In addition to the cupholder and a model-specific emblem, the centre console accommodates the newly designed control island with the gear selector lever, buttons for the start/stop system, the electric parking brake, hill descent control and various driving experience functions as well as the BMW Controller. The engine start button is positioned here, too. New electroplated trim elements on the air vents add a touch of elegance while emphasising the horizontal lines in the interior. Additional functions are offered by the optional extra Ambient Light, which features contour lighting above the decorative trim in the dashboard and ambient lighting that shines gently downwards below the accent trim to create a particularly high-quality, relaxing atmosphere in the interior.

Three diesel and two petrol engines on offer.

Five engine options will be available in South Africa for the new BMW X3. These include three diesel engines: with 110 kW in the BMW X3 sDrive18d, the 140-kW BMW X3 xDrive20d, and 195 kW in the BMW X3 xDrive30d.

The petrol engine models are the BMW X3 sDrive20i with 135 kW, and the BMW X3 M40i with 285 kW.

8-speed Steptronic transmission as standard.

All engine versions are combined with eight-speed Steptronic gearboxes specifically matched to the respective engine characteristics. The BMW X3 M40i features an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, including paddle shifts and Launch Control, as standard. BMW xDrive all-wheel drive makes a significant contribution to the versatile sporty flair of the BMW X3. Its precise electronic control ensures especially sporty power distribution that is typical of the brand. Its rear-wheel orientation makes dynamic cornering an especially intense experience. In addition, BMW xDrive optimises both driving stability and traction over rough terrain.

Driving Assistant Professional available for the first time.

In refreshing the BMW X3, BMW has reorganised and once again significantly expanded the range of modern driver assistance systems to enhance both comfort and safety. The Driving Assistant Professional, available for the first time as an option in this model series, offers the driver comfortable relief and increased safety in driving situations where there is a conscious desire for assistance. In addition to the Driving Assistant, which is also optional, functions include Active Cruise Control with improved functionality in the city, junction warning with additional city brake function, emergency lane assistant and improved steering/lane guidance assistant. The 3D environment visualisation Assisted View in the instrument cluster provides an overview of which Driving Assistant Professional assistance systems are activated and what functions they offer. Parking Assistant Plus now also includes the reverse assistant, which helps retrace a completed line in reverse. Another new feature in the BMW X3 is the optional BMW Drive Recorder, which takes videos around the vehicle.

BMW Live Cockpit Professional with 12.3-inch display as standard.

BMW Live Cockpit Professional offers a fully digital display network: the high-resolution instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and the Control Display each have a screen diagonal of 12.3 inches. With BMW Live Cockpit Professional as standard and intelligent networking including innovative digital services based on BMW Operating System 7, the BMW X3 now offers particularly close interaction between driver and vehicle. BMW Live Cockpit Professional includes the iDrive operating system with a Touch Controller. BMW Head-Up Display is standard on the M40i model.

New generation of navigation with BMW Maps.

One of the most important innovations in digital services is BMW Maps. The cloud-based system enables significant performance improvement, a high degree of accuracy and simplified destination entry. The new-generation navigation system offers extremely fast and dynamic route calculation based on precise real-time traffic data delivered at short intervals.

Smartphone connectivity and integration of third-party services.

BMW Live Cockpit Professional offers optimised, wireless smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay. Here, the driver can view all the important information from the apps on the Control Display and also – in intelligently processed form – in the instrument cluster and the optional BMW Head-Up Display.

With Android Auto™, the BMW Group has added another customer-relevant service to its range of seamless in-vehicle connectivity, offering easy and safe use of smartphone functions such as music, media or messaging apps while driving. Highlights of the interaction between Android Auto and BMW include convenient and wireless networking and the intelligent integration of Google MapsTM navigation instructions in the BMW Head-up Display.

Enhanced functionality for the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.

The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is also constantly gaining additional capabilities in the BMW X3, creating an even more intensive bond between driver and vehicle. With the digital companion, naturally spoken instructions can now be used to regulate the air conditioning, open and close the windows or change the driving experience switch modes, for instance. It can also access the new News app, which reads out the latest news to passengers, and learn routines that increase comfort and driving pleasure in certain situations.

Remote Software Upgrade updates “over-the-air”.

Since 2018 and the introduction of BMW Operating System 7, it has been possible for drivers of BMW models to keep their vehicle constantly up to date with the latest software status using Remote Software Upgrade. In the BMW X3, upgrades can include different content from new services to improved vehicle features and can be loaded "over‑the-air". Furthermore, intelligent networking offers the option to integrate additional functions into the vehicle at a later date. The options that can be retrofitted digitally include the high beam assistant and BMW Drive Recorder.

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