Photo: Jadesigns75.deviantart.com
Up until now, seeing a BMW X3 M come to life was only a dream. That’s because, unlike its bigger brothers, the X5 and X6, the X3’s engine bay is quite smaller, the biggest engines fitted on the F25 chassis being the 3-liter inline 6-cylinder ones, no matter whether it’s a diesel or petrol variant.
Now, we have a new M engine, apart from the S63 4.4-liter twin turbo V8, one that will be used on the brand new M3 and M4. We’re talking, of course, about the S55 unit that has the same architecture as the N55 unit used on the xDrive35i X3 but two turbochargers extra.
Having a rather similar size, the S55 could be fitted on the F25 chassis and we could get an X3 M model. Of course, we’re just making suppositions here, but it would be a nice addition to the range though.
Judging by what the guys over at Alpina managed to achieve with their XD3 model, specs would be more than impressive. The diesel uber-SUV uses a 3-liter engine and is based on the xDrive35d, taken up to 350 HP and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque and is capable of amazing feats, reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.9 seconds.
If the S55 engine would be used in an X3 M it would have 410 HP and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque and the sprint numbers would be similar if not even better, thanks to the TLC showed by the M division. Oh, and it would probably put the current X5 M to shame too both on and off the track, due to its lighter construction.
Rendering via Jadesigns75
Having a rather similar size, the S55 could be fitted on the F25 chassis and we could get an X3 M model. Of course, we’re just making suppositions here, but it would be a nice addition to the range though.
Judging by what the guys over at Alpina managed to achieve with their XD3 model, specs would be more than impressive. The diesel uber-SUV uses a 3-liter engine and is based on the xDrive35d, taken up to 350 HP and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque and is capable of amazing feats, reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.9 seconds.
If the S55 engine would be used in an X3 M it would have 410 HP and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque and the sprint numbers would be similar if not even better, thanks to the TLC showed by the M division. Oh, and it would probably put the current X5 M to shame too both on and off the track, due to its lighter construction.
Rendering via Jadesigns75
Google News