Sportier, more modern and more digital. For the second phase of the model cycle, BMW has refreshed its successful Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) BMW and the Sports Activity Coupé (SAC) BMW with a new look, improved equipment and a range structure which has been optimised for customers. The redesigned front end and revised rear section lend even clearer emphasis to the robust off-road look and sporty appearance of the third-generation BMW X3. Its coupé counterpart, the second-generation BMW X4, adopts the new front end, adds its own accentuation with the exclusive BMW mesh kidney grille and offers a particularly dynamic rear end. The refresh is rounded off with a modern interior with new equipment features and updated infotainment. BMW M GmbH is also upgrading the M models of the BMW X3 and BMW X4 at the same time (see here).

Modern drive technology and a clearer product structure.

The introduction of mild hybrid technology with 48-‑volt‑starter generator now also with all petrol engines ensures a broad drive portfolio at the cutting edge of technology. These include the BMW X3 xDrive30e (combined fuel consumption, weighted: 2.6 – 2.0 l/100 km according to WLTP; combined power consumption, weighted: 20.5 – 18.9 kWh/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO₂ emissions, weighted: 59 – 45 g/km according to WLTP) and, at the top of the range, particularly high-performance petrol and diesel models from BMW M GmbH. In Germany, all BMW X3 and BMW X4 are fitted with the all-wheel drive system BMW xDrive as standard. A new range structure ensures a greater focus on sportiness and “X-ness” as well as enhanced clarity through deliberate reduction. The M sports package and the familiar M variants are available as an alternative to the standard equipment enriched with high-quality X elements. The market launch will get underway in summer 2021, following the start of production at the Spartanburg plant (USA) in August 2021. The new BMW X3 and the new BMW X4 are due to see their world premiere at the Chengdu Motor Show in China (27 August to 5 September), while the European premiere will take place at the IAA in Munich (7 to 12 September).

BMW X3 with classic X elements and sporty genes.

The new BMW X3 has a more modern appearance that conveys a more powerful presence, with design changes to the front and rear and an emphasis on classic X‑elements. The BMW kidney grille and headlights have been redesigned along with the front apron and rear bumper, while new graphics have been applied to the rear lights. High-quality X elements such as underbody protection and specific side skirts in the style of the previous X Line are already standard. The sporty genes of the Sports Activity Vehicle are underlined by the M sports package and the BMW X3 M40i (combined fuel consumption: 9.5 – 8.8 l/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO₂‑emissions: 216 – 199 g/km according to WLTP) and the BMW X3 M40d (combined fuel consumption: 7.3 – 6.6 l/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO₂‑emissions: 192 – 173 g/km according to WLTP).

New BMW kidney grille and flatter headlights.
With the redesigned BMW kidney grille, headlights that are around ten millimetres flatter and the new front apron, the BMW X3 looks almost like a new vehicle. More strikingly shaped, especially in the upper area, the BMW kidney grille is larger than before and now comprises a single-piece frame. A black bar in which the iCam is positioned if fitted ensures visual separation of the grille. The front headlights feature full LED technology as standard. In addition to the optional adaptive LED headlights with Matrix function, where the adverse weather light takes on the function of the previously separate fog lights, the BMW Laser Light with a range of up to 650 metres is now also available as an optional extra.

Front apron and rear apron redesigned.

Below the headlights, vertical air intakes arranged in a triangular interpretation frame the front bumper. In the new front apron, taut and amply-sized surfaces in body colour and the robust underbody protection reinforce the presence and high-quality aura of the SAV. The BMW X3 xDrive30e with plug-in hybrid drive also bears an “electrified by i” emblem on the front wing, while an additional blue ring adorns all BMW logos on this engine version, including those on the wheel hub covers. The rear section of the new BMW X3 offers greater clarity as a result of various measures. A black border gives the full LED rear lights a more precise appearance, while the narrower light graphic now includes a three-dimensionally modelled pincer contour and horizontal turn signals integrated in filigree style. The emphasis on horizontal lines, for example in the concave area at the lower end of the tailgate, contributes to the tidy impression of the rear. The newly designed and elaborately painted underbody protection provides a powerful finish to the road. The new, flush-fitting free-form tailpipe trims are larger and sportier, conveying a more powerful presence.

