BMW has just introduced a new variant of the X3. Tagged as the xDrive30i SportX, it costs Rs 56.5 lakh. That makes it Rs 5.3 lakh less expensive than the next-in-line petrol-powered derivative – the xDrive30i Luxury Line. Those who book the newly introduced variant via BMW’s Online Shop before midnight of February 28, 2021, will be eligible for early-bird benefits worth Rs 1.5 lakh. Those include the BMW Service Inclusive Package and a BMW Accessories Package. The former incorporates all maintenance work, including any genuine parts and oil requirements, for 3 years/40,000km. The latter brings in a BMW Display Key, 2.5PM air filter, LED door projectors and a universal wireless charger.

The X3 xDrive30i SportX comes with a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that puts out 248bhp/350Nm, enough for the SUV to hit 100kmph from nothing in 6.3 seconds. An 8-speed automatic handles transmission duties. As the name suggests, there’s an all-wheel-drive system in the mix that enhances grip and comes in handy over tricky terrains.

In terms of features, the xDrive30i SportX has almost all the boxes ticked. The list includes multiple driving modes, cruise control, Hill-Descent and Hill-Start Assist, an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, auto tailgate operation, panoramic glass roof, three-zone climate control, support for Android Auto and Apple Carplay, and auto headlamps and wipers. Obviously, it doesn’t have the same level of kit as the xDrive30i Luxury Line variant. That ropes in stuff like a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, auto-locking differential for torque splitting, adaptive LED headlamps and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

On the safety front, the new derivative offers six airbags, Attentiveness Assistance, Dynamic Stability Control with Cornering Brake Control, electric parking brake, tyre pressure monitoring system and ISOFIX anchorages for child booster seats. In essence, both petrol-powered variants – the SportX and the Luxury Line – offer the same safety cover.

The BMW X3 competes directly with the Volvo XC60, Mercedes-Benz GLC and the Land Rover Discovery Sport. Soon, however, Audi will rejoin the party with the refreshed Q5. Expect that to happen sometime later this year.