BMW has confirmed its rival for Audi’s popular SQ5 will arrive by the middle of next year in the form of the X3 M40i.
Powered by the latest version of the six-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine found in the BMW M140i, the all-wheel drive X3 40i will be a natural rival to the new SQ5, which switched from a diesel powertrain to petrol engine earlier this year.
In the X3 M40i, the BMW D58 engine will generate 15kW more than in the M140i while torque remains the same at 500Nm. BMW say it will sprint to 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds.
While Australian pricing has not yet been confirmed for the performance model, it is expected that it will retail for around $100,000 plus on-road costs -- on par with both the SQ5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC 43.
The all-new X3 range goes on sale in Australia next month and features new driver assistance technologies carried over from 5 and 7 series, the latest iDrive6 infotainment system with enhanced connectivity functions and luxury finishes.
Watch this space for our first drive of the new BMW X3 M40i on Monday, October 16.