M sports package with specific exterior details.

The M sports package gives the BMW X3 a sportier orientation. The specific front apron features significantly larger air inlets and inserts finished in high-gloss black, as well as more pronounced air curtains. The window graphics, roof rails and BMW kidney frame and bars are optionally available in high-gloss black. The sportier rear bumper includes a more striking diffuser finished in Dark Shadow along with two additional side air‑curtain‑panels in high-gloss black. The standard trim includes the new 19-inch Y‑Spoke 887M alloy wheel in Midnight Grey Bicolor with 245/50 R19 tyres. Additional wheels in 20 inch and 21 inch are available as an option, as well as the M sports brake with blue or red brake calipers.

Further M insignia in the M Performance cars.

Further visual differentiation is offered by the BMW X3 M40i and the BMW X3 M40d, which show their affiliation to the BMW M GmbH portfolio with a specific BMW M kidney. In addition to a chrome frame, it bears the typical M double grille bars in high-gloss black and with an M logo. While the same aprons as in the M sports package are to be found at the front and rear, the aerodynamically optimised M exterior mirrors in high-gloss black, the free-form tailpipe trims in black chrome and the striking “Two Teeth” design ensure a distinctive look. The BMW X3 M40i and BMW X3 M40d are fitted as standard with 20‑inch M light alloy wheels double-spoke 699M in Orbit Grey with the mixed tyres 245/45 R20 at the front and 275/40 R20 at the rear. As an optional extra, these wheels are available in Jet Black, while other exclusive options include the 21-inch M light alloy wheels double spoke 718M in Jet Black burnished.

BMW mesh kidney grille as an exclusive distinguishing feature of the BMW X4.

The BMW X4 adopts the new front end of the BMW X3, but adds an exclusive distinguishing feature in the form of the mesh kidney familiar from other sporty BMW models. Compared to the BMW X3, the adaptive LED headlights with Matrix function are already standard, while the BMW Laser Light, which is particularly light-intensive and has a long range, is also available as an option for the BMW X4. Featuring flat full LED rear lights that emphasise the vehicle width and protrude strikingly from the vehicle body in their three-dimensional design, the rear section now has an even more clear-cut shape in the BMW X4 revision. The new rear apron has a tidier appearance, with an increased proportion of painted surface and reflectors now placed vertically and lower in the bumper. The wide free-form tailpipe trims echo the horizontal lines of the upper section.

M sports package with striking rear apron in the BMW X4.

From the M sports package onwards, the BMW X4 features the BMW mesh kidney, the frame and inserts of which are painted in high‑gloss black on request, as well as a new rear apron with a wide, offset insert in the shape of an anvil. Like the side air‑curtain‑panels, this is finished in high-gloss black and gives a powerful overall impression that is distinctly road-oriented. As with the BMW X3, the M sports package includes the new 19-inch alloy wheel Y‑-Spoke 887M in Midnight Grey Bicolor with 245/50 R19 tyres as standard. Additional 20-inch and 21-inch wheels and the M sports brake are available as options.

BMW M insignia for the BMW X4 M40i and BMW X4 M40d.

The BMW X4 M40i (combined fuel consumption: 9.5 – 8.7 l/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO₂‑emissions: 215 – 198 g/km according to WLTP) and the BMW X4 M40d (combined fuel consumption: 7.3 – 6.6 l/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO₂‑emissions: 190 – 171 g/km according to WLTP) are based on the appearance and standard equipment of the corresponding X3 models and, like these, bear typical BMW M insignia such as the specific BMW M kidney with chrome frame, double kidney bars in high‑gloss black and M logo as well as the aerodynamically optimised M exterior mirrors in high-gloss black. The rear apron with its anvil-shaped insert is complemented by air curtain trim in high-gloss black. Analogous to the BMW X3 M40i and BMW X3 M40d are the free-form tailpipe trims in black chrome with the two "teeth" and the tyres.

Eleven paint finishes for the BMW X3 and one exclusively for the BMW X4.

