BMW X3 redesigned for 2015

This is the redesigned 2015 BMW X3. With the unveiling of this new model, BMW’s crossovers are getting more and more generic, not that the old one was a design icon of any sort.

From the front, the X3 follows the ungainly new X5’s corporate face where the headlights extend all the way up to the BMW trademark grille. The entire body is different, yet nothing feels new. At least the redone 19-inch and 20-inch alloys complement the overall looks.

BMW will offer three engines from launch; one diesel and two petrol. The two-wheel-drive sDrive28i comes with a 2.0-litre turbo inline-4 engine producing 240 hp and 352 Nm of torque. The second of the petrol variants is the 3.0-litre turbo inline-6 engine for the all-wheel-drive xDrive35i that develops 300 hp and 406 Nm of torque. Finally, the xDrive28d diesel will house a 2.0-litre inline-4 engine producing 180 hp and an impressive 380 Nm of torque. The engines will be mated to BMW’s 8-speed automatic transmission.

As expected, the staid interior of the X3 is no different from their other vehicles. There’s fake leather, bits of chrome and high-gloss black trim around the centre console. All BMW X3 models are fitted with a 6.5-inch iDrive display and iDrive Controller, and the audio requirements are taken care of by Harman Kardon.

The new X3 is expected to hit the European showrooms in a few months. It should appear in the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the rest of the GCC by early next year.