- New advanced magnesium aluminium VALVETRONIC petrol engines with added
power, performance and economy.
- High-quality revised interior and face-lifted exterior.
- Three models: 2.5si, 3.0si and 3.0d.
- New six-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox.
BMW has refined and re-invigorated its performance-orientated X3 range, with
improved ergonomics, extensively revised cabin and dashboard functions, as well
as offering advanced new magnesium aluminium VALVETRONIC six-cylinder petrol
engines.
Offering the free-revving performance and smoothness as well as the
exceptionally low weight and exemplary efficiency so typical of BMW, the new
top-of-the-range 3.0si straight-six, one of the most advanced engines of its
type in the world, will endow the new X3 with sports car performance and a power
output higher than any other 3.0-litre in the BMW family.
Even so, fuel consumption for the new petrol straight-six has improved by an
impressive 15 per cent while the 3.0d model continues to boast a combined fuel
consumption figure of 8.6 litres per 100 km.
The updated BMW X3 builds on the success of its predecessor which has proved
itself to be a real high flier around the world, becoming one of the most
popular all-wheel-drive vehicles in its segment in many countries.
More than 260,000 X3 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) have been sold worldwide
in two and a half years and this impressive success story has enabled BMW to
sell more all-wheel-drive cars worldwide last year than any other manufacturer
in the premium segment.
Visually, the BMW X3 maintains its rugged off-road looks and purposeful
on-road stance that has established the premium SAV as a leader in its class,
combined with even more efficient drive systems. The BMW X3 features new
headlight and rear lights as well as re-profiled colour-coded bumpers with
deep-set fog lights.
The cabin has been extensively upgraded with a redesigned instrument panel,
new steering wheel, centre console, seats, revised trim levels and a new roof
lining, as well as improved storage compartments. In addition, all models will
be equipped with Bluetooth mobile phone preparation.
The BMW X3 has been given a subtle, yet comprehensive styling makeover at the
front and rear. Front and rear bumpers are split into two levels, finished in
body colour, with the more intentionally exposed protective elements made of
robust black plastic.
Four new exterior colours are included in the updated specification including
Crimson Red, Platinum Bronze, Monaco Blue and Montego Blue. In addition, a fifth
interior colour scheme has been added to the already impressive standard
interior leather and trims combinations.
Customers can team their choice of leather upholstery with interior trims in
either brushed aluminium, fine wood in poplar grain grey, ash grain or poplar
grain light.
A striking feature of the X models is the so-called “six-eyed look” that
lends a purposeful air to the front of the car, featuring new double circular
headlights with redesigned reflectors behind clear glass.
Significantly, the BMW kidney grille has been increased in size and is now a
very distinctive visual feature of the front of the car. At the rear the new
light assemblies are covered with clear glass over horizontal rods of light fed
by LEDs to ensure a striking night design, but also serve as an eye-catching
feature of the new BMW X3 in daylight.
The rear profile of the BMW X3 boasts dominant horizontal lines that continue
from the tailgate right down to the bumper, underscoring the car’s powerful
appearance. From the side, a striking lower design line emphasises a discreet
wedge-shape and ties in with both the front and rear aprons.
Importantly too, the BMW X3 cabin has been upgraded with high-quality
materials. The instrument panel has a new décor strip that matches in colour and
material with the decorative surfaces of the centre console. Galvanised metals
on the door handles and switchgear of the air temperature control system,
exclusive leather and textile variants, a high-quality colour scheme and new
designs for the roof lining as well as plastic surfaces with a high-class
texture clearly reflect the character of the robust, yet elegant interior.
BMW designers have also addressed the need for additional storage areas, with
more spacious storage in the door trims. There is also a new three-spoke
steering wheel design.
The X3 will be available with a new generation of in-line six-cylinder petrol
engines of 2.5-litre and 3.0-litre capacity.
The new BMW X3 3.0si incorporates the most powerful version of the 3.0-litre
six-cylinder engine so far, with a reputation for smooth running, reliability
and performance.
Significantly, both the new BMW X3 2.5si and the 3.0si boast more power and
torque than the previous BMW X3 2.5i and 3.0i six-cylinder engines, with gains
also made in the area of fuel economy.
The BMW X3 3.0si gains a substantial 30 kW more power and 15 Nm more torque
over the 3.0i, while the 2.5si gains 19 kW and 5 Nm over the 2.5i.