Following the redesign of the BMW X3, BMW offers a total of eleven paint finishes in the regular range. The metallic paint finish Skyscraper Grey (from 12/21) is new, and as is M Brooklyn Grey metallic from the M sports package upwards, along with the two BMW Individual paint finishes Aventurine Red and Tanzanite Blue. The new metallic finish Piedmont Red is available exclusively for the BMW X4. For the first time there is also a choice of numerous special BMW Individual paint finishes for the two models, including matt finishes such as Frozen Deep Grey. The range of special finishes available is to be further expanded in the future.

Significantly revised interior.

The new BMW X3 and the new BMW X4 adopt the centre console of the current BMW 4 Series. The free-standing, central Control Display with touch function now offers a screen diagonal of 10.25 inches as standard in all vehicles. A 12.3-inch version of the touch display is also available as an option. The significantly improved standard equipment now also includes sports seats with covers from a new Sensatec generation in the new Ray grain and with perforated main seat surfaces, as well as automatic climate control with 3-zone control. In order to make the vehicle configuration process clearer and more straightforward for customers, not least reducing the number of conflicts, the complexity of the equipment lines and optional extras has deliberately been reduced by 30 per cent. In addition to the cupholder and a model-specific emblem, the centre console accommodates the newly designed control island with the gear selector lever, buttons for the start/stop system, the electric parking brake, hill descent control and various driving experience functions as well as the BMW Controller. The engine start button is positioned here, too. New electroplated trim elements on the air vents add a touch of elegance while emphasising the horizontal lines in the interior. Additional functions are offered by the optional extra Ambient Light, which features contour lighting above the decorative trim in the dashboard and ambient lighting that shines gently downwards below the accent trim to create a particularly high-quality, relaxing atmosphere in the interior.

Hybrid technology for all engines.

The new BMW X3 and the new BMW X4 demonstrate increasing electrification with modern hybrid technology in connection with all seven drive systems available in Germany. In addition to the BMW X3 xDrive30e with plug-in hybrid drive, which has been in production since December 2019, all 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines in the two model series now use 48-volt mild hybrid technology. After the three available diesel engines were converted to the mild‑hybrid‑system in the course of 2020, the three petrol engines are now also being fitted with this technology including a 48‑-volt‑starter generator, ensuring even better driving performance with lower fuel consumption and increased driving comfort. The energy obtained by means of recuperation and stored in the 48-volt battery can also be used for an electric boost of 8 kW/11 hp in addition to supplying the 12‑volt on-board network.

Three diesel and three petrol engines on offer.

Seven drive options are available in Germany for the new BMW X3 and the new BMW X4, covering a power range from 135 kW/184 hp to 265 kW/360 hp. These include three diesel engines: with 140 kW/190 hp in the BMW X3 xDrive20d (fuel consumption combined: 6.5 – 5.8 l/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO₂‑emissions: 171 – 151 g/km according to WLTP) and the BMW X4 xDrive20d (combined fuel consumption: 6.5 – 5.7 l/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO₂‑emissions: 170 – 149 g/km according to WLTP), with 210 kW/286 hp in the BMW X3 xDrive30d (combined fuel consumption: 7.0 – 6.2 l/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO₂‑emissions: 183 – 162 g/km according to WLTP,) and the BMW X4 xDrive30d (combined fuel consumption: 7.0 – 6.1 l/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO₂‑emissions: 182 – 161 g/km according to WLTP) and with 250 kW/340 hp in the BMW X3 M40d and BMW X4 M40d.

The petrol engine models are the BMW X3 xDrive20i (combined fuel consumption: 8.4 – 7.6 l/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO₂‑emissions: 192 – 172 g/km according to WLTP) and the BMW X4 xDrive20i (combined fuel consumption: 8.4 – 7.5 l/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO₂‑emissions: 190 – 170 g/km according to WLTP) with 135 kW/184 hp, the BMW X3 xDrive30i (combine fuel consumption: 8.5 – 7.6 l/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO₂‑emissions: 194 – 173 g/km according to WLTP) and the BMW X4 xDrive30i (combined fuel consumption: 8.5 – 7.5 l/100 km according to WLTP; combined CO₂‑emissions: 192 – 171 g/km according to WLTP) with 180 kW/245 hp and the BMW X3 M40i and BMW X4 M40i with 265 kW/360 hp.

