Production of the new fourth-generation BMW X3 SUV, internally dubbed the G45, recently began at BMW SA’s Rosslyn plant near Pretoria in a R4.2bn investment.
More than 400,000 units of the third-generation X3 were produced in Rosslyn and the plant has the capacity to build 77,000 cars a year.
About 97% of the production is for export with the bulk going to the US and Germany, and South Africa is the only country building the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model.
The petrol-electric PHEV is one of three X3 variants being sold in South Africa alongside the 20d diesel and the M50 petrol, and I got to drive them at the media launch of the new range in South Africa earlier this week. All put their power down via an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission and xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive.
Later this year, BMW plans to launch an adventure-focused X3 Rugged special edition model with all terrain tyres, body protection film, and a possible ride height increase.
The drive between Johannesburg and the North West didn’t include off-roading but the X3’s standard 216mm ground clearance and xDrive all-wheel drive system helped mitigate the sodden road conditions in heavy rain and limited visibility.
The all-wheel drive traction and water-dispersing ability of the tyres were properly tested on the flooded roads, but the midsized SUV never stepped out of line or aquaplaned in the slippery conditions.
When conditions dried a little and I punched the throttle, the 30e PHEV accelerated with pleasant gusto. With combined outputs of 220kW and 450Nm from a 2.0l petrol engine and an electric motor, the hybrid X3 covers the 0-100km/h sprint in a claimed 6.2 seconds and reaches a 215km/h top speed.
It is also able to operate in pure electric mode for up to 90km, and takes about two hours to charge on a public AC charger and about eight hours at a wall socket. There is a small amount of battery power regeneration from driving but the car needs to be plugged in to get fully charged.
Driving on a mixture of petrol and electric power on mostly open roads, the PHEV test car returned a respectably economical 8.1l/ 100km. BMW claims a 1.1l/100km fuel consumption for the hybrid X3 but this will vary depending on how the car is driven, and if your daily commute falls below 90km it could mean zero fuel bills.
BMW has dropped the previous 30d from the line-up as the 30e hybrid takes its place. The only diesel in the range is the 20d which produces 145kW and 400Nm from a 2.0l turbo engine with a mild-hybrid 48-volt system.
With a 0-100km/h sprint of 7.7 seconds it’s not as lively as the PHEV, though it boasts the same 215km/h top speed.
The flagship X3 M50 xDrive musters a powerful 293kW and 580Nm from a turbocharged 3.0 six-cylinder petrol engine and a mild-hybrid 48-volt system. It is identified by a horizontal kidney grille instead of the controversial diagonal design of the other models, and a quartet of tailpipes.
The 0-100 figure is claimed at a hot hatch-like 4.6 seconds and top speed is governed to 250km/h. I had little trouble believing those figures when I took the wheel of this sports SUV and felt its potent thrust. The M50 gathers pace with entertaining vigour and a boisterous holler from the straight-six engine. The test car’s 9.6l/100km was unexpectedly frugal given the exuberant way it was often driven.
The model that will account for the bulk of X3 sales is the 20d. While this entry-level diesel lacks the excitement of the six-cylinder M50, it whisks along in near-silence with effortless cruising pace and great economy. The test car averaged below 7l/ 100km on the open road.
Whichever model is chosen, it is a high-quality driving experience with BMW’s typical driving dynamics. It is a plush and relaxed ride with the suspension and steering set to their comfort modes. Things sharpen up noticeably in sport mode, with the suspension stiffening up and the steering feeling a little heavier.
The body is lighter but more rigid than the old model, providing an increase in agility and ride comfort.
As per EU regulation, the lane-keeping assist is on by default every time you switch on the car and you have to dig into a digital menu to disable it. It is one of the least obtrusive systems of its kind, however, and gently nudges the steering instead of violently wrenching it as in some cars.
Wheel sizes range from 19-inch to 21-inch, with runflat tyres offered on the smallest rim.
The cabin is designed with BMW’s New-Age flair, with ambient lighting and an unusual cloth-textured dash made from recycled polyester. The vegan interior comes standard with faux leather but you can spec real cowhide as an option.
The heavily digitised cabin features a panoramic 14.9-inch Curved Display touchscreen stretching across the dash, but physical controls remain with the time-honoured iDrive knob and buttons on the steering wheel. I found the new climate-control system a little finicky with its blend of haptic sliders and digital controls.
A more generous standard specification sees electric sports seats as standard in all models, while an optional BMW Digital Premium subscription service offers map enhancements and third party apps for about R150 a month.
BMW had 42.8% of South Africa's premium car segment in 2024 with the X3 as its best-selling model range. With a higher level of standard features and a minimal price increase over the old model, the fourth-gen X3 looks set to continue the success story for the German brand.
Prices:
- BMW X3 20d xDrive — R1,136,417
- BMW X3 30e xDrive — R1,260,000
- BMW X3 M50 xDrive — R1,545,447
Prices include a two-year/unlimited distance warranty and five-year/100,000km maintenance plan
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