As we all know from time and the evolution of automakers, the Germans love to fill in niche gaps as much as possible since they’re biblically set on trying to sell cars in vast numbers.
This niche-filling also includes the likes of the Mercedes-Benz AMG and BMW M brands, both of which have since expanded to modifying soccer mom crossovers and SUVs with high-performance gear–something that would never have thought to have happened in the past, during the years of automotive purism.
And lately, it seems the bug is continuing to hit BMW as German media reports Munich is working on a full-fledged M version of the X3 to sit below the X5 M and X6 M. But that’s not all–it may have as much as 500hp.
A report published by Focus.de reports the codenamed, “G01” next-generation X3 could get the M treatment as part of its lineup, after several next-gen X3 test mules were spotted.
What could this mean? Well, BMW could very well shove the 3.0L TwinPower turbocharged inline-six from the M2, M3 and M4 under the hood of this new X3 M, modified to achieve that 500hp figure. And that’s a hell of a lot more than the M3’s and M4’s factory rating of 425hp. Though knowing BMW’s history of underrating power figures, both mills probably produce more.
Additionally, the X3 M will benefit from a host of other modifications, such as ones to the suspension, steering, appearance, and packaging to fit the whole bill. It could even lose up to 220lbs during the transformation.
The idea would be to have the car compete against the likes of the Audi RS Q5, anticipated to surface in the near future with a twin-turbo 3.0L V6. Mercedes-AMG is also on board with a GLC 63 in the works.
So the market is there as the Germans see fit.
Do you think these performance luxo-cute utes will be worth a look?
– By: Chris Chin
Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/1PPliXU
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