D-LIGHTFUL (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 69

The G01-series version of BMW's X3 M40d wasn't a full M car but it was a full-on performance SUV that was also a remarkably frugal electrified diesel-engined family conveyance. Sixty mph flashes by in under 5 seconds and on a twisting country road, that hot hatch rapidly receding in your rear view mirror will get a bit of a shock. 340hp beneath the bonnet will do that for you.

Modelsword count: 3

5dr SUV (M40d)

Historyword count: 173

BMW's famous M motorsport division made a full Motorsport-tuned version of their G01-series X3 mid-sized SUV. This wasn't it. This X3 M40d variant was instead, like its M40i petrol counterpart, an uber-fast and potentially rather desirable performance version of the standard model, first launched in 2018, then three years on updated with the Munich maker's efficient 48V mild hybrid tech and a series of visual, cabin and media updates. As the 'd' in the model name suggests, it fuels from the black pump. If you don't naturally equate the word 'performance' with 'diesel', then you'll need a mental reset here because the M40d really is very fast indeed, yet it's capable of reasonably frugal returns, even if you give in to the urge of regularly thrashing its 340hp 3.0-litre straight six engine about. In the 2018-2024 period, only Audi's SQ5 TDI could rival this combination in this class. But this M40d always claimed to be a sharper driver's device. The car sold until the fourth generation G45-era MK4 X3 design arrived in mid-2024.

What You Getword count: 248

In keeping with its segment rivals, the exterior looks here are uber-subtle. To the point where many would mistake this car for an ordinary X3 with M Sport trim. Informed loyalist of Munich marque will of course know different, noticing the larger exhausts and the bespoke badging on the tailgate. Other smart touches include bespoke 20-inch M light alloy Double spoke M wheels finished in bicolour Orbit Grey. And a Cerium Grey with black finish for the kidney grille, plus bespoke calipers for the M Sport braking system and Cerium Grey mirror caps. Inside, apart from a smattering of extra M badges and anthracite headlining, the emphasis on subtlety continues, though some original buyers lifted the cabin with options like red leather upholstery. The twin-screened 'BMW Live Cockpit Professional' set-up became standard with 2020 facelifted models. That brought a 12.3-inch instrument binnacle display and a 12.3 'Control Display' for the centre of the dash. Plus you get the 'BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant', a voice control system responding to the command 'Hey BMW'. 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring is now (at last) standard. And that upgraded infotainment set-up updates itself with 'over-the-air' upgrades, so you'll get into your X3 one morning and find it able to do something it couldn't do the day before. There's plenty of headroom in the back and comfortable space for a couple of adults. Plus you get a decently shaped by 550-litre boot which can be extended to 1,600-litres by folding the 40:20:40-split rear bench.

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