BMW might have launched the fourth-generation X3 mid-sized SUV vary in Australia solely with electrified petrol powertrains, but it surely hasn’t dominated out introducing a diesel choice down the road.
Final yr the vary consisted of the turbo-petrol 48V mild-hybrid X3 20 xDrive and M50 xDrive, however now the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) 30e xDrive has joined the lineup.
Nevertheless, abroad there are diesel powertrains accessible, together with a new inline-six mild-hybrid turbo-diesel, and in line with BMW X Collection product and pricing supervisor Daniel Silverwood, they aren’t being dominated out for an area launch.
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“We haven’t shut the door on diesel,” mentioned Mr Silverwood.
“In direction of the top of the lifecycle of the outgoing [X3], the proportion that had been offered in diesel had decreased.
“Nevertheless, with that mentioned, there should still be a job going ahead; that’s one thing we’re at present assessing.”
In previous-generation guise, the X3 was provided domestically with two turbo-diesel powertrains – the xDrive20d with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel that produces 140kW and 400Nm, in addition to the xDrive30d with a 3.0-litre inline-six turbo-diesel that produces 195kW and 620Nm.
Though BMW Australia has launched a big selection of recent electrical automobiles (EVs) over the previous couple of years, it has additionally launched the brand new 540d xDrive, which is powered by the identical 3.0-litre inline-six turbo-diesel mild-hybrid engine because the X3 40d xDrive provided in different markets.
BMW additionally continues to supply diesel powertrains within the X5, X6 and X7 SUVs in Australia.
The corporate has beforehand mentioned it plans to maintain providing diesel powertrains in its bigger SUV lineup, and prioritise EV choices in its smaller fashions.
In 2024, a complete of 369,842 diesel-powered passenger, SUV and lightweight business automobiles had been offered in Australia. This was down 2.5 per cent year-on-year.
In distinction, a complete of 528,978 petrol-powered automobiles (down 10.1 per cent), 91,292 EVs (up 4.7 per cent), 172,696 hybrid automobiles (up 76 per cent) and 23,163 PHEVs (up 100.2 per cent) had been offered over the identical time period.
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