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BMW X3 M50 Set for Power Boost to 437bhp
BMW's best-selling M model, the X3 M50, is reportedly in line for a significant power upgrade early next year, adopting the latest B58 engine from the upcoming 3 Series M350 xDrive.
By George Kensington · 4 min read
BMW's best-selling M car, the X3 M50, is set to receive a substantial power increase early next year, according to reports from German publication BimmerToday. The performance SUV is expected to adopt the latest iteration of BMW's B58 turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine, lifting output to 443 PS — approximately 437 horsepower — which represents an 11 per cent gain over the current model.
The upgrade would add 44 horsepower to the M Performance variant without waiting for the model's mid-cycle facelift, which is not expected until 2029. The engine in question is the same unit destined for the upcoming 3 Series G50, specifically the M350 xDrive, suggesting BMW is preparing to roll out the revised powertrain across its M Performance range ahead of the larger model refresh.
Torque figures remain unconfirmed, but the current X3 M50 produces 540 Nm (398 lb-ft) from its B58 engine. The top-spec 3 Series is expected to deliver 580 Nm (428 lb-ft), raising the possibility that the X3 M50 could gain an additional 40 Nm (30 lb-ft) as part of the same update. BMW has not commented on the reports, and the quoted figures should be treated as speculative until officially confirmed by the manufacturer.
Production of the upgraded X3 M50 could begin as early as December, with the first vehicles carrying the extra power potentially reaching customers in early 2027. The timing would give the model a renewed competitive edge well before its scheduled facelift, which is expected to arrive some five years after the current generation's launch.
The X3 M50's position as BMW M's top seller underscores the importance of the model to the brand's performance division. The SUV has become a cornerstone of the M Performance line, bridging the gap between standard BMW models and full M cars. A power increase would strengthen its appeal in a crowded premium performance SUV segment where rivals continue to push output boundaries.
Beyond the combustion-engined X3 M50, BMW is preparing a broader electrified offensive for the X3 range. An iX3 M60 is understood to be in development and could debut before the end of 2026 or in early 2027. Spy photographs have also revealed that BMW M is working on a full electric X3 M featuring four electric motors, signalling a significant expansion of the performance SUV lineup.
The current X3 M50 will likely remain the range-topping petrol model, as BMW is not expected to introduce another X3 M powered by the S58 engine. The M50's combination of inline-six power and everyday usability has made it a commercial success, and the reported upgrade would extend its lifecycle appeal ahead of the facelift.
When the facelift eventually arrives in 2029, the X3 is expected to adopt design cues inspired by BMW's Neue Klasse electric vehicles, alongside a radically redesigned interior. That cabin overhaul is anticipated to include a 17.9-inch central touchscreen, a pillar-to-pillar windshield projection and fewer conventional controls. The pre-facelift model will be remembered as one of the last BMWs to feature the iDrive rotary controller, alongside the 2 Series and 4 Series.
For now, the reported power boost remains unconfirmed. BMW enthusiasts and prospective buyers will be watching for an official announcement in the coming months, particularly with production reportedly slated to begin before the end of the year.
