BMW X3 Extended-Wheelbase Variant Set For Market Launch In China

BMW is set to introduce a new variant of the X3 with an extended wheelbase (EWB), developed specifically for China. The vehicle, manufactured at BMW's Plant Lydia in Shenyang, will be available in the Chinese market later in February 2025. The outgoing model was the strongest-selling BMW vehicle worldwide in 2023. 156,000 units were delivered in China alone – accounting for around 40 per cent of all BMW X model sales in the region.

The BMW X3 EWB will be available in two variants. The BMW X3 xDrive 25L Luxury which is powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder petrol engine producing 187.7 bhp and 310 Nm of torque. Company claims that it does 0 to 100 kmph in 8.7 seconds and has a top speed of 214 kmph. The second variant, the BMW X3 xDrive 30L, offers 254.7 and 400 Nm of torque, reaching 100 kmph in 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 239 kmph.

For the first time, the China-specific BMW X3 will have an extended wheelbase, that makes it 126 mm longer than the previous model. The overall dimensions of the vehicle stand at 4,865 mm in length and 1,920 mm in width.

In terms of tech, The new BMW X3 comes with BMW iDrive, based on BMW Operating System 9, which includes digital services designed for the Chinese market. On the exterior it gets BMW Iconic Glow contour lighting on the kidney grille and the model will be available in five metallic paint finishes, including a matte Frozen variant.

The new BMW X3 variant will be produced locally at Plant Lydia under BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA). The pricing will remain unchanged from the previous model.