BMW X3, the benchmark in the field of compact luxury SUVs, some people may say, hey, shouldn't the benchmark car in this field be so-and-so or so-and-so? Although the X3 is not the strongest in this class in terms of product power, from the perspective of monthly sales and visibility on the street, the benchmark status of the BMW X3 cannot be questioned.
So I won't sell this article to everyone, the theme is one: BMW X3 is going to be replaced! And the replacement car is very strong!
Recently, many foreign media have frequently photographed the new generation of BMW X3 test cars in camouflage on some tracks in Germany for testing, and at the same time, some foreign media have also released hypothetical pictures of new cars. Whether it is a camouflage photo or an imaginary picture, it can be seen that the size of the X3 is significantly larger than that of the current model. According to the current news, the new generation of X3 is still based on the BMW CLAR architecture improvement, to put it bluntly, the new generation of X3 in the body architecture, is a "big upgrade" version of the current X3.
For reference, the BMW Brilliance 22 X3 has dimensions of 4737x1891x1689mm and a wheelbase of 2864mm. Based on available information, we predict that the length of the new generation BMW X3 may be very close to 4900mm, the width will exceed 1900mm, and the wheelbase may reach the level of 2950mm. In other words, if the new generation of X3 is purely from the perspective of body size, as a mid-size SUV, its body size is close to some medium and large SUVs. However, this is also BMW's "normal operation", whether it is X3, 3 series, 5 series, etc., for this kind of explosive hot-selling car, each replacement will basically be accompanied by a significant enlargement of the body size.
So in addition to the larger size, what else is there to see in the new generation of models? First of all, of course, the new exterior style, considering that the current outflow is imaginary drawings, but several design features can be determined: a larger front center net, a more slender but more high-tech headlight group, a slender taillight group, it is likely that the tail light group will adopt a through-through design, and a sharper vehicle exterior design style. Simply put, the new generation of X3 has become much younger than the current model.
As for the interior, the current versions of the hypothetical diagram basically point to the same design direction: BMW will cancel the "chicken leg shift lever" that has been used for many years on the new generation X3, and adopt a button-type shift structure similar to the new generation X5 and the new generation 7 series. As for other interior designs, popular elements such as a simpler center console and a larger screen naturally cannot escape. From the current hypothetical picture, the new generation of X3 has not changed drastically, at least in the interior, if you are familiar with the interior layout of the current X3, it should not be difficult to get started with the new car.
I don't know what everyone thinks about the internal combustion engine, but whether you want this thing to disappear quickly, or you want it to stay in the new car for a while, the general trend is irreversible, and the new cars we see now, whether BBA or any other brand, the replacement cars they are announcing now are the last generation of cars that retain fuel power.
Of course, the X3 will be no exception, this replacement car, that is, the last generation of the X3 series, still retains pure fuel power. Specifically, according to the current news, the new generation of X3 will have several power configurations, namely 2.0T + 48V mild hybrid version, 3.0T pure fuel version (this version is likely exclusive to the US market), 2.0T plug-in hybrid version, pure electric version (iX3). At the same time, according to sources, in order to reduce the price of X3 in the domestic market, BMW may launch a pure fuel version with a lower starting price and 1.5T power in the Chinese market.
The main model in the domestic market must be the 2.0T + 48V mild hybrid version, and the plug-in hybrid version is limited by a relatively high price, and BMW Brilliance may not take this version as the main shipment. The pure electric version of the new generation of X3 will be directly classified as BMW's i-series pure electric model, and it is likely to be one of the main sales forces in the future. But in the end, the best-selling one, we think, will still be the best selling fuel version of the 1.5T three-cylinder version like the current X3 (because it's the cheapest).
As for pricing, such an important strategic model as X3 generally does not fluctuate too drastically, so we are quite sure that the price of the new generation X3 in China will be consistent with the guidance price of the current X3, that is, about 39-480,000. Specifically, considering that the main sales car is no longer a fuel vehicle, the average selling price of the new generation X3 may increase slightly, but it is estimated that it will increase by several thousand yuan. At present, it is doubtful whether there will be a price reduction such as a direct reduction of 100,000 after the new generation of iX3 is launched in the future (I personally think it is unlikely).
Its opponents will basically not change, that is, Audi Q5L and Mercedes-Benz GLC. GLC's replacement car launch rhythm is expected to be very close to the replacement X3, so these two new cars must be a battle for a long time in the future. The Q5L, which has no replacement plan in the short term, may appear a bit passive under the clamp of these two new cars. However, after all these two new cars are launched, Audi has a very high probability of a wave of price war offensive.
So to put it bluntly, in the years from 2023 to 2025, if you plan to buy such a mid-size luxury SUV, under the premise that the budget is not very tight, the new generation X3 and the new generation GLC can be selected according to their own car purchase preferences. And if your budget is a bit tight, then we would advise everyone to wait for Audi's drastic price reduction for the Q5L.
In fact, to put it bluntly, this X3 replacement, like the GLC replacement we analyzed earlier, is a normal iteration of new cars, and everyone is familiar with it in recent years, and each replacement of domestic cars is a earth-shaking change, which is basically unlikely to appear on BBA. But in any case, the new generation of BBA basically follows several general directions: larger size, more technological interior, and gradually marginalized traditional fuel power.
This is the general trend of the entire industry now, maybe you feel like me, the internal combustion engine is the soul of the car, and the car with the sound of the engine is complete. But you and I can't stop the trend, so if you have an obsession with fuel engines, then this replacement of BBA is likely to be a swan song of pure internal combustion engine power.
So, buy it and cherish it.