New info regarding the BMW X3M surfaced the web today, thanks to the British press, and a well placed source inside the company. The M version of BMW's X3 crossover could hit the market next year, in 2012. The BMW X3M will have a newly developed powertrain, based on the 3.0-liter straight 6-cylinder engine. Apparently, BMW is developing a new type of turbocharging for the X3M, which will involve no less than three turbos. Two of them will be the classic exhaust-gas driven ones, and the third will be powered by electricity.
Apart from the new tri-turbocharging system, the BMW X3M will also get slightly more displacement (3.2-liters) and an output of 449 bhp.
With all the extra power, the BMW X3M will also get considerably bigger brakes, a new and stiffer suspension system and probably new aerodynamics. The trademark four-pipe exhaust system will also find its way into the X3M. What's still a bit fuzzy at the moment is whether or not the X3M will get BMW's all-wheel-drive system. Traditionally, BMW builds its M cars with rear-wheel-drive only.
Our sources expect that the BMW X3M will be priced in the 55,000 - 60,000 EUR range.
[Source: CarMagazine]