Plug-in hybrid with an electric range of up to 50 kilometres.

The BMW X3 xDrive30e plug-in hybrid model is reserved for the Sports Activity Vehicle. Its system consists of a 4-cylinder petrol engine combined with an electric motor whose power is transmitted to all four wheels. Their joint system output of 215 kW/292 hp can be increased by up to 30 kW/41 hp by temporary use of the electric motor’s peak output. It has a lithium-ion high-voltage battery that enables a range of up to 50 kilometres.

8-speed Steptronic transmission and BMW xDrive as standard.

All engine versions are combined with 8-speed Steptronic gearboxes specifically matched to the respective engine characteristics. The BMW X3 M40i, BMW X3 M40d and all BMW X4 models feature the otherwise optional 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission including paddle shifts and Launch Control as standard. BMW xDrive all-wheel drive makes a significant contribution to the versatile sporty flair of the BMW X3 and BMW X4. Its precise electronic control ensures especially sporty power distribution that is typical of the brand. Its rear-wheel orientation makes dynamic cornering in particular an especially intense experience. In addition, BMW xDrive optimises both driving stability and traction over rough terrain.

Driving Assistant Professional available for the first time.

In refreshing the BMW X3 and BMW X4, BMW has reorganised and once again significantly expanded the range of modern driver assistance systems to enhance both comfort and safety. The Driving Assistant Professional*, available for the first time as an option in these model series, offers the driver comfortable relief and increased safety in driving situations where there is a conscious desire for assistance. In addition to the Driving Assistant, which is also optional, functions include Active Cruise Control with improved functionality in the city, junction warning with additional city brake function, emergency lane assistant and improved steering/lane guidance assistant. The 3D environment visualisation Assisted View in the instrument cluster provides an overview of which Driving Assistant Professional assistance systems are activated and what functions they offer. Parking Assistant Plus now also includes the reverse assistant, which helps retrace a completed line in reverse. Another new feature in the BMW X3 and BMW X4 is the optional BMW Drive Recorder, which takes videos around the vehicle.

* available first for BMW X3/X4 M40i, M40d

BMW Live Cockpit Plus with 10.25-inch display as standard.

With BMW Live Cockpit Plus as standard and intelligent networking including innovative digital services based on BMW Operating System 7, the BMW X3 and BMW X4 now offer particularly close interaction between driver and vehicle. BMW Live Cockpit Plus includes the iDrive operating system with a Control Display which is now at least 10.25 inches in size and a Touch Controller, as well as an instrument cluster in Black Panel look with a 5.1-inch colour display at the centre. The BMW Live Cockpit Plus can be supplemented by the optional BMW Head-Up Display. As an optional extra, BMW Live Cockpit Professional offers a fully digital display network: the high-resolution instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and the Control Display each have a screen diagonal of 12.3 inches.

New generation of navigation with BMW Maps.

One of the most important innovations in the area of digital services is BMW Maps. The cloud-based system enables significant performance improvement, a high degree of accuracy and simplified destination entry. The new-generation navigation system offers extremely fast and dynamic route calculation based on precise real-time traffic data delivered at short intervals. In addition, BMW Maps with Connected Parking provides drivers with even more detailed support in the search for a vacant parking space near their destination.

Smartphone connectivity and integration of 3rd party services. 

BMW Live Cockpit Plus and BMW Live Cockpit Professional offer optimised. wireless smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay. Here, the driver can view all the important information from the apps on the Control Display and also – in intelligently processed form – in the instrument cluster and the optional BMW Head-Up Display.

With Android Auto™, the BMW Group has added another customer-relevant service to its range of seamless in-vehicle connectivity, offering easy and safe use of smartphone functions such as music, media or messaging apps while driving. Highlights of the interaction between Android Auto and BMW include convenient and wireless networking and the intelligent integration of Google MapsTM navigation instructions in the BMW Head-up Display.

