Does It Stand A Chance? BMW To Challenge The Macan With A 425 HP X3 M

BMW will launch a hot X3 M later this year as the range-topping variant of the latest X3 SUV to rival the Porsche Macan Turbo.

The new X3 flagship model has been photograped testing at the Nürburgring with next to no camouflage, revealing the M division enhancements its body will recieve over the regular car.

Bolder bumpers and more prominent exhausts are clear signals to the car's performance. It'll also get larger diameter wheels, although this test car' features mismatched alloys. Like the regular car, the X3 M will feature LED lighting as standard.

Read Article

carloslassiter - 9/28/2017 7:55:48 AM

+1 Boost

I still can't believe there is a real market for things like this. I guess it is largely made up of guys whose wife insisted they get a minivan, so he tried to find a really sporty one.

MDarringer - 9/28/2017 8:29:37 AM

-2 Boost

I agree. Having a car with some guts to the acceleration but having a heavy hatchback on stilts trying to pretend it's a sports car is moronic.

TomM - 9/28/2017 6:32:25 PM

+1 Boost

It depends on what your definition of "performance" is -
Having grown up nearly in the SHadow of Englishtown Raceway Park - there are lots who believe speed in a straight line is that definition - And we also had a Early Stock car OVAL where obviously some turning was required - but still - very little. There are those who will not settle for anything less than a road racer and no SUV will ever come close to a car for that.

This is simply a way for BMW to make a few extra bucks from the last group - who talk about their cars - but never really drive them!

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 9/28/2017 9:28:50 AM

+2 Boost

This is goofy. Power or not, the X3 will never have the panache or the sporty look of a Macan. Invest this $$$ elsewhere.

llaroo - 9/28/2017 12:37:28 PM

+2 Boost

Macan actually looks sporty
X3 forget it - I had one for 4 years - nice handling and emphasis on utility but not a looker compared to Porsche.

Yonder7 - 9/28/2017 3:30:14 PM

+2 Boost

And besides that, the GLA 45 already beat the Macan, so I do not think this car is gunning the Macan but GLC.

stampfer - 9/29/2017 8:19:55 AM

+1 Boost

The Stelvio QF has about 505HP, is a bit faster than the Macan Turbo, and looks better than the BMW X3. There must be a market for these or you wouldn't have all these automakers competing in this segment. If I were in the market for a fast crossover, I'd get the Alfa if I could get over the reliability question :-(