Spartanburg, June 27, 2017 - the Munich-based company's US factory has just celebrated 25 years of BMW “made in the USA”, so the “basically birthday child” has to get to it. The new BMW X3 - a Bavarian success story and, as they value in Munich, an SAV - not an SUV. Okay – let’s leave the quibble to them. But whoever says “sport activity” also has to deliver sport.

BMW X4 M40i - the first impression

Not SUV, not SAV - just WTF

It is probably no coincidence when the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Bayern in South Carolina coincides with the world premiere of the new BMW X3. And it is no coincidence that they are not only the largest automobile exporter in the USA, but also have a modern performance center in addition to the birthplace of the X models. A little bit of asphalt for drifting, hopping, and scraping apex. There is also an off-road course with rubble, sand and water. Everything you need in the X model to be happy.

World premiere: touch, don't start

360 PS are hidden in the Quasi-M of X3. For the first time there is an M40i in the Bavarian “non-SUV” model range. So it's clear: He doesn't just want to take the kids to school, he wants to show off his 360 hp and 500 Nm. The world premiere as a framework for the first contact with the new model: Cleverly chosen - there is still a little driving fun behind the rather dry anniversary program. But the motto is: “Touch yes, leave on no.” There's still a bit of time until the X3's official press driving event, so it's time to "ride along".

My pilot on the first exit in the new sporty SAV flagship: Mike Renner. One of the instructors of the BMW Performance Driving School. I answer his question: “How much can I take” with an arrogant: “Rock it, Mike”.

Top 1: the sound

Mike smiles and looks at me immediately after starting the three-liter. He expects me to comment on the sound. The man can be helped. But a “not to bad” should be enough to start with. I'm aware of one thing: an in-line six is ​​awesome. And the 40i models are known for a “fine sound”. When idling, the engine still lacks a bit of power - that changes when Mike turns onto the handling course. Full power, at 4.000 revolutions, the new X3 M40i trumpets the break bell on the factory premises louder - more melodic anyway.

Top 2: The start

Well, from the passenger side, all cars are fast. It is clear that the 500 Nm are available and are effectively converted into propulsion by the all-wheel drive and the 8-speed automatic - even if you only hold the fear handles on the passenger side in your hand. Striking: The lack of focus with which the Turbo in-line six does its work.

Top 3: the handling

The obligatory 21-inch models, which are of course subject to an additional charge, are covered with P Zero and seem to tolerate the South Carolina heat well. You can only guess that over 1.8 tons have to be balanced here. It felt - purely felt - that Mike only meant well for me. From the passenger side, it seems as if the X3 is understeering very slightly - which is only logical - but it is also clear: there is something else going on. Although the trip with Mike was probably more than “over the limit” for the daily effort on the way to bringing the kids to school. The longer wheelbase doesn't seem to harm agility, but does it provide more long-distance comfort on the highway? Hard to notice as Mike waves the X3 over a blind ridge on the Performance Driving Center track.

BMW X3 M40i – “first contact”

No matter whether SUV or SAV. The mission of a BMW is always the same: to be part of the benchmark in terms of driving dynamics in its class. Point. Will he achieve that? He definitely feels like he's on the way there. But hey, it's always spectacular on the passenger side.

What else did I notice?

The new cockpit is reminiscent of the current five, what a miracle, and it is convincing. That the trunk is big enough also seems to be the case. And when it comes to processing, you also seem to want to crawl up to the benchmark Audi. The longer wheelbase creates a better feeling of space in row two. The fact that you can optionally be scented and the pointless display key is now available - well, it doesn't destroy the first date, but it doesn't score with me either. Air-conditioned seats in row 1 and a three-zone climate are better arguments, especially under the South Carolina sun. That the new windshield is also made of acoustic glass and is going into series production is well-intentioned. But the new front looks even better. In conjunction with the newly weighted kidney (thanks to Calvin Luk) and the full-LED headlights, the X3 looks modern, dominant and yet only slightly changed.

Does all of this give the previous success of the X3 another push? We will experience it - but first we look forward to a ride without Mike Renner and even behind the wheel - sorry Mike, but you still have all the other fine track tools there with you in the BMW Performance Driving School.