BMW Opens Order Books For Sportier X3 M40i xDrive

• BMW X3 M40i will be the range-topping variant as of now. 

• Its bookings are open for a token amount of Rs 5 lakh. 

• The X3 is also offered in xDrive20d xLine and xDrive20d MSport variants. 

• X3 M40i is powered by a 360PS 3-litre turbo-petrol engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

• The M40i variant will be brought in limited numbers, likely as a completely built-up unit (CBU). 

• Launch in May; should be priced at around Rs 89 lakh (ex-showroom). 

The BMW X3 SUV will soon get a new petrol-powered, sporty variant with M-specific additions. Called the X3 M40i xDrive, the new variant is available to order at the carmaker’s website and dealerships from today, April 19, 2023, onwards, for a token amount of Rs 5 lakh. The X3 M40i will slot above the existing xDrive20d xLine and xDrive20d MSport trim levels.

While it isn’t a full-blown performance SUV, the X3 M40i still has enough poke from its turbo-petrol, inline-six cylinder engine. Overseas, the X3 M variant is offered with the same engine making more power. It also gets some other M-specific tweaks, many of which are shared with the M40i variant as described in the next section.  

Sportiest X3 variant 

The standard, diesel-powered X3 is no slouch with its 190PS engine and 0-100kmph time of 7.9 seconds. But the X3 M40i variant simply blows it out of the water with its 3-litre inline-six cylinder, turbo-petrol engine that makes 360PS and 500Nm, enough to get the SUV from nought to 100kmph in 4.9 seconds. It comes paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and xDrive all-wheel drive system (AWD). 

This is the same power unit as the sportiest 3 Series available in India, the M340i, but the sedan gets 14PS more power and manages a slightly better 0-100kmph time than the X3 M40i SUV.   

On the outside, the X3 gets subtle changes over the standard SUV, such as blacked-out trim elements (grille, splitter and rear-view mirrors), M-branded 20-inch alloy wheels and red brake callipers. There are plenty of functional modifications, too, including an adaptive M Suspension, M Sport differential and M-specific brakes for a more involving driving experience. 

For the full host of changes, check out our story below: 

• BMW X3 M40i Bookings To Open On April 19: Design, Features, Powertrain, Expected Price And Rivals

Launch and expected price 

With the bookings now open, it’s only a matter of time before BMW reveals its prices in May 2023. The ongoing bookings are for a small batch of SUVs that’ll likely be brought in as completely built-up units (CBUs). The M40i variant should command a sizable premium over the standard SUV (that retails from Rs 67.5 lakh) and should be priced at around Rs 89 lakh (ex-showroom). 

• BMW X3 Gets Two New 2 Diesel Variants: xDrive20d xLine & xDrive20d M Sport

• Most Powerful BMW XM Label Red Debuts With 748PS And 1,000Nm

• 5 Cool Facts About New i7 M70 xDrive Electric Sports Sedan, The Most Powerful BMW EV

The sportier X3 will face off against rivals such as the  Porsche Macan and Mercedes-AMG GLC.