BMW has launched the SportX variant of the X3 xDrive30i, essentially an entry-level variant in the X3 lineup. Available only with a petrol engine – the same 2-litre turbocharged in-line-four making 248.5bhp and 350Nm – the SportX will retail for Rs 56.50 lakh (ex-showroom), an estimated Rs 5.3 lakh lesser than the Luxury line variant with the same engine. It goes up against the Mercedes-Benz GLC and Volvo XC60, both of which it undercuts, though not by too far a margin.
Now, considering the SportX boasts the same mill under the hood, we’d expect the driving performance to be exactly the same, right? Well, not really. You see, being the entry-level X3, BMW has eschewed both the Dynamic Damper Control (essentially adjustable dampers) as well as the Dynamic Performance Control (which modulates torque between the left and right wheel on the rear axle). Further, the SportX gets 18-inch wheels instead of the de rigueur 19-inchers. And finally, up front are ‘normal’ LED headlights and not the fancy adaptive LED units as on the Luxury Line variant.
Moving into the cabin, and it all looks the same, save for BMW skimping upon the Sensatec (synthetic leather cladding) for the instrument panel. In the same vein, it gets an analogue instrument cluster with a 5.7-inch display and an 8.8-inch central touchscreen infotainment system instead of the 12.3-inch digital cluster and 10.26-inch infotainment screen with handwriting recognition. Also missing are the Harman Kardon sound system and wireless charging… and that’s all the kit you miss out on for the lower price tag.
What you do still get the 0-100kmph sprint in 6.3 seconds, while rowing, er, paddling through the eight-speed Steptronic ’box. And you still get the panoramic sunroof, for an airy cabin during the day, and Ambient Lighting with six dimmable light designs to recreate the same feel during the night as well. And all this for a smaller pinch on the good old wallet is by no means a bad deal, is it?