Aside from PHEV, will all-new BMW X3 still get turbo-diesel in PH?

Could BMW PH also offer other engine options for the all-new X3?

Yesterday, BMW Philippines distributor SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp. officially revealed the all-new X3. Now on its fourth generation, the G45 BMW X3 succeeds the third generation G01 model and is now only being offered as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) via the recently revealed 30e xDrive M Sport.

The PHEV comes with a 2.0L TwinPower turbo-gasoline engine that's assisted by an electric motor and a 19.3 kWh battery pack. The result is a combined 299 PS and 450 Nm of torque, along with the ability to cover up to 90 km without using a drop of fuel. Impressive, but despite the growing popularity of electrified vehicles, there are still those who swear by diesel power, which the previous G01 X3 used to be offered with.

Regarding this, we asked SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp. president Spencer Yu if the latest G45 X3 will be available with a turbo-diesel engine like its predecessor. According to the executive, the all-new X3 will only be offered as a PHEV, for now at least, as they have no plans to offer it with a pure turbo-diesel or a turbo-gasoline engine.

The executive didn't exactly say why they will not offer it with other powertrain options. However, perhaps one of the main reasons is the fact that PHEVs benefit from Executive Order No. 12 (E.O. 12). Since hybrids now also benefit from zero import duties, automakers can price electrified vehicles more competitively while also equipping them with more features.

This is apparent in the all-new BMW X3 which gets the M Sport appearance pack, adaptive sport suspension, 20-inch M light alloy wheels, M Veganza leather upholstery with suede accents, M fine-brushed aluminum trim pieces, sport seats, a Harman Kardon surround sound system, a 360-degree parking assistant, comfort access system, and more.

As to what other possible engines BMW Philippines could offer in the all-new X3 should they decide to, the G45 X3 is available with a 2.0L mild-hybrid turbo-gas engine that makes 208 PS, a mild-hybrid 2.0L turbo-diesel inline-four that puts out 197 PS, and a 3.0L TwinPower Turbo inline-six that generates 398 PS and is exclusive only to the M50 xDrive.

With the automaker only offering the all-new X3 as a plug-in hybrid, perhaps those looking to get it with different engines may have to wait for a little while longer.