Keeping things fresh in the BMW crossover camp, the German automaker is introducing a new engine for its X3 compact and a new M Sport package for the midsize X5.
For the X3, BMW will bestow its new 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged four-cylinder engine to replace its base 3.0-liter inline-six. Its official name will still be the X3 xDrive28i, despite the fact that its engine size has changed (the number signifier in the name). But if you’re really complaining about such fripperies, you’ll be happy to know that at least it’s more powerful than the outgoing engine; expect a five-horsepower bump to 245. If the engine performs as well as it does in the 2012 BMW 3 Series sedan, expect about a 20-percent fuel economy improvement over the current base engine’s 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway.
The new engine will come paired exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the X3 will adopt the 3 Series’ selectable Comfort, Eco Pro, Sport, and Sport+ driving options that alter the character of the vehicle. Like the 3 Series as well, the updated X3 will also gain its sedan sibling’s updated ConnectedDrive and camera-based lane departure and collision warning systems as options.
On the X5 front, there’s a new X5 M Sport option that retunes the midsize crossover’s suspension for a sportier ride, and adds a body kit complete with more aerodynamic bumpers, 20-inch wheels, xenon headlights, steering wheel paddle shifters, a microfiber headliner, stainless steel pedals, and various options available from the BMW Individual customization catalog. BMW says to expect both the four-cylinder X3 and the X5 M Sport to start trickling into dealerships this spring.
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