Continuing the industry’s downsizing trend, BMW has announced a smaller engine for its entry-level X3 xDrive28i crossover. The engine swap will take effect for the 2013 model year, which will begin production in April.
The new 2013 X3 xDriver28i will be powered by a 241 horsepower version of BMW’s 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder, replacing the crossover’s current 240 horsepower naturally-aspirated 3.0L in-line six. The X3 xDrive28i will continue to use an eight-speed automatic transmission, according to Inside Line.
Despite the reduction of cylinders, the new engine should prove to be a better motivator than the previous six. Although the X3′s horsepower remains essentially unchanged, the four-cylinder’s 260 lb-ft of torque is a vast improvement over the 3.0L’s 221 lb-ft of torque.
BMW has yet to make any announcements on fuel economy, but expect the new engine to improve upon the X3′s current ratings of 19mpg in the city and 25mpg on the highway.
