After three generations of the X3 and two of the X4, BMW decided it was time to add both SUVs to the M model family. BMW X3 M it's the BMW X4 M , to which the Competition versions are added.
According to Lars Beulke, product director at BMW M, the aim behind creating the BMW X3 M and X4 M was “to offer the driving experience of an M3 and an M4 but with the added guarantee of all-wheel drive and a slightly higher driving position”.
Created to compete with models like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio or the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63, the new X3 M and X4 M use a new engine that is “only” the most powerful inline six cylinder ever fitted to a BMW M model.
The numbers of the BMW X3 M and X4 M
With 3.0 l, six in-line cylinders and two turbos, the engine comes with two levels of power — the Competition versions come with more horsepower.
On the BMW X3 M and X4 M this debits 480 hp and offers 600 Nm . In the BMW X3 M Competition and X4 M Competition, the power goes up to 510 hp , with the torque value remaining at 600 Nm and equaling the number of horsepower of the arch-rivals GLC 63S and Stelvio Quadrifoglio.
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Thanks to these values, both the X3 M and the X4 M meet, according to BMW, 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2s, and in the case of the Competition versions this time drops to 4.1s.
As for the maximum speed, this is limited in the four models to 250 km/h, however, with the adoption of the M Driver's Package, the maximum speed rises to 280 km/h (285 km/h in the case of the Competition versions) .
Competition versions have 21'' wheels and 255/40 and 265/40 tires at the front and rear, respectively.
In terms of consumption and emissions, according to BMW, both the BMW X3 M and X4 M and the respective Competition versions have average consumption of 10.5 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 239 g/km.
The technique behind the BMW X3 M and X4 M
Combined with the new six-cylinder engine comes the M Steptronic eight-speed automatic transmission, with power transmitted to the ground through the M xDrive all-wheel drive system.
Competition versions have several high-gloss black notes.
Although a mode that sends 100% power to the rear wheels is not available, BMW claims that the M xDrive system sends more power to the rear wheels. The BMW X3 M, X4 M and Competition versions also feature the Active M Differential rear differential.
Equipping BMW sports SUVs we find an adaptive suspension with specific springs and shock absorbers (and three modes: Comfort, Sport and Sport+), and the M Servotronic steering with variable ratio.
The braking system is in charge of a system made up of 395 mm discs at the front, 370 mm at the rear. Finally, the stability control was also tweaked, becoming more permissive and even able to be turned off completely.
Both the BMW X4 M Competition and the X3 M Competition have an M Sport exhaust.
Visual also underwent changes
In visual terms, both the X3 M and X4 M now feature bumpers with wider air intakes, aerodynamic package, exclusive wheels, various M logos throughout the body, exclusive exhaust outlets, specific colors and fiber details of carbon.
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Inside, the main highlights are the sports seats, the specific instrument panel, the steering wheel and the M gear selector.
Competition versions come with the grille edge, mirrors and rear spoiler (only in the case of the X4 M Competition) painted in high-gloss black, and feature 21” wheels and an M Sport exhaust system.
Inside the Competition versions, highlight details such as version-specific logos, or exclusive seats (which may appear with applications in Alcantara).
For now, BMW has not announced the prices of its new sports SUVs or when they are expected to hit the market.