BMW unveils facelift X3

BMW has given its X3 a mid-life facelift, with cosmetic tweaks, improved standard equipment and a new range of economical engines. The updated BMW X3 goes on sale in June and prices start at £30,990.

The facelift X3 has grown by just one centimetre in length and can be identified by new circular headlights, a revised grille and LED indicators, which are now housed in the wingmirrors. Both the front and rear bumpers get new contours, with a flatter, sleeker design. BMW has also added four new exterior paint shades and five new alloy wheel designs,

Inside, the changes are less obvious, although BMW has improved seating materials and introduced new cup holders, with a sliding console cover. Standard equipment has been bolstered across the range, with entry level trims getting sat nav, heated front seats and an automatic tailgate as standard. Boot space remains unchanged at 550 litres and this can be increased to 1600 litres with the seats down.

The X3’s turbo diesel engine line-up has been revised to meet Euro 6 emission standards and there’s an new all-aluminium 2.0-litre diesel. The new powerplant is most efficient in the rear-wheel drive sDrive18d, which uses a six-speed manual gearbox and low rolling resistance tyres to return a claimed 60.1mpg. CO2 emissions are 124g/km.

There are three further models - xDrive20d, xDrive30d, xDrive35d – and all get four-wheel drive as standard. The mid-range xDrive20d also gets the new 2.0 diesel engine, but with 190PS and 400Nm of torque, while CO2 emissions are 138g/km and fuel consumption is 52mpg.

The xDrive30d is powered by BMW's 3.0-litre, six-cylinder turbo-diesel with 258PS. It can accelerate from 0-62mph in under six seconds. Fuel consumption is a claimed 47.9mpg and CO2 emissions are 156g/km. The flagship xDrive35d pushes the performance figures further with 313PS and 630Nm of torque. Pushed to task the 35d will cover 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 152mph. Fuel consumption is 47.1mpg and CO2 emissions are 157g/km

There are three trim levels on offer - SE, xLine and M Sport – and SE models get full leather, two-zone air conditioning, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels and automatic headlights.

XLine models can be identified from the outside by metallic inserts in the bumpers, aluminium side cladding and bars in the air intakes. M Sport variants get upgraded aerodynamic styling, 19-inch light alloy wheels and sport seats.