Deep integration of Amazon Alexa makes it possible to use Amazon’s voice service inside the vehicle in the same way as the customer is already used to doing at home. With the help of the My BMW app, which is available in over 40 countries for both iOS and Android operating systems, Amazon Alexa can be installed in the vehicle in just a few steps. In addition, the My BMW App is a universal interface to the vehicle. It offers information on the state of the vehicle at all times and, depending on the options fitted, enables remote access functions such as vehicle location, locking and unlocking the doors or recording the vehicle’s surroundings (Remote 3D View).

Enhanced functionality for the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.

The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is also constantly gaining additional capabilities in the BMW X3 and BMW X4, creating an even more intensive bond between driver and vehicle. With the digital companion, naturally spoken instructions can now be used to regulate the air conditioning, open and close the windows or change the driving experience switch modes, for instance. It can also access the new News app, which reads out the latest news to passengers, and learn routines that increase comfort and driving pleasure in certain situations.

Remote Software Upgrade updates “over-the-air”.

Since 2018 and the introduction of BMW Operating System 7, it has been possible for drivers of BMW models to keep their vehicle constantly up to date with the latest software status using Remote Software Upgrade. In the BMW X3 and BMW X4, too, upgrades can include different content from new services to improved vehicle features and can be loaded "over‑the-air". Furthermore, intelligent networking offers the option to integrate additional functions into the vehicle at a later date. The options that can be retrofitted digitally include the high beam assistant and BMW Drive Recorder.

Please find attached on location pictures of the BMW X3 xDrive30e.

Munich. The unique combination of intelligent all-wheel drive BMW xDrive and cutting-edge BMW eDrive technology makes for sustainable driving pleasure in another BMW model. The new BMW X3 xDrive30e is already the third Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) in the brand's current model range to feature a plug-in hybrid drive and power transmission to all four wheels, offering exciting versatility and a purely electric driving experience as well as outstandingly low fuel consumption and emissions. Together, the 4-cylinder combustion engine and the electric motor of the plug-in hybrid model generate a maximum system output of 215 kW/292 hp. The unique combination of the intelligent 4-wheel drive system BMW xDrive and state-of-the-art BMW eDrive technology reduces average fuel consumption to levels between 2.4 and 2.1 litres per 100 kilometres*. The relevant CO₂ emissions amount to 54 to 49 grams per kilometre*. The combined power consumption of the new BMW X3 xDrive30e is between 17.2 and 16.4 kWh per 100 kilometres*. Its lithium-ion high-voltage battery equipped with the very latest battery cell technology enables purely electric mobility with a range of 51 to 55 kilometres*.

The new BMW X3 xDrive30e will be produced from December 2019 onwards at the BMW plant in Spartanburg, USA – alongside the conventionally powered model variants of the BMW X3. The worldwide market launch is due to start in spring 2020. In this way, the BMW Group is consistently pursuing not only the electrification of its drive portfolio but also a product strategy geared towards the diverse needs of its customers. The globally popular SAV model in the premium mid-range segment is the first model of the brand to be offered with both a conventional combustion engine and a plug-in hybrid system – with a purely electrically powered model variant due to be added during the course 2020.

Sports Activity Vehicle with agile handling, superior off-road performance and outstanding efficiency.

The new BMW X3 xDrive30e combines the typical qualities of a Sports Activity Vehicle with particularly efficient drive technology. The plug-in hybrid model is likewise characterised by agile handling and sporty driving characteristics, robust versatility, a versatile interior, premium quality and advanced connectivity. Its BMW xDrive system permanently distributes the drive torque between the front and rear wheels as required – even when driving purely on electric power – so as to ensure sporty driving characteristics on the road and superior off-road performance over unsurfaced terrain. The drive power is generated by a 2.0-litre, 135 kW/184 hp 4-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology and an electric motor integrated into the 8-speed Steptronic transmission with an output of 80 kW/109 hp. Together the two drive units mobilise a system output of 215 kW/292 hp. The maximum system torque of the plug-in hybrid drive is 420 Nm. This allows the new BMW X3 xDrive30e to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. Its top speed is 210 km/h.

