With the BMW X3 turning twenty this year, the compact luxury crossover is almost ready to receive a new iteration. The fourth-generation X3 will enter production in 2024, coming to the US as a 2025 model, so the German engineers are currently polishing the final details of the vehicle at the Nurburgring.
Back in the days of the original X3, this used a modified 3 Series chassis with an obvious road bias, even though BMW had Austrian specialist Magna Steyr, which currently makes the Z4 and the Supra, come up with an X3 CC for the Dakar Rally.
The 2025 BMW X3 ICE version will be followed by an iX3 EV
The crossover was tailored more towards comfort with each new generation, albeit with the outgoing model, which got its mid-cycle refresh in 2021 (2022MY) once again tipping the balance towards driving dynamics via the introduction of the first X3 M, which packs up to 503 hp in Competition trim. Another big first was the introduction of the iX3 back in 2020, albeit with the EV not being offered in North America.
While the combustion X3, codenamed G45, is scheduled to reach production in the second half of next year based on BMW’s CLAR platform, the second-generation iX3 will ride on the carmaker’s Neue Klasse architecture, which is dedicated to battery power. The Gen II iX3 is expected to be offered globally, albeit starting in 2025 or 2026.
While the G54 X3 will continue to be built at the Spartanburg plant in North Carolina, the Neue Klasse-based EV iteration should be assembled at a European plant—the Debrecen site in Hungary is the most likely candidate for iX3 production.
Tech details of the G45 BMW X3
As far as engines go, there will be 2.0-liter turbo-4 and 3.0L straight-6 units, both featuring standard mild-hybrid technology. Plug-in hybrids will also be offered and this technology should make its way into the next-gen X3 M.
The CLAR platform means the new X3 will once again offer both RWD and AWD (xDrive) versions, while a ZF automatic transmission will be the only one on offer.
Exterior and interior
When it comes to the exterior of the fourth-generation X3, BMW won’t stray from its current new-age design identity. And while the 2024 5 Series and i5 revealed earlier today show that may not mean what we expect it, we’ve already brought you spyshot-based renderings of the next X3.
For starters, the look of the new X3 will be a noticeable departure from that of the outgoing model. However, the vehicle will look more streamlined from all angles, including the sides, where we’ll find flush door handles.
In addition, the new model will borrow features like a wagon-like sloping roof and slimmer 3D-design taillights from the XM.
As previous spyshots have demonstrated, the 2025 X3 will follow recent models like the X1 in terms of bringing together the digital driver display and central infotainment unit under a single, large screen.
The cabin will be slightly more spacious, while the newcomer should inherit the new iDrive 9 infotainment system that debuted on the 7 Series.
In North America, the current X3 range kicks off at $46,200, with the other end of the spectrum seeing the X3 M starting at $74,400. And you can expect the generation change to commend a four-digit premium.
Electric iX4 coming?
Normally, an all-new generation of the related BMW X4 compact luxury crossover coupe would trail the new X3 by six months to a year. However, while there’s no official word on this, rumors suggest the CLAR-based X4 will be axed, with BMW only set to launch an iX4 electric crossover coupe around 2025.
In the meantime, the recent Nurburgring spy video below (lens tip to CarSpyMedia) lets you see the B58-powered X3 M40i prototype being pushed hard on the track.
