Photo: SB Medien
BMW is currently working on the future G01 X3 and G02 X4, relying on the newest engines in the range. The G01 X3 has already been spotted out testing, but the news about the X4 being already worked on is a bit more surprising, given when it was launched originally.
Even so, since the two will be sharing almost every part except the body that will have a different shape on the SAC, it’s only natural that the Germans are working on the both.
As expected, the engines that will be used on them will be 2-liter 4-cylinder units as well as 3-liter 6-cylinder ones. Being built atop the CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform, the two SUVs will retain their rear-wheel drive layout that will be joined by optional xDrive all-wheel drive offerings.
According to one of our sources, the X3 will be getting more than one plug-in hybrid versions. So far, the BMW SUV range has only one plug-in hybrid, and that is the X5 xDrive40e. Well, as it turns out, the X3 will also have an xDrive30e version that could use a 1.5-liter petrol engine instead of the 2-liter one used on the xDrive40e. Then again, the same 2-liter mill could be used with a different power output that would make it more efficient.
What’s interesting is that the same source claims that the X4 is being developed only with petrol and diesel engines at the moment. Could it be that it won’t be getting a hybrid alternative? Not likely, it just could be that the engineers are looking to find a way of integrating the batteries without cutting too much into the room inside the cabin that is already in short supply due to the roof’s coupe-like shape.
The biggest news is the introduction of the G08 X3 model that will be a long wheelbase version on offer just for China. No other info is available at the moment but it seems like BMW’s focus on the Asian country will not diminish despite falling sales figures.
As expected, the engines that will be used on them will be 2-liter 4-cylinder units as well as 3-liter 6-cylinder ones. Being built atop the CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform, the two SUVs will retain their rear-wheel drive layout that will be joined by optional xDrive all-wheel drive offerings.
According to one of our sources, the X3 will be getting more than one plug-in hybrid versions. So far, the BMW SUV range has only one plug-in hybrid, and that is the X5 xDrive40e. Well, as it turns out, the X3 will also have an xDrive30e version that could use a 1.5-liter petrol engine instead of the 2-liter one used on the xDrive40e. Then again, the same 2-liter mill could be used with a different power output that would make it more efficient.
What’s interesting is that the same source claims that the X4 is being developed only with petrol and diesel engines at the moment. Could it be that it won’t be getting a hybrid alternative? Not likely, it just could be that the engineers are looking to find a way of integrating the batteries without cutting too much into the room inside the cabin that is already in short supply due to the roof’s coupe-like shape.
The biggest news is the introduction of the G08 X3 model that will be a long wheelbase version on offer just for China. No other info is available at the moment but it seems like BMW’s focus on the Asian country will not diminish despite falling sales figures.
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