The BMW X3 3.0si accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in only 7.5 seconds and
reaches a top speed of 210 km/h. With average fuel consumption in the EU cycle
of 10.3 litres per 100 km, it offers exemplary economy for this class.
The corresponding performance of the BMW X3 2.5si is just as impressive. It
reaches the 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and has a top speed of 210 km/h. The average
fuel consumption is 9.9 litres per 100 km (EU cycle).
Both the 2.5si six-cylinder and 3.0si six-cylinder are equipped with a
magnesium-aluminium composite crankcase, the variable valve-control VALVETRONIC
and an electric water pump with demand-based control. As they weigh just 165 kg,
they also contribute to the well-balanced axle-load distribution and outstanding
driving dynamics.
Apart from the new petrol six-cylinder engines, the BMW X3 is also available
with a light-weight in-line 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel. The BMW X3 3.0d
boasts the latest-generation Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG) turbocharger,
all-aluminium crankcase, common-rail injection with piezo injectors and
oxidation catalytic converter. BMW X3 2.5si: Manual (Auto – opt).
2.5-litre six-cylinder.
160 kW
at 6,500 rpm and 250 Nm from 2,750.
Acceleration (0-100km/h): 8.5 (8.9)
seconds.
Top speed 210 km/h.
Average fuel consumption (EU combined
cycle): 9.9 (10.1) litres per 100 km.
BMW X3 3.0si: Automatic.
3.0-litre six-cylinder.
200 kW at
6,600 rpm and 315 Nm at 2,750 rpm.
Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 7.5 seconds.
Top speed 210 km/h.
Average fuel consumption (EU combined cycle): 10.3
litres per 100 km.
BMW X3 3.0d: Automatic.
3.0-litre six-cylinder.
160 kW at 4,000
rpm and 480 Nm from 1,750 rpm.
Acceleration (0-100km/h): 7.9 seconds.
Top
speed 210 km/h.
Average fuel consumption (EU cycle): 8.6 litres per 100
km.
The X3 3.0si and 3.0d will feature the new six-speed Steptronic automatic
transmission (available as an option for the 2.5si). The new transmission offers
improved shift dynamics while the expected BMW passive and active safety systems
are at the ready.
The BMW X3 offers Automatic Stability Control and Traction (ASC-X), Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC), Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC),
Automatic Slip Control (ASC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), increased braking
readiness, fade compensation, dry brake function and Hill Descent Control (HDC).
One of the newest developments in the BMW X3 is a new parallel networking of
the permanent, intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system with DSC and engine
control through Integrated Chassis Management (ICM).
The superb BMW intelligent permanent xDrive all-wheel-drive system, with
variable and proactive torque distribution between the front and rear axles,
carries over into the new BMW X3 range. In normal driving situations the torque
is distributed 40:60 but can also be varied automatically between 50:50 and
0:100 for the best possible driving stability, dynamics and traction.
In special situations, up to 100 per cent of the engine torque can be
directed briefly to the front axle. A differential locking function is activated
with xDrive by selective application of the brakes on the wheel that’s spinning.
To help avoid rear-end collisions, the new BMW X3 is also equipped with an
LED brake force display. In the case of particularly heavy braking and if the
ABS is activated, the light-emitting surface of the brake lights at the rear of
the BMW X3 increases.
As well as front and side airbags, the interior also has side curtain
head-level airbags as part of the standard equipment. The BMW X3 is equipped
with three-point automatic seat belts on all five seats. The restraint systems
have seat belt force limiters and the front seats have seatbelt pre-tensioners
as well.
Overall dimensions remain largely unchanged. The new BMW X3 is 4,569 mm long,
1,853 mm wide and 1,674 mm high. As the more compact member of the SAV model
family from BMW, the BMW X3 provides superb agility and ease of handling while
its cabin is spacious and flexible. The luggage compartment cover conceals a
load area of 480 litres.
The large tailgate that swings up high and has a low load edge also make it
easier to accommodate cumbersome goods. When the asymmetrically split rear bench
seat has been folded back, the rear section boasts a maximum storage volume of
1,560 litres. Chassis.
Intelligent permanent all-wheel drive: BMW xDrive.
To aid performance
and safety, the new BMW X3 features the very latest stability control system
allied to xDrive, BMW’s unique four-wheel-drive system. xDrive comprises two key
ingredients - an electrically activated multiple-plate clutch which changes
drive distribution from axle-to-axle, and the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
system that regulates power to each wheel. Responding in just 100 milliseconds,
xDrive reacts more quickly than more conventional four-wheel-drive systems.
