BMW starts production of BMW X3 M40i and X4 M40i in Brazil

Although the plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is known as the home of the X models, SUVs are also made everywhere else. In fact, the X1 and X2 are not even produced there, which could be said of the China’s long-wheelbase X1 and X5 models.

You will be amazed at how extensive BMW’s production map is, including the Araquari plant. It has been in operation since 2014 and has produced over 70,000 cars so far. Currently, the X1, X3 and X4 crossovers are produced there, as well as the 3 Series. It recently started production of the X3 M40i and X4 M40i, the most powerful BMWs in Brazil.

BMW’s Araquari plant currently produces what it claims are the most advanced cars built in Brazil, using electricity from renewable sources. The dynamic inline-six pair produces 387 hp and 500 Newton metres (369 pound-feet) of torque. The turbocharged 3.0-litre engine enables a sprint of 4.5 seconds to 100 km/h (62 mph). In addition, both M40i variants can reach a straight-line speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). Like the global X3 and X4 M Performance, the Brazilian-built models feature xDrive and 8-speed automatic transmission.

The two crossovers are real globetrotters, as they are both installed in different regions of the world. BMW produces them in Thailand, India, Russia, Indonesia and in Malaysia. The X3 is also produced in Indonesia, South Africa and Egypt.

BMW will expand its SUV range before the end of the year. The iX1 will come from the Leipzig plant in Germany, where a similar MINI Countryman EV is also produced. In addition, the production-ready XM plug-in hybrid M model will enter production in Spartanburg in late 2022. The extended X5 Li, which has the same wheelbase as the larger X7, was recently launched in China.