BMW has launched an electrified version of the third-gen X3. It’s called the X3 xDrive30e, packs a PHEV powertrain and will enter production at Spartanburg, USA, in December.

Powering it are a 2.0-liter four-pot that makes 184 PS (181 HP / 135 kW) and an 109 PS (107 HP / 80 kW) electric motor integrated into the 8-speed transmission. The total system output of 292 PS (288 HP / 215 kW) and 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) of torque is delivered to all four wheels by the xDrive AWD system as required. The 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint takes 6.1 seconds and top speed is 210 km/h (130 mph), while its towing capacity is rated at 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs).

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Juice for the electric motor comes from a lithium-ion battery mounted beneath the rear seat (the fuel tank is positioned above the rear axle), which can be charged using conventional household sockets with the standard charging cable in almost 6 hours. Plugging it into the company’s Wallbox cuts down the charging time to around 3 and a half hours. Thanks to the clever packaging, the boot volume remains unchanged at 450 liters (15.9 cu-ft), and can be extended up to 1,500 liters (53 cu-ft) by folding down the rear seats.

Users can shift between different driving modes, including a zero-emission mode that gives them a range of 51 to 55 km (32-34 miles) – estimated at almost 20 miles (32 km) in the U.S. – when the battery is fully charged. The combined power consumption of the X3 xDrive30e is between 16.4 and 17.2 kWh and, officially, it burns 2.1-2.4 l/100 km (112-98 mpg US / 134.5-117.7 mpg UK) on average, while emitting 49-54 g/km of CO2.

The plug-in hybrid premium compact SUV will be offered in four trim levels named Advantage, xLine, Luxury and M Sport. Even the base model is nicely specced, getting standard features such as remote-controlled auxiliary air-con, digital services, acoustic pedestrian protection and others. Options will include almost the entire range of equipment available for the rest of the X3 lineup, including the adaptive suspension, variable sports steering, M brakes, head-up display, active cruise control and many more.

BMW will launch it in the U.S. in Q1 2020, with pricing and other details to be announced close to that date.

Note: Euro-Spec BMW X3 xDrive30e pictured in the Gallery

2020 BMW X3 Goes Down The Plug-In Hybrid Route With New xDrive30e
2020 BMW X3 Goes Down The Plug-In Hybrid Route With New xDrive30e
2020 BMW X3 Goes Down The Plug-In Hybrid Route With New xDrive30e
2020 BMW X3 Goes Down The Plug-In Hybrid Route With New xDrive30e
2020 BMW X3 Goes Down The Plug-In Hybrid Route With New xDrive30e
2020 BMW X3 Goes Down The Plug-In Hybrid Route With New xDrive30e
2020 BMW X3 Goes Down The Plug-In Hybrid Route With New xDrive30e
2020 BMW X3 Goes Down The Plug-In Hybrid Route With New xDrive30e
2020 BMW X3 Goes Down The Plug-In Hybrid Route With New xDrive30e
2020 BMW X3 Goes Down The Plug-In Hybrid Route With New xDrive30e
2020 BMW X3 Goes Down The Plug-In Hybrid Route With New xDrive30e
2020 BMW X3 Goes Down The Plug-In Hybrid Route With New xDrive30e
2020 BMW X3 Goes Down The Plug-In Hybrid Route With New xDrive30e
2020 BMW X3 Goes Down The Plug-In Hybrid Route With New xDrive30e
2020 BMW X3 Goes Down The Plug-In Hybrid Route With New xDrive30e
2020 BMW X3 Goes Down The Plug-In Hybrid Route With New xDrive30e
2020 BMW X3 Goes Down The Plug-In Hybrid Route With New xDrive30e
2020 BMW X3 Goes Down The Plug-In Hybrid Route With New xDrive30e