BMW‘s new 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger continues to trickle down the range. Following its introduction in the Z4 sDrive28i, 528i and the all-new 328i, the force-fed four-pot is now replacing the 240-horsepower 3.0-liter straight-six in the X3 xDrive28i.
The German automaker announced U.S. pricing today for the four-cylinder X3 xDrive28i, which arrives in showrooms this April as a 2013 model with the same MSRP of $37,995, including $895 destination and handling, as the outgoing six-cylinder 2012 xDrive28i.
The X3’s new 2.0-liter turbocharged unit delivers 240-horses at 5,000 rpm and a peak torque of 260 lb-ft, and is linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The crossover model accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (96km/h) in 6.5 seconds and reaches an electronically governed top speed of 130 mph (209km/h).
BMW has not yet released EPA estimates for its fuel economy, however, in the EU test cycle, the X3 xDrive28i returns 7.5lt/100km (equal to 31.3mpg US or 37.8mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 175g/km, an improvement of around 17 percent over the six-cylinder model.
In addition to the new engine, BMW has added an Auto Start Stop system, Driving Dynamics Control with ECO PRO and a power tailgate to the standard equipment of both the 2013 X3 xDrive28i and xDrive35i (priced at $43,595 including destination and handling)
Furthermore, the 2013 X3 xDrive28i also receives 18-inch wheels, and chrome tailpipes tips previously standard only on the X3 xDrive35i.
[2012 BMW X3 with M Sport Package pictured above]
