As BMW’s six-year-old ‘G01’ X3 medium SUV comes to the end of its run, news and rumours of the next-gen model are picking up pace.
The current BMW X3, unveiled in June of 2017, has a special connection to Australia – its lead designer, Calvin Luk, is an Australian who joined BMW after completing design studies at the University of Technology Sydney and the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.
Born in 1985, Luk is one of BMW’s youngest designers – yet he is already known for his work on the second-gen ‘F48’ X1 SUV, the mid-life facelift of the second-gen ‘F20’ 1 Series hatch, and the Z4 concept that led to the current third-gen ‘G29’ Z4 roadster. A bit of a prodigy, then.
So, what can we expect from the 2024 BMW X3?
Back to the X3: In its current form, the X3 is an unusually varied offering, available here in petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, pure-electric, M Performance and hero M forms.
The upcoming new model is expected to continue that theme, depending on the region. Petrol and diesel options will feature again in 2.0-litre four-cylinder and 3.0-litre six-cylinder forms, as part of a promise to give buyers the options they need for as long as possible.
Even those models, however, will see some ‘mild hybrid’ tech added to make them as fuel-efficient as they can be for increasingly stringent emissions regulations, with a 48-volt system likely to feature.
Expect the usual focus on performance offerings at the top end of the ‘ICE’ (internal combustion engine) lines, with M40i and M40d models likely to be offered again. As for the X3 M… more on that, further down.
On the styling front, spy photos online suggest we can expect the new model to take styling cues mainly from the new X1, although the big XM will likely also inform some of the X3’s design themes.
Platforms: Something old, something new
The new generation will represent a significant transition point for the X3 line, with ICE and PHEV (plug-in hybrid) models to sit on an evolution of the current model’s CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform, while the second-gen iX3 electric SUV will switch to BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse platform.
Whether the models will wear identical body panels – apart from the usual EV features like the closed-off grille design worn by the current iX3 and i4 sedan – remains to be seen.
The X3 we’ve rendered for this story is our take on the regular petrol and diesel models, but it’s no stretch to imagine that the iX3 could simply add a new closed grille (see the i4 below) and new bumper designs, and delete the exhaust pipes.
Combustion models are likely to continue with an eight-speed torque converter automatic, although efficiency and refinement improvements should be expected.
The BMW i4 sedan, with its closed-off grille design
Next iX3: More power, more range, more more more
The new iX3 will likely be considered the jewel in BMW’s new X3 range, particularly in Europe where brands and buyers are being heavily incentivised to focus on EVs – and the coming ban on ICE models means the new iX3 will need to bring competitive technology and pricing both.
BMW has already confirmed its new ‘Gen6’ electric drive systems will feature a new battery design with far greater driving range than its current capability – which tops out at 505km for the 2023 iX xDrive50.
Speaking with British publication Autocar BMW’s head of Efficient Dynamics, Thomas Albrecht, said: “Gen6 batteries will give us 30 per cent or more range than our current Gen5, but we won’t go over 1000km of range, even though we can. We don’t think that such a long range is necessary.”
An upgrade to 800-volt electrics should also see charging made much faster, with a 250kW rate likely to get the new iX3 from 10 to 80 per cent of battery charge in around 25 minutes.
More on that at the link below.
Above: the current BMW iX3 electric SUV
The hero: X3 M, or… iX3 M?
That leaves the hero X3 M, which in its current iteration is powered by a 375kW/650Nm twin-turbo six. But, as recent reporting suggests, the next X3 M will go electric, meaning we might expect it to wear an iX3 M badge.
However, it remains to be seen if those reports are accurate. For now, the only all-electric M cars are the i4 M50 sedan and the iX M60. Neither is a ‘full’ M model, but with respective outputs of 400kW/795Nm and 455kW/1100Nm, they’re not exactly short on power.
An iX3 M50 would seem a sure thing, but we’ll have to wait and see if the new iX3 line will indeed introduce the first ‘full fat’ electric M model.
Above: the current BMW X3 M hero SUV.
2024 BMW X3: As always, bigger than before
In both cases, the new X3 will be larger than the current model, ensuring it continues to again sit well above the smaller X1 – which has also grown in size this generation, its 2692mm wheelbase stretching 22mm beyond the previous model’s footprint.
The current X3 boasts a 2864mm wheelbase – markedly longer than the second-gen X3’s 2610mm, but still shy of the new-gen 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLC’s 2888mm wheelbase. In this segment, every millimetre counts.
A bigger X3 will be all about rear legroom, which remains a key metric in the premium family-car arms race. Regardless, an even longer ‘L’ model will likely be offered in China, where a spacious second row is considered a mark of social standing.
A boost in cargo space will probably also be a factor, with the new-gen Mercedes GLC’s 620-litre boot comfortably outclassing the current X3’s 550-litre space.
Above: the new X1 is markedly larger than its predecessor.
When will the 2024 BMW X3 go on sale in Australia?
The 2024 model-year ought to be a clue, of course. Current expectations are that the new X3 will be unveiled either late in 2023 or early in 2024, which could see an Australian launch happen sometime in the middle of 2024.
That’s the ICE model, though. BMW has already confirmed its Neue Klasse models will not debut until 2025, meaning the next iX3 will come a year-or-so after the regular petrol and diesel X3 variants.
“Our Neue Klasse is coming in 2025 – for the launch we are planning a compact sedan in the 3 Series segment and a sporty SUV,” BMW boss Oliver Zipse has said on the matter.
Watch for more on the new X3 to come in the months ahead.
Below: the current BMW X3
Keyword: 2024 BMW X3 & iX3: Everything we know about BMW's next medium SUV