BMW is all set to launch the X3 M40i in India soon, with bookings to commence on April 19 and deliveries set to begin in May. The X3 M40i is a performance-oriented version of the X3 SUV and shares its powertrain with the BMW M340i.
- Bookings for BMW X3 M40i will commence on April 19
- Will rival the Porsche Macan S based on performance
BMW X3 M40i exterior and interior
Building on the standard X3, the X3 M40i features BMW M-specific kidney grilles with five twin-vertical slats. Overseas, it gets 19-inch M Sport alloy wheels as standard, but can be equipped with 20- or 21-inch alloys. The X3 M40i also features the M Sport front and rear bumpers.
The interior of the X3 M40i is not that different from the standard X3 equipped with the M Sport package apart from the X3 plaque in the centre console that's replaced by an M badge. It gets a large, free-floating 12.3-inch touchscreen, housed above the horizontal AC vents, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
BMW X3 M40i powertrain
Under the hood, the X3 M40i has the same powertrain as the M340i – a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine. However, in the X3 M40i, the engine produces 360hp, 14hp less than the M340i, although torque is the same at 500Nm. All this power is delivered to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. The X3 M40i can sprint from 0-100kph in a claimed 4.9 seconds, which is just 0.5 seconds slower than the M340i. The X3 M40i has limited top speed of 250kph.
The M340i has been a popular model for BMW and the brand is now transferring the same formula to the X3 model line. Like the former, the X3 M40i is also likely to get a 48V mild-hybrid system.
With respect to its performance, the X3 M40i could rival the Porsche Macan S, which gets a 2.9-litre, twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 380hp and 520Nm of torque. The Macan S is capable of doing the 0-100kph run in 4.7 seconds (claimed) and has a claimed top speed of 259kph.
BMW X3 M40i rivals
The standard X3 rivals the likes of the Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60, and, based on performance, the Porsche Macan S. The latter is priced at Rs 1.43 crore (ex-showroom), but we expect the BMW to be more affordable.
What do you expect to be the price for the BMW X3 M40i? Let us know in the comments.
Rivan RS 
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
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