Depending on the operating mode and the situation on the road, the electric motor of the new BMW X3 xDrive30e can be used either for purely electric mobility or to support the combustion engine. In MAX eDrive mode, which can be activated via the eDrive button on the centre console, the new BMW X3 xDrive30e achieves a top speed of 135 km/h with a locally emissions-free and virtually silent drive unit. In the standard Auto eDrive setting, purely electric driving is possible at speeds of up to 110 km/h. The combustion engine only switches on at higher speeds or when there are particularly high load requirements. When both drive units are active, the efficiency of the new BMW X3 xDrive30e is optimised, as is its sprint capacity. When accelerating, the spontaneous power development of the electric motor is clearly noticeable, while at constant speeds its electric assist reduces fuel consumption and emissions. The support of the electric motor ensures that the combustion engine can run within an efficiency-optimised load range as often as possible. The likewise available BATTERY CONTROL setting serves to keep the charge state of the high-voltage battery at a level determined by the driver. In this way, the power supply can be specifically reserved and used for local emissions-free driving on urban stretches of road during a lengthier trip.

High-voltage battery based on the very latest battery cell technology for maximum efficiency; large, variable luggage compartment.

The lithium-ion battery of the new BMW X3 xDrive30e is located in a space-saving position underneath the rear seat, while the fuel tank is positioned above the rear axle. This means that the transport capacity of the plug-in hybrid model is only slightly restricted. At 450 litres, the luggage compartment volume of the new BMW X3 xDrive30e is on a par with those models which have a conventional engine. By folding down the rear seat with 40 : 20: 40 split, the storage space can be extended to up to 1 500 litres. Thanks to cutting-edge battery cell technology and a gross energy content of 12.0 kWh, the high-voltage battery contributes both to the outstanding efficiency and the excellent electrical range of the new BMW X3 xDrive30e. As a result, the plug-in hybrid model can be used for a great deal of day-to-day travel without locally produced emissions – even beyond the city.

The high-voltage battery can be charged at conventional household sockets using the standard-equipment charging cable. In this way, the battery can be fully charged in less than six hours. At a BMW i Wallbox, the same charging process can be completed in around three and a half hours. The charging socket is located under a separate flap on the front left side wall of the car. The electrical energy stored in the high-voltage battery is also used to supply the 12-volt vehicle electrical system.

Electric licence plate and tax benefit thanks to the considerable electrical range.

Thanks to its high electrical range the new BMW X3 xDrive30e fulfils the criteria laid down in the German Electric Mobility Act – depending on fittings – for classification as an e-vehicle, complete with special rights on public roads. It is also subject to reduced company car taxation in Germany. Only half the gross list price is used as a basis when calculating the monetary benefit from private use of the company car.

As an alternative to the basic version, the new BMW X3 xDrive 30e also comes in the model variants Advantage, xLine, Luxury and M Sport. Its standard equipment includes acoustic pedestrian protection. When driving electrically at low speeds, an unmistakeable sound designed specifically for electrified BMW models is generated to alert other road users to the approaching car without impairing the acoustic comfort of the vehicle occupants. In addition, the new BMW X3 xDrive30e is equipped with an auxiliary air conditioning system as standard. It can also be controlled remotely from a smartphone using the BMW Connected App: the driver can therefore get into a warm vehicle in winter and a pleasantly cool vehicle in summer. New digital services help make it more attractive and convenient to charge the high-voltage battery when out and about. The digital services support the driver in searching for and selecting public charging stations, enable the charging process to be controlled via remote functions and transmit information relating to charge status, electrical and combined range and individual energy consumption to the driver’s smartphone or other personal devices.

In addition, almost the entire range of optional equipment available for the conventionally powered versions of the BMW X3 is also available for the plug-in hybrid model – thereby increasing driving pleasure, comfort and individual style. This range includes an Adaptive Suspension, a Variable Sports Steering and a M Sport Brake System, the BMW Head-Up Display, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Driving Assistant Plus with steering and lane guidance assistant and also Parking Assistant Plus. Another feature included in this range of extras is a tow hitch that can be electrically swivelled out and in. The maximum towing capacity of the new BMW X3 xDrive30e is 2,000 kilograms.

