Following the successful production of the fourth-generation X3 30E plug-in hybrid vehicle since October this year, BMW South Africa will embark on manufacturing the 20D derivative at its plant in Rosslyn, north of Pretoria, when the factory reopens in January 2025.

BMW South Africa group automotive communications manager Hailey Philander tells Engineering News that although the 20D variant was available to local consumers, the vehicle was not produced locally at Rosslyn, and that because the 20D is in such high demand – being BMW’s volume pusher in the X3 lineup – local production would be beneficial in meeting domestic and global demand going into next year.

BMW South Africa’s Rosslyn plant is the only X3 production line globally to produce the brand’s plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) derivative – the 30E, meeting both local interest and international demand for new-energy vehicles (NEVs).

“[The X3] is being produced at Rosslyn for the world . . . showing the confidence the BMW group has in BMW South Africa and [its] Rosslyn plant,” says BMW South Africa product manager Ryan Warnasuriya.

The X3 30E has an all-electric range of an acclaimed 90 km, which he says, has been tested by BMW South Africa retailers, returning average ranges of between 80 km and 90 km on battery power only.

“If we want to achieve NEV segment leadership, these are the type of vehicles that we need to build and build in a way that is attractive to the South African market,” says Warnasuriya of the X3 30E.

The new X3s coming off the line in 2025 will include new colours other than the contemporary white, black, grey and blue, including a red. The new models will also feature new upholstery materials and a redesigned dashboard with an upgraded control panel.

He reiterates the X3’s importance for BMW’s manufacturing capability in South Africa, stating that the model started the premium mid-size sports-activity vehicle (SAV) segment in 2003.

“Four generations later, the car’s moved on a lot. A large part of the previous SAV market’s growth is attributable to how the X3 has performed in the last couple of years.”

The previous generation X3 (third generation) was heavily reliant on diesel powertrains – a dynamic BMW global and South African divisions are trying to change with the refinement and expansion of hybrid models.

“We have planned retail for the remainder of [the X3’s] lifecycle that is less reliant on diesel,” says Warnasuriya.

As such, BMW is eyeing diesel-only market demand to be split between 65% and 70% of overall X3 demand, with plans to expand PHEVs share to between 10% and 15% of X3 consumption. The remainder of X3 retail is expected to be of the M-performance X3 M50 model.

NEW MINI, UPDATED 1-SERIES

In 2025, BMW South Africa also plans to introduce the new Mini Aceman – the first all-electric Mini model – coming in the wake of Mini South Africa’s launch of the fifth-generation Mini Cooper C and Cooper S petrol models in February 2024.

Expanding on the electric Mini Cooper SE model, which is built on the same underpinnings of the internal combustion engine variants, the new Aceman will be longer by 80 mm to provide more interior space, and will fit into Mini’s range as the only all-electric-specific model.

Next year will also see the launch of BMW’s new-look 1 Series, which also features modern interior materials and a unique, driver-centric wraparound dashboard to improve driver experience with an upgraded control panel.

BMW South Africa product manager Jean-Francois Bidard says specific emphasis was paid towards modernising the design of the new 1 Series, especially regarding the materials used on the interior, which are highlighted by illuminated interior trims and improved digital connectivity between driver and vehicle.