The glory days of the diesel engine are lengthy gone. Gross sales of oil-burners in Europe peaked within the mid-2010s, when this sort of engine held a market share of over 50% in lots of nations. The newest figures printed by the European Car Producers’ Affiliation present that plug-in hybrid demand is now almost on par with diesel. In Q1 2025, PHEVs accounted for 7.9% of the EU, EFTA, and UK market, whereas diesels captured 8.2% of recent automobile gross sales.
No matter which facet you’re on, BMW has each segments coated with the fourth-generation X3. The luxurious SUV is obtainable with four- and six-cylinder diesel engines and an electrified powertrain. New press photos spotlight the latter, which has been subtly renamed 30e xDrive from the previous-generation xDrive30e.
Automakers sometimes showcase well-equipped variations of their automobiles, and this X3 isn’t any exception. The plug-in hybrid crossover is completed in non-compulsory Arctic Race Blue metallic paint and rides on 20-inch (1036 M) wheels. Its blacked-out kidney grille with illuminated contouring isn’t customary, nor are the adaptive LED matrix headlights with blue accents.
Prior to now, blue lighting particulars signaled laser headlights, however BMW is steadily phasing out that expertise. We nonetheless keep in mind when the Bavarians raced to introduce the first manufacturing automotive with laser lightsthe i8, simply edging out the Audi R8 LMX. However I digress.
Inside close-ups reveal how a lot the X3 has modified. It’s uniquely positioned in BMW’s lineup as the one mannequin outfitted with iDrive 9 and a rotary controller. It’s additionally seemingly the final, because the German automaker prepares to debut iDrive X. When the new iX3 is unveiled in early September, the electrical crossover will forgo the normal dial. The secondary bodily management methodology for the infotainment system is on its method out.
For the Chinese language market, BMW has developed a long-wheelbase model of the X3 that provides additional rear legroom. Rear passengers additionally profit from a extra relaxed seating angle and a thigh assist extension. Sadly, this “G48” variant gained’t be provided in Europe or North America.
Photographs: BMW Slovakia / Samuel Za?ko
