BMW X3 driving report
Power pack with field ambitions
Intended as a balancing act between X5 and X1, the X3 founded the mid-size SUV segment with its presentation at the IAA 2003. The less bulky X3 was sportier and more agile than its big brother X5. In the meantime, he will represent the Munich-based automobile manufacturer worldwide in the 3rd generation from autumn this year. More than 1,5 million vehicles of its type sold speak a clear language. A revised design, its already successful engine range and a further equipment line should continue to write the success story of the "small" SUV. The fact that he will also register more than just ambitions for his off-road capability will also be demonstrated in the third edition in customer use. In autumn 2017, the X3 will be available in the xLine, Sport and Luxury Line programs in BMW dealerships. With its smallest gasoline engine and its basic equipment, the X3 starts the race for good sales figures at a price of 44.000 euros.
Clearly positioned as a mid-size SUV
With the first launch of the "little brother" of the X5 in early 2004, the tasks of the compact SUV were clearly defined. It should create a connection between a robust off-road look and a dynamic vehicle with sporty ambitions. The engineers of the Bavarian automobile manufacturer did a great job, as more than 1,5 million units of the X3 went to its customers in the first two generations. Never tired of success, the X3, which is produced in North America, South Africa and China, will be in its 3rd generation this fall. Compared to its predecessor, the X3 was able to grow in almost all dimensions. 4,18 meters long, 1,90 meters wide, 1,68 meters high and 2,86 meters wheelbase make it very wide and massive on the road. At first glance, we see the short overhangs at the front and rear, which give the vehicle a weight distribution of 50:50. With its three-dimensional BMW double kidney grille and its customized aggressive headlights, its front offers an inherently sporty performance. This appearance runs across the side lines to the rear, which makes a lasting impression with the full-LED lights in three-dimensional look, the pulled-down roof spoiler and the double-sided tailpipes. 204 millimeters of ground clearance allow the compact SUV to effortlessly take more than just up and downhill terrain. The aerodynamically optimized roof presses its Cw-Value to 0,33, which clearly affects the consumption values. Unfortunately, the combined consumption value of the 3.0 M40i with 265 kW of 8,2 liters presented to us cannot be checked on the day of the event. For the first tests, we had vehicles for driving on the road as well as in rough terrain in the hinterland of Lisbon / Portugal.
M40i as the flagship
At the start of sales, the Bavarian presents itself with a range of engines consisting of two diesels and three petrol engines. For the first time, an M model in the X series serves as the flagship. The petrol engine xDrive20i with 135 kW (184 hp), the xDrive30i with 185 kW (252 hp) as well as the diesel xDrive20d with 150 kW (190 hp) and the xDrive30d with 195 kW (295 hp) with a further developed figure are combined - Steptronic transmission stages. The M model we drove on the roads on the Atlantic received a sporty gearbox due to its translations. The M40i is always on the winding roads and on the highways around Lisbon because of its torque of 500 Newton meters with violent violence. Nevertheless, its engines remain efficient thanks to the consistently implemented development strategy of EfficientDynamics on the X3, if you can trust the key figures of the manufacturer. But even banal things like optimization in lightweight construction lead there. The developers at BMW, for example, achieved a reduction in the total weight of up to 55 kilograms, adjusted for the equipment, by using more aluminum components in engine and chassis construction.
Interior functional and luxurious
In the interior, the test vehicles on site consistently demonstrate a picture of high-quality materials and processing quality as you would expect from a German "premium manufacturer". The sports seats of the M40i provide the appropriate hold and safety for every driving situation. The driver and front passenger as well as passengers in the rear enjoy seating comfort with large legroom. The high seating position, which of course also prevails in the X3, offers a comfortable all-round view. As with the outer dimensions, the trunk volume has been improved. Accordingly, the storage space holds 550 liters when fully seated. When the rear seats are folded down, 1.600 liters are sufficient for shopping at the hardware store. Its steering wheel is equipped with just as many controls that offer optimum comfort and yet do not make it appear overloaded. His round instruments in front of the steering wheel are digitized, but give the impression of analog times. The head-up display that appears above the steering wheel reflects functions of the driver assistance systems, speed display and / or navigation displays individually. In the middle of the dashboard, the touchscreen functions as a control center and function display at the same time. If desired, it can be controlled intuitively with finger and hand gestures. BMW optionally provides a language assistant that accepts its commands in everyday language and then implements them accordingly. A further development of the BMW ConnectedDrive is integrated in the screen. The functions of the smartphone are shown on the display on the basis of a flexible platform, the Open Mobility Cloud.
Driver assistance systems also for off-road
When it comes to safety and driver assistance systems, everything at BMW is geared towards partially autonomous driving. The Munich-based manufacturer summarizes its constantly evolving systems under the term “BMW Personal Co-Pilot”. This includes the latest generation of an adaptive cruise control system, Active Cruise Control (ACC), which, among other things, brakes the vehicle to a standstill in slow traffic and allows it to start again automatically. Also in the optionally available package are a steering and lane guidance assistant that works with active steering interventions, a lane change and lane departure warning with side collision protection as well as the right of way, wrong-way and cross traffic warning. For off-road use, the X3 also has the hill descent assistant, which only requires the driver to steer. The speed and deceleration of the vehicle is regulated by presetting the km / h.
Productions also in South Africa and China
His detailed price list was already available to us at the event. The first vehicles will also be delivered to its customers in autumn this year. From January 2018, those who are keen to buy will also be supplied with vehicles from production in South Africa and China, which in no way neglects its quality. The X3 starts with the smallest petrol engine and the basic equipment at 44.000 euros. The upper end of the conventional X3 models is the more powerful diesel and the equipment "M Sport Advantage" at 62.000 euros. The M40i as the flagship starts at 66.300 euros.
And finally ... The X3's sales arguments will provide driving pleasure and good value. Both the more demanding customer, the off-road driver and the young family will find their premium compact SUV. The yardstick for safety and driver assistance systems as well as drive variants put the X3 at the top of our personally managed list in its segment.
The new BMW X3 raises the bar of premium SUVs a whole lot higher and, as we believe, takes the lead.
Text: Stefan Beckmann, Beitragsbild: Manufacturer Picture: Stefan Beckmann and Wolfgang Groeger-Meier