2020 BMW X3 M and X4 M: 503 Horsepower!

Published on February 12, 2019 in New Models by Michel Deslauriers

We were waiting for these two models for quite a while now, and they’ve finally been unveiled. The 2020 BMW X3 M and X4 M will join the brand’s growing range of SUVs this summer, set to rival the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S 4MATIC+ and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

Under their hood lies an all-new engine that’s technologically up to date and ridiculously powerful. It’s a twin-turbo, 3.0-litre inline-six that develops 473 horsepower as well as 442 pound-feet of torque from 2,600 to 5,600 rpm.

This engine, code name S58, boasts a 7,200-rpm redline and its cylinder head cores are fabricated using a 3D printer, which allows to create forms that are impossible to duplicate with metal forging techniques.

According to BMW, the two SUVs can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed up to 280 km/h.

If that’s not enough, we can always move up to the X3 M Competition and X4 M Competition variants. They use the same engine, but retuned to deliver 503 horsepower. The 0-100 km/h sprint takes 4.1 seconds aboard these two road rockets.

In all cases, we get an eight-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and wheel-mounted shift paddles as well as an M xDrive all-wheel drivetrain that favours the rear wheels in normal driving conditions. The company is also flaunting the exhaust system that benefits from electrically controlled flaps to create a rich and typically BMW M sound. The Competition variants are equipped with the M Sport exhaust that should sound even meaner.

Obviously, a sport suspension is included, while the Competition versions get M Adaptive dampers. The X3 M and X4 M wear 20-inch wheels, and the Competition editions, 21 inchers.

Inside, the SUVs are dressed up with Vernasca leather upholstery and aluminum carbon interior trim. However, the Competition variants move up to M sport seats wrapped in Merino leather. Actually, these seats can also be chosen in the X3 M and X4 M for an extra sum of money. And with 40/20/40 split folding rear seatbacks, nothing is lost regarding versatility compared to the plebeian X3 and X4 versions.

Pricing will be announced at a later date.