The intelligence of xDrive comes from the DSC stability control system, which
delivers vehicle data including individual wheel speed, steering angle, lateral
acceleration and yaw rates. By constantly processing this information, xDrive is
able to detect situations in which traction loss is likely and, in an instant,
transfer drive to the specific wheels with the most traction.
DSC can intervene but, because of xDrive’s ability to re-direct power and
prevent traction loss, interventions are far less frequent and only happen in
extreme circumstances. Where traction loss is unavoidable, DSC cuts power and,
if necessary, applies brakes to individual wheels allowing the car to regain a
foothold, but not necessarily slowing the progress.
In normal driving situations, the drive torque is distributed in the ratio of
40:60 between the front and the rear wheels. xDrive can also vary torque between
front and rear axles depending on the driving conditions and can distributed
drive torque briefly to one axle in extreme conditions.
The BMW X3 can also react quickly to any tendency to oversteer during
high-speed cornering. The multi-plate clutch is more strongly closed to direct
additional power to the front wheels and to optimise the driving stability. In
this way, up to 75 per cent of the torque can be transmitted to the front axle
during extreme oversteering vehicle response.
xDrive predicts a loss of traction rather than reacting to it, which enables
the car to use intelligently distributed power and drive to negotiate rough
terrain or exploit enthusiastic driving. The result of this advanced system is a
vehicle that offers a superior four-wheel-drive system for unsurpassed on-road
dynamics while still being capable off-road.
Integrated Chassis Management.
To guarantee these high-speed precise
reactions, the xDrive all-wheel system, the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and
the engine control system are networked with one another via the Integrated
Chassis Management (ICM).
The sensors of the suspension control also supply the control unit of the
xDrive with the data required to determine the current driving situation. This
enables xDrive to pro-actively stabilised the vehicle to a certain extent.
Slip is detected and prevented, even before the affected wheels start to spin
and become noticeable for the driver or any greater instability occurs. If there
is a change in the power distribution brought about by the xDrive that is no
longer sufficient to optimise the driving stability, then DSC intervenes with
braking actions on individual wheels and by influencing the engine control
system.
The new control structure of the Integrated Chassis Management ensures an
even faster and more precise co-ordination between the xDrive and DSC. Until
now, engine and brake management influenced the self-steering characteristics of
the vehicle almost independently of the longitudinal torque management, so the
three regulating circuits now operate in parallel.
The exact networking with the DSC, the xDrive all-wheel system enables a
rapid and precise reaction to changed driving situations and, therefore, even
more driving dynamics.
The new DSC not only provides for driving stability and traction, it also
optimises the overall performance of the braking system. It compensates for any
drop in braking effort with a selective increase in braking pressure while also
offering advanced application of the brake pads in readiness for spontaneous
braking.
Regular dry braking optimises the efficiency in wet conditions and the
Dynamic Braking Control (DBC) function automatically maximises the brake
pressure when exceptional braking is required. In addition, a hill hold function
eases moving away on inclines. Safety.
For the first time on a BMW X model, BMW’s innovative Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC) system comes with additional features fitted as standard to
further enhance safety:
Brake Pre-tensioning shortens stopping distances during an emergency
stop by priming the brakes should the driver lift off the accelerator sharply in
preparation.
Brake Drying improves braking performance in the wet by periodically
applying the brake pads to scrub away the film of water that can build up on the
brake discs.
Hill Start Assistant allows a manual transmission car to pull away
smoothly on a gradient without rolling backwards, courtesy of the brakes being
held for the short time it takes the driver to apply the accelerator after
releasing the foot or handbrake.
Brake Fade Compensation applies additional braking without any extra
effort from the driver should sensors detect that the brake pads are starting to
lose ‘bite’ due to heat build up.
In another first on an X model, the driver will now be able to select the
Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) function of DSC. DTC allows for a greater degree
of wheel slip for more spirited driving without the traction control safety net
intervening. This option can be selected via a button on the centre console. For
those needing to tow a trailer or caravan the BMW X3 is equipped with Trailer
Stability Control for safer driving. When connected to the trailer or caravan,
DSC can counteract the effects that could lead to an unstable trailer and the
resulting accident.
All BMW X3s also come as standard with six airbags – dual stage