BMW has opened bookings for the X3 M40i for a token amount of Rs 5 lakh. It is scheduled to launch in May and will be available in limited numbers. The X3 M40i is the performance-oriented version of the X3 and shares its powertrain with the BMW M340i sedan.
- BMW X3 M40i shares its powertrain with the M340i
- Will rival Porsche Macan S in terms of performance
BMW X3 M40i exterior
The X3 M40i comes with the M Sport package as standard and gets M-specific kidney grilles with five twin-vertical slats finished in black. It is also equipped with 20-inch M Sport alloy wheels, red brake calipers and exhaust pipes finished in dark chrome. The X3 M40i is available in Brooklyn Grey and Black Sapphire colours.
BMW X3 M40i interior and features
While the standard X3 has a choice of dual-tone interiors with beige or brown combined with black, the M40i only gets an all-black interior with carbon fibre-trim finishes. Like other trims of the X3, the M40i too gets a large 12.3-inch touchscreen that runs BMW’s iDrive 7 operating system. The M Sport treatment also extends inside as it gets the M-specific steering wheel, M-specific seat belts and an M badge in the centre console.
The X3 M40i features wireless charging, a 12-3-inch digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, triple-zone climate control and ambient lighting. It also comes with a Harmon Kardon sound system and a heads-up display.
BMW X3 M40i powertrain and platform
Under the hood, the X3 M40i gets the same powertrain as the M340i – a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine. It produces 360hp, which is 14hp less than the M340i, and 500Nm torque. Power is delivered to all four wheels via the 8-speed automatic gearbox. The X3 M40i can sprint from 0-100kph in 4.9 seconds (claimed) – 0.5 seconds slower than the M340i – and its top speed is limited to 250kph. Like the sedan, the X3 M40i also comes with a 48V mild-hybrid system.
The X3 M40i also gets various M Sport-specific performance bits such as variable sport steering, M Sport brakes, M Sport differential and the adaptive M suspension.
BMW X3 M40i rivals
With respect to its performance, the X3 M40i’s closest rival will be the Porsche Macan S, priced at Rs 1.43 crore. The latter features a 2.9-litre, twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 380hp and 520Nm of torque. The Macan S does the 0-100kph run in 4.7 seconds (claimed) and has a claimed top speed of 259kph. The standard X3 competes with the Audi Q5 (Rs 61.51 lakh-67.31 lakh) and Volvo XC60 (Rs 67.50 lakh).
*All prices (ex-showroom)
Will you go for the BMW X3 M40i or choose its sedan counterpart? Let us know in the comments.
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