More powerful BMW X3 coming to South Africa – What to expect

BMW has confirmed that the Black Package, designed for the X3 M50 xDrive, will add new styling and extra power to the performance SUV and will be available in South Africa from next year.

The Munich-based carmaker added that the package will be available in other markets from December 2026, when all X3 models will benefit from targeted product enhancements.

That said, the exclusive Black Package will only be available in South Africa by the third quarter of 2027.

BMW noted that the optional styling package will be reserved for the X3 M50 xDrive and will not be made available on other X3-series models.

What’s in the Black Package

The optional package leans into the M Performance model’s motorsport-inspired details with new interior and exterior accents.

One exclusive feature is the new 22‑inch Polygon 1134 M Black light alloy wheels that add an extra inch to the existing X3 M50 xDrive model’s wheels, with further M light alloy wheels available as optional extras.

BMW has finished the callipers on the M Sport brakes in an exclusive high-gloss black, adorning them with a monochrome M logo.

Across the exterior panels, the Black Package upgrades the M logos and the model badges in high-gloss black with a silver outline – a darker aesthetic continued inside the cabin.

The carbon-inspired look and extensive Alcantara interior finishes were designed to create a direct connection with BMW’s motorsport heritage.

Sections of the driver’s side instrument panel, as well as the area in front of the central display and the wireless smartphone charging tray, were finished in black Individual Alcantara.

BMW has used the same material along the door trims and the armrest in the centre console.

Sticking with the darker theme, the Black Package adds specific black Alcantara or Veganza seat covers with blue stitching and piping, while M Logos on the headrests are embossed on the Alcantara surface.

The black floor mats also feature the blue piping found on the seats, as well as a flag sporting the M Performance colours.

BMW has also embellished selected control elements in the cabin with the brand’s Individual CraftedClarity glass application.

Rounding off the exclusive offerings is an M steering wheel that boasts a leather-finished airbag impact absorber.

Increased performance

Under the hood, BMW has managed to squeeze more power out of the X3 M50 xDrive’s straight-six petrol engine, which produces more than 300kW with the Black Package.

BMW got 33kW more out of the 3.0-litre M TwinPower Turbo motor with 48‑volt mild hybrid technology, as the performance SUV now reaches 326kW, retaining the familiar 8-speed Steptronic transmission.

The result is a 0 to 100km/h acceleration time of only 4.4 seconds, while applying the 1-foot rollout method – which subtracts the time taken to cover the first foot (about 30cm) – this drops to 4.1 seconds.

According to BMW, all BMW X3 M50 xDrive models will benefit from performance improvements not tied to the optional Black Package, while meeting all the stipulations of the Euro 7 emissions standard.

BMW X3 M50 xDrive with Black Package