The BMW X3 M is officially available for purchase. It’s a long-overdue decision for the German brand, but, finally, the time is here, and it’s available to a broad audience. The X3 M isn’t hard to like with its very quick and highly competent profile. In fact, it can even go up against some equally strong competitors in its segment. Two of them are the Mercedes-AMG GLC63 and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Verde (QV).
Under the bonnet, the Mercedes carries a massive, muscular 4.0-litre V8 engine, while the Stelvio has an engine capacity much closer to that of the BMW. Moreover, the Italian thoroughbred has a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine that gets by just fine with it. A straight-six in the X3 M is definitely impressive and a very precise 3.0 litre; nevertheless, they are incredibly comparable in performance. Even with the X3 M in Competition variant, it still rates the same as the Alfa with 503 horsepower.
The following race, on the other hand, isn’t between two standard vehicles. The two SUVs competing in this race have undergone extensive modifications. According to reports, the BMW can pump out about 700 horsepower. But, we can’t say for sure, as often the case with modified vehicles, it isn’t easy to estimate precisely how much power they generate. Besides, the Alfa was also tweaked, as seen by the video. Its fresh set of downpipes and a Stage 2 ECU tune should bring the power up to about 620 hp, theoretically.
Will that be enough to keep up with the BMW? As you’re about to see, not even close. Then, it was time for a 600 HP BMW F82 M4 to step into the ring. Only to get destroyed as well, despite being considerably lighter than the Stelvio. But could the new G80 M3 keep up? Let’s see.
The question is, is that enough to match the Bavarian’s powerful performance? I don’t want to give away spoilers, but let’s just say it’s not even close. Then came the 600-hp BMW F82 M4, which although being much lighter than the Stelvio, it met the same fate. Could the new G80 M3 hold its own? The results will be interesting to watch.