New BMW X3 xDrive30e has a smaller overall CO₂ footprint.

The “real” environmental impact of plug-in hybrid vehicles has been questioned on occasion, especially in markets where the proportion of green energy used by the public energy grid remains small. The BMW Group conducted a full-cycle CO₂ certification for the new BMW X3 xDrive30e – from raw material procurement, the supply chain, production and the use phase, all the way to recycling.

This revealed the CO₂ footprint of the new BMW X3 xDrive30e to be 26 per cent smaller than that of the new BMW X3 xDrive30i when running on average European power in the use phase. When charging the car with green energy, its CO₂ footprint is reduced by as much as 54 per cent.

BMW plug-in hybrid models offer an array of benefits in everyday use.

BMW’s plug-in hybrid drive systems already offer users a host of additional benefits over traditional solutions:

• Money-saving: Electric driving in urban areas is cheaper than using petrol or diesel if the plug-in hybrid vehicle is charged at home or at the workplace at low cost.
• Interior always at the right temperature, even before you get in: auxiliary heating and auxiliary air conditioning are fitted as standard.
• Braking is winning: The battery is charged under braking. In conventional vehicles, braking generates only heat and brake dust.
• The best of both worlds: Plug-in hybrids provide electric driving pleasure in urban areas and classical BMW driving pleasure over longer distances.

• Smoothing the way into the future: Because a plug-in hybrid can run emission-free, it is eligible to enter many low-emission zones, enjoys extra parking privileges and saves on toll charges.
• Better quality of life in cities: By driving on electric power, users can actively contribute to reducing emissions and traffic noise in cities.

Spartanburg/ Munich. BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the US state of South Carolina has doubled its capacity for production of high-voltage batteries. The plant’s own battery facility now produces the new fourth-generation batteries. These are intended for the plug-in hybrid models of the new BMW X5 and the future BMW X3, also produced in Spartanburg.

“We have invested around ten million US dollars in a new battery assembly line and expanded the area to more than 8,000 square metres. This means we could double the number of batteries produced if needed to meet market demand,” explains Michael Nikolaides, Senior Vice President Engines and Electrified Drivetrains, BMW Group.

The new assembly line will be able to produce different types of fourth-generation batteries to serve the growing range of electrified vehicles locally. These batteries are based on a new technology concept that further enhances their performance.

More than 120 people will be employed in battery production at Plant Spartanburg by the end of the year, having completed a comprehensive training programme to acquire the technological know-how needed for battery production.

“We have produced batteries on site at Plant Spartanburg since 2015 – making the BMW Group a pioneer for electromobility in the US,” says Knudt Flor, President and CEO, BMW Manufacturing, Co., LLC. In the past four years, the plant’s battery assembly team has produced a total of more than 45,000 batteries.

Further investment in production of BMW X5 and BMW X3 plug-in hybrids

Between 2015 and 2018, BMW Group Plant Spartanburg built the first series produced plug-in hybrid vehicle, the BMW X5 xDrive40e (combined fuel consumption: 3,3 l/100km; combined power consumption: 15,3 kWh/100km ; combined CO2-emission: 77 g/km), for the core BMW brand. The start of production for the new BMW X5 xDrive45e (combined fuel consumption: 2,0-1,7 l/100km*; combined power consumption: 23,5-20,3 kWh/100km*; combined CO2-emission: 47-39 g/km*) will be in August 2019; production of the BMW X3 xDrive30e (combined fuel consumption: from 2,4 l/100 km*; combined power consumption: from 22,7 kWh/100 km*; combined CO2-emission: from 56 g/km*; provisional figures) will get underway in December.

“The BMW X5 and BMW X3 are currently among the top-selling BMW models in the US. We expect their plug-in hybrid variants to be just as popular with customers,” adds Flor.

Since the start of the year, the BMW Group has invested a further ten million US dollars in production of plug-in hybrid models. An additional 225 vehicle assembly workers received training in the production of electrified vehicles, adding to the Plant’s already skilled staff.

