BMW F25 X3 facelift unveiled ahead of Geneva debut

The second-generation BMW X3, codenamed F25, enters its fourth year of service and along comes a timely mid-cycle facelift unveiled today ahead of its planned global debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.

Aesthetically, BMW’s facelifts have an uncanny ability to make their forebears look very outdated despite sporting only minor enhancements – usually in the form of mild bumper revisions and more sophisticated light clusters.

The new X3, however, goes a bit further than BMW’s usual form with a significantly altered fascia that brings its appearance inline with the current-generation F15 X5, which is yet to be launched in Malaysia.

Headline news of this facelift comes in the engine room, where BMW once again rolls out its now-usual assortment of turbocharged 2.0-litre four- and 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. A total of seven powertrain configurations are on offer – three petrol plus four diesel – and depending on variant, choices of rear- and all-wheel drive are available.

Petrol power is supplied by the now familiar 2.0-litre N20 and 3.0-litre N55 engines, both of which boast twin-scroll turbocharging, Valvetronic, and Double VANOS technology. The N20 four-pot is offered in its two most familiar guises – the 184hp version powering the sDrive20i and xDrive20i, whilst the more potent 245hp is fitted in the xDrive28i. The six-cylinder N55 supplies 306hp and 400Nm to the xDrive35i.

An all-new all-aluminium diesel engine makes its first appearance in the F25 facelift, replacing the familiar N47 that has been in use since 2007. The new engine, codenamed B47, shares the same bore and stroke measurements as the outgoing cast iron mill, and is offered in two output guises: 150hp/360Nm in the sDrive18d, and 190hp/400Nm in the xDrive20d. The latter state of tune corresponds to a notable increase in outputs from its 184hp/380Nm N47 predecessor whilst consuming 7.1% less fuel. The X3’s diesel powertrain options are rounded off by the 3.0-litre N57 turbodiesel pumping out 258hp/560Nm in the xDrive30d and 313hp/630Nm in the xDrive35d.

Both four-cylinder diesels and the xDrive20i are offered with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard with ZF’s 8-speed auto an optional upgrade. All other variants get the 8-speed auto as standard. The various power and drivetrain permutations and corresponding performance numbers of the new X3 are summarized in the schedule below:

KON

Pictures: Official BMW release.

See also: BMW X3 xDrive20i Test Drive Review