- All reasons: Functional, practical, attractive, luxurious, safe
- All seasons: Spacious interior holds snow and surf boards
- All roads: xDrive delivers grip on all surfaces
- All action: Powered by the world’s best six-cylinder engines
BMW introduces the X3 Sports Activity Vehicle, the agile urban-friendly
adventure machine that brings BMW quality and excitement to the compact
all-terrain market.
Already a hit in Europe, X3 production was increased 33 percent to 400 units
a day to cope with demand from newly opened markets.
Sized to suit city-based families as much as all-action, out-doors types, the
X3 is powered by two of the finest six-cylinder engines in the world. Matching
unprecedented dynamic driving to BMW luxury and technical innovation, the
all-wheel drive X3 creates its own market niche.
The five-door, five-seater X3 comes with a highly flexible interior with
plenty of stowage space, the usual high level of standard BMW specification as
well as a tempting selection of unique options. These include the full-size
Panorama Roof, Adaptive (Bi-Xenon) headlamps, and a Sport package that raises
top speed to 221 km/h.
Aluminium running boards, 17 and 18-inch light alloy wheels, electric front
seats, sports seats, heated seats, satellite navigation and TV monitor, voice
activated controls, and a professional quality HiFi system can all be specified
by customers.
The familiar 2.5-litre straight six drives the X3, generating 141 kW of power
at 6,000 rpm and 245 Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm. The X3 2.5i races to 100 km/h in
8.9 seconds (9.8 seconds automatic) and has a top speed of 208 km/h. This famed
engine was reconfirmed as the Best Engine in the World in its class at last
month’s Engine Oscars.
The X3 3.0i engine produces 170 kW of power at 5,900 rpm and 300 Nm of torque
at 3,500 rpm. It reaches 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds and has a top speed of 210km/h
(221km/h fitted with Sport package).
The X3 delivers a typically exhilarating BMW dynamic driving experience
backed by the latest xDrive transmission system. This guarantees infinitely
variable torque split between front and rear wheels, meaning the wheels with
most grip get the most power. Traction is delivered under all conditions, and
xDrive works to neutralise tendencies to understeer or oversteer in fast
cornering.
The xDrive system is assisted further by a wide range of standard BMW
electronic chassis safety systems such as Dynamic Stability Control III,
anti-lock brakes, Dynamic Brake Control, Automatic Differential Brake, Hill
Descent Control and Cornering Brake Control.
Standard equipment includes ten airbags, multi-function leather-wrapped
steering wheel with cruise control, 17-inch light alloy wheels, roof rails, rain
sensor and automatic headlight control, fog lights, climate control air
conditioning, on board computer, and CD radio.
The X3 2.5i comes with either a six-speed manual or a five-speed Steptronic
automatic transmission that offers the sporting option of manual sequential
changing. The X3 2.5i manual is priced at $65,300 while the automatic is
$67,900.
The X3 3.0i comes only with the five-speed Steptronic automatic transmission
priced at $74,600.
“The X3 continues BMW’s all-new model offensive and creates a new niche. We
are convinced it has all the attributes that will appeal to the Australian
market, namely power, performance, traction, interior space and a high level of
appointments,” said John Kananghinis, General Manager of Marketing &
Communications, BMW Group Australia.
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