These are the first pictures of BMW’s X3 SAV (Sport Activity Vehicle) being tested on Indian soil, spotted by AutoCarIndia’s reader Aditya Phadke in Pune. The X3 is wearing BMW’s typical psychedelic camouflage seen in BMW and Mini vehicles globally. But this is the first instance of it being spotted in India.
This is the second generation X3, codenamed F25. The BMW X3 will rival the likes of Audi Q5, Land Rover Freelander and Volvo XC60.
The exterior blends styling elements from the smaller X1 and the larger X5 in a body that has a silhouette recognizable as the X3. Dimensionally the X3 is longer, taller and wider than the model it replaces, what’s new are the significantly larger rear doors for easier access, improved gearboxes, and updated engine options.
BMW will assemble the X3 in India at the Chennai plant has been told to Indian Autos Blog. Currently the X3 is a CBU. The assembly operation could begin very soon for a mid 2011 launch. The X3 is basically an SAV that sits between the X1 and X5
The X3 is globally available in a range of petrol and diesel engine options. Its entry level 2.0-litre manual version, named as X3 xdrive20d produces 184bhp. There will also be a 302bhp 3.0-litre turbocharged straight six petrol motor in the luxurious xDrive 35i range-topper.
Expect the X3 to hit Indian roads later this year with a pricing between 41-44 lakh.
Source – AutoCarIndia.com
