Last year, BMW updated the design and technology of the M Competition. A lightweight crankshaft from the M3/M4 inline six was also used in the six-cylinder engine of the M6. Therefore, the LCI model was introduced before the M model had even been on the market for two years. It is possible that the company tried to match the styling of the high-performance version to that of the non-M versions.
The X3 M and X4 M were the first cars in 2019 to receive the S58 twin-turbo engine, which is well known to BMW fans. The strong 510 hp output remains, but torque increases by 50 Nm (37 pounds-feet) to 650 lb-ft (478 lb-ft). 3.8 seconds to 100 km/h (62 mph) are the result of these changes to the 3.0-litre engine.
AutoTopNL tested the X3 M Competition on the motorway and put these figures to the test. The drive took place on a German motorway section without speed limit. It managed the sprint in 3.8 seconds and reached the top speed of 124 mph in 13.34 seconds. The BMW X3 Competition must have had the optional M Driver’s Package. Electronic limiting kicks in on the variant without this package when the SUV reaches a speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). It continues until it reaches a speed of about 162 mph (260 km/h). 177 mph (285 km/h) is the top speed of the AMG GLC 63 when driven from a standstill.
Customers will be able to switch from the X3 M Competition to the M3 Touring later this year. Like the SUV, it will be available exclusively with xDrive, automatic transmission and the Competition trim. A lower centre of gravity should make it more agile than an SUV. The M3 Touring also gets iDrive 8.