The production of the long-wheelbase variant of the latest BMW X3 has commenced in China. This extended version is 9 cm longer than the standard X3 designed for the global market. The new BMW X3, manufactured in China, is set to hit the market for sales in the first quarter of this year.
BMW established a partnership with Brilliance Auto back in 2003 to produce cars in China. Presently, the BMW-Brilliance joint venture operates two manufacturing facilities in Shenyang, forming the largest production base within the BMW Group’s global production network. The Tiexi factory in Shenyang has initiated mass production of the all-new BMW X3 with an elongated wheelbase.
Chinese consumers have a preference for vehicles with additional space in the second-row seats. As a result, global automakers have been creating elongated variants of their vehicles to cater to this demand. BMW-Brilliance is no exception, as they have introduced a long-wheelbase version of the new X3. Despite not having an ‘L’ designation in its name, the dimensions of this variant have been visibly increased.
The production launch event for the BMW X3 took place on January 7 at the Tiexi plant. This facility boasts BMW’s largest paint shop equipped with automatic optical inspection technology. Robots at the plant capture over 100,000 photos of the paint surface of each vehicle to identify impurities, fibers, scratches, and more with a detection accuracy of 0.01 mm.
Additionally, the factory features an automatic wheel hub test station where each BMW X3 undergoes calibration tests for electronics and powertrain performance. Following this, the vehicles are subjected to a 2.5-km test track with various sections to assess dynamic performance.
The Chinese variant of the BMW X3 boasts a longer wheelbase, measuring 4865/1920/1664 mm with a wheelbase of 2975 mm. This makes it 90 mm longer and 30 mm wider than its global counterpart. Remarkably, the wheelbase of the Chinese BMW X3 is comparable to that of the standard BMW X5.
The design of the BMW X3 embraces the brand’s latest aesthetics, featuring a prominent glow kidney grille, sleek door handles, a sloping roofline, and distinctive taillights. Inside, the vehicle is equipped with a 14.9-inch curved display and an interactive bar. The China-spec BMW X3 is powered by a 2-liter turbocharged engine generating 211 kW (283 hp) paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Sales of the new BMW X3 in China are expected to commence in the first quarter of this year.