International production network for batteries

The BMW Group currently has three battery facilities: at the Competence Centre for E-drive Production at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing in Germany, at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the US and at Plant Powertrain of its joint venture, BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA). The BMW Group also produces batteries for local car production in cooperation with a partner in Thailand. The BMW Group’s battery research and pilot plant are located in Munich.

• The BMW X3 launched the mid-size Sports Activity Vehicle segment when it arrived on the scene in 2003. More than 1.5 million units of the X3 have since rolled off the assembly line and now the third-generation model is ready to take over the baton.
• Eye-catching design ensures distinctive looks and highlights the car’s dynamic mission statement and familiar X character.
• Customers can choose from three model lines – xLine, Luxury Line and M Sport – and the BMW Individual range of products to align the inside and outside of the new BMW X3 even more precisely with their personal tastes.
• The range-topping BMW X3 M40i will be the first M Performance Automobile in this model series.
• Carefully honed chassis, including reduced unsprung mass and sophisticated axle kinematics, elevates sporty handling to another new level.
• From the launch of the new model (or shortly afterwards), the engine line-up will feature three petrol and two diesel engine variants with outputs from 135 kW/184 hp to 265 kW/360 hp (fuel consumption combined: 8.4 – 5.0 l/100 km [33.6 – 56.5 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 193 – 132 g/km)*. All models come with the eight-speed Steptronic transmission as standard.
• Weight reduced by up to 55 kilograms from the predecessor model thanks to intelligent lightweight construction; class-leading aerodynamics (Cd = 0.29).

• State-of-the-art operating system, with optional gesture control and Intelligent Voice Assistant.
• Owners can operate functions including the optional auxiliary heating using the optional BMW Display Key.
• BMW CoPilot: Options such as the latest generation of Active Cruise Control and the Driving Assistant Plus safety package including Steering and lane control assistant, Lane Change Assistant (est. from December 2017) and Lane keeping assistant with side collision protection provide extensive scope for (semi-)automated driving.
• The full range of latest-generation BMW Connected functions are available, providing seamless connectivity between owners, their cars and the outside world.

Find all information in the attached documents.

Munich/Arjeplog. Driving dynamic and reliability are just two of the major characteristics of any BMW automobile. To ensure that a BMW functions in all conditions and that the customer is able to enjoy unrestricted access to that brand-typical “driving pleasure” at any time, BMW invests a great deal of time and know-how in both the construction and the testing of new automobiles. Long before a new model series arrives on the market, it will have had to withstand possibly the most severe endurance tests. This includes, for example, testing under extreme climatic conditions such as those prevailing in scorching hot deserts or freezing cold winter landscapes.

Fine tuning for optimal safety and maximum driving enjoyment.
Moreover, the extensive ice surfaces of frozen lakes and the numerous remote roads with their firmly packed layers of snow offer excellent conditions for fine tuning of the settings activated via the Driving Experience Control function – and hence for the application of maximum driving pleasure and best possible driving safety. As a result, engineers are in a position to sense the vehicle’s dynamic behaviour much more accurately and synchronize the control of driver assistant systems such as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) or Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) even more precisely and to attune it to the vehicle as a whole. It is this painstaking development work that later provides the customer with a competently tuned chassis for that typical BMW driving pleasure.

Ideal preconditions for testing the BMW X3 in the polar region.
Within the framework of the final winter trials, a BMW testing team completed a fastidious testing programme in wintery North Sweden. In the landscape around the small town of Arjeplog, pre-series models of the new BMW X3 had to prove that they are also able to withstand cold, ice and snow. Located in the historic province of Lapland barely 56 kilometres south of the polar circle, Arjeplog offers the ideal conditions for this. An abundant amount of snow and temperatures of minus 20 degrees and below cause the many lakes in the surrounding area to freeze over. The resulting vast, even surfaces serve as proving grounds on which steering, suspension and drive characteristics can be meticulously tested and various different technical solutions compared against one another. In the process, the intelligent four-wheel technology xDrive is able to demonstrate its advantages by not only ensuring best possible traction on icy surfaces but, thanks to fully variable distribution of torque, also by optimizing handling agility, this in turn resulting in enhanced driving dynamics and active driving safety.