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2014 BMW Alpina XD3 Biturbo 
The Audi SQ5 may not have a direct competitor from BMW, but Alpina has unveiled the XD3 Biturbo - a tuning kit that seems to be a direct response to Audi’s model - at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The XD3 is based on the 3-liter straight-six-cylinder version of the X3 and, with significant updates made under the hood, it adds plenty of extra horsepower to the engine’s standard output. The engine is coupled to a new eight-speed automatic transmission and numerous other updates have also been made to the SUV’s chassis. Along with upgrading the engine’s characteristics, Alpina engineers also built an aerodynamic kit that includes a new front spoiler with integrated air intakes. On the rear, Alpina adds new elliptical double-ended tailpipes integrated into an Alpina-designed rear valance. Hit the jump to read more about the Alpina XD3 Biturbo and find out if it really does offer any competition to the SQ5. Full story US Market Will Get Six New BMW Diesel Models
Diesel models are quite a hit in Europe, but in the U.S. market, they have only just begun to gain momentum because people are still learning about them. Despite the relative novelty, it looks like BMW is preparing a diesel invasion in the U.S. market with no less than six new diesel models set to debut by 2014. Back in June 2012, it was reported that BMW was planning to offer a diesel 7-Series to its U.S. customers, but apparently this won’t be the only model. Next to it, we will also get a 3-Series sedan in the first half of 2013 and a station wagon in the second half. A 5-Series diesel will arrive in the third quarter of 2013 and the X5d at the end of 2013. The 7-Series will be the first diesel to arrive in the first half of 2014 and it will be followed by a X3d. In terms of powerplants, the 3-Series will likely use the new 130-horsepower, 3-cylinder diesel engine, while the rest of BMW’s diesel lineup will get a six-cylinder diesel engine.
2013 BMW X3
The biggest competitors for the BMW X3 are the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes GLK - and both of them have just entered the market in their facelifted versions. So as no surprise BMW has decided to do the same for the X3. And our spy photographers have caught the upcoming X3 facelift taken out for a test session. And as you can see from these spy shots, the changes will be limited to front and rear bumper, grille and head lights - the only items that are being camouflaged. The front bumper will get new air intakes and the grille will be more upright as on the current version. What we can not tell for sure is if the headlights will go all the way to the grille now, just like on the 3-series, but we will find that out pretty soon. The BMW X3 facelift will be making its official debut in March 2013 at the Geneva Motor Show.
Ultimate Factories: See How the BMW X3 is Built In 2007, the National Geographic Channel (NGC) showed us how the Z4 sports car was built, and now the Ultimate Factories team is back at BMW’s South Carolina Plant once again to show us how the X3 is made. The teams spent almost two weeks at the BMW factory in early June producing and filming the new program. The show will be aired on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on National Geographic Channel. "Once again, BMW was very pleased to welcome the National Geographic Channel into our plant. We are proud to show people all over the world the quality and craftsmanship of BMW X3, X5 and X6, built exclusively for over 130 markets around the globe," said Josef Kerscher, President, BMW Manufacturing. The BMW X3 has been built at the South Carolina plant since September 2010 and went on sale in the U.S. in early 2011. Hit the jump to watch the BMW Z4 feature at the Ultimate Factories. Full story
2013 BMW X3 M
Now that BMW is offering an M version for both the X5 and X6 SUVs, the same treatment will undoubtedly be applied to the smaller X3. There’s already been a strange looking X3 mule testing, but WildSpeed is clearing things up with their rendition of the future X3M model. The new X3 M will join the X5 M and the X6 M in terms of boosting power, but it will not be featuring the same twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 found in its bigger brothers. Instead, BMW has opted to use a tweaked version of the new straight six engine used for the standard M3. This engine will get a boost up to as much as 450 HP, from the standard 306 HP. It is very possible that the engine will use three turbochargers - one electric and two petrol - to get that power bump and will be mated to the usual 6-speed M Sports Automatic transmission. Like with all the other BMW M models, the new X3 M will be distinguished by larger wheel arches, a muscular front and rear end, and a more sporty ride. The interior will get sports seats, high-performance leather, and an M steering wheel. The new BMW X3 M will debut in 2012 and will be sold as a 2013 model. 2012 BMW X3 xDrive20i and BMW X3 xDrive35d
