BMW 02

BMW Malaysia has introduced the F25 BMW X3 LCI in the country – like the pre-facelift X3, the facelift is locally-assembled in Kulim, Kedah. The CKD variants are the xDrive20i and xDrive20d, the same as the pre-facelift, which began local assembly in January 2013.

The facelifted X3, which was announced in February this year, features a reprofiled front with new design headlamps (with reworked geometry) and redesigned grille, as well as new wing mirror indicators and rear bumper. Inside, the SAV gets new trim and materials, revised switchgear and instrumentation, among other things.

As before, the facelift features an xLine equipment package as standard, and the trim level adds, among other things, matt aluminium inserts to the bumpers. They also continue to ride on 18-inch wheels and 245/50 tyres, but new designs adorn the LCI - the X3 xDrive20i rides on 18-inch light-alloy Y-spoke style 607 wheels, while the new xDrive20d gets style 605 double-spoke wheels.

ext BMW X3 xDrive20i (3)

No changes to the xDrive20i's output, which is still 184 hp at 5,000 rpm and 270 Nm at 1,250 to 4,500 rpm, or the model's top speed (210 km/h), but the facelift has a quoted 0-100 km/h time of 8.2 seconds, 0.4 seconds faster than the vehicle it replaces. Fuel consumption, meanwhile, is 7.2 litres per 100 km (previously, 7.5 litres/100 km).

The xDrive20d LCI features a new 2.0 litre oil burner from the B48/B47 family, and at 190 hp at 4,000 rpm and 400 Nm at 1,750 to 2,500 rpm, that's an increase of six hp and 20 Nm from the pre-facelift's unit.

Performance figures for the diesel include a 0-100 km/h time of 8.1 seconds and a claimed fuel consumption of 5.2 litres per 100 km (pre-facelift, 8.5 seconds and 5.6 litres). As previously, both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic.

The interior continues to be dressed with Nevada leather upholstery, but the pre-facelift's Dark Copper high-gloss interior trim finishers are now in matt Satin Silver in the LCI. Elsewhere, the 205-watt audio system, which used to have 12 louspeakers, now only features nine speakers in the facelift.

New to the xDrive20i is a sports leather steering wheel, and the variant now gets Comfort Access as standard; the system features an integrated sensor to detect a short, directed wave of the foot below the rear bumper, allowing opening and closing the tailgate automatically without being touched. It was standard fitment on the pre-facelift xDrive20d.

Virtually no changes to the xDrive20d, save that it now has steering wheel gearshift paddles. Kit that it has over the petrol from before, like a rear view camera and a panorama glass roof, has been retained.

The locally assembled BMW X3 facelift is available in Alpine White, Black Sapphire and Mineral Grey exterior shades, with two exclusive shades being available for the xDrive20i petrol, these being Space Grey and Sparkling Brown. Both variants come with the option of Leather Nevada Mocha or Leather Nevada Black for interior upholstery.

As for pricing, the X3 xDrive20i goes for RM328,800, an increase of RM5,000 from the pre-facelift, while the X3 xDrive20d continues on unchanged at RM348,800, both on-the-road without insurance, with BMW Service + Repair Inclusive (BS+RI).