The BMW X3 is one of the most successful models in its segment and after being updated for the 2011 model year, BMW has decided to further expand the SUV for 2012 with the addition of two new models: the BMW X3 xDrive20i and the BMW X3 xDrive35d. The BMW X3 Drive20i uses a newly developed 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit that delivers a total of 184 HP at 4,800 rpm and a peak torque of 199 lbs-ft available at 1,250 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard with the option of an eight-speed automatic transmission. It is also combined with the Auto Start-Stop function, which automatically switches the engine off when the car is stationary. The BMW X3 xDrive35d uses a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 313 HP at 4,400 rpm and a peak torque of 464 lbs-ft available from as low as 1,500 to 2,500 rpm. This model comes equipped as standard with the eight-speed automatic transmission including Auto Start-Stop. Both models will be put on sale starting the autumn of 2011. 2011 BMW X3 by AC Schnitzer
BMW’s new X3 has been on sale since the Fall 2010 and, surprisingly, not many tuning firms have paid much attention to the SUV. BMW is typically a brand that sits right at the top of the list for many tuners, so owners of the X3 are probably scratching their heads wondering when it will be their turn to get in on the tuning action. Have no fear, AC Schnitzer is finally here and have brought along a package for the SUV that will prove that the wait was worthwhile. The German tuning firm’s first bout with the X3 shows a striking front spoiler, a new rear roof spoiler, AC Schnitzer protective film for the rear skirt, and a new set of 22" wheels offered in either BiColor or silver. The interior also gets jazzed up a bit with a new sports steering wheel, aluminum gear knobs in anodized silver/chrome or "Black Line"/chrome, a digital gear display option, and the "Black Line" aluminum cover for the BMW-specific i-Drive system controller. As for the engine, the full line is still being worked on, but the X3 xDrive20d benefits from an increased power output that takes it from 184 HP to 218 HP. The engines for the 2.8i and 3.5i models are currently under development. TopSpeed’s Best of 2010: SUV of the Year
Despite the fact that gas prices are still on the rise, the SUV market continues to grow, and 2010 brought in plenty of new models to further this growth process. Starting with the new generation Porsche Cayenne, the new BMW X3, and the long waited Land Rover Evoque, the laundry list of SUVs gave us just about every model we could possibly ask for, and some we wish they would have taken back. For the avid readers of TopSpeed, it’s no surprise that the Cayenne is on our list of top SUVs for the year. This vehicle was just as admired by us as it was with the dozens of tuners that tried their hand at remodeling it. The Evoque was also popular, but more so in the headlines with news stories of its release dominating the waves for a significant amount of time. The BMW X3 is no stranger to awards with a few already tacked on to its bumper from previous years. The newest model will be no different as its style and luxury has carried on through 2010. We had our top three picks, but it was time to choose the winner. We based our choice on exterior design, performance, and fuel economy, which is rather important in vehicles of this class. Would tradition reign supreme or will a brand new model spank the competition? Hit the jump to find out which SUV was our top pick for 2010. Full story 2011 - 2012 BMW X3BMW has unveiled the second generation X3 SUV in 2010 at the Paris Auto Show. The model has received a new exterior and interior, but also improved engines. And only after one year of production BMW has decided to add another two new models to the line-up: BMW X3 xDrive20i and the BMW X3 xDrive35d. The two new versions will be put on sale in the autumn of 2011. On the exterior the second generation X3 has received a forward-slanting BMW kidney grille, a large headlight assembly, a powerful-looking front apron, and a bonnet boasting six contour lines sweeping down to meet at the kidney grill. The new X3 will also feature chromed trims on the sides, powerfully flared wheel arches, and taillights with a distinctive T shape. The interior is defined by a generous and variable spatial concept, high-grade materials, and a characteristic three-dimensional surface design. Hit the jump to read more about the 2011-2012 BMW X3. Full story BMW releases online configurator for 2011 X3
Pay particular attention to online configurators and at some point, you’re bound to get so hooked to it that a week won’t be complete without you tinkering on your imaginary car. Unfortunately, such is the fate of those who most probably can’t afford the real thing and therefore settle for the time-consuming load that are online configurators. That being said, we still can’t get enough of ‘em so here it is, folks, the latest dress-up-your-imaginary-vehicle-and-pretend-it’s-your-new-2011 BMW X3. Coming in a variety of packages, the 2011 BMW X3 is going to take a lot of effort to build. There’s a choice of engines, interior leather options, a technology package, and even color options that should make the building of your virtual 2011 X3 a mind-numbing task. If that’s not enough work for you, you’re also going to have to choose the type of model you want, ranging from the base model X3 28i ($37,625) to the top-of-the-line xDrive 35i ($41,925). And if you’re feeling particularly rich on this day, you can max out every available package for a princely sum of $56,750. | BMW X3 latest reviews:Find us on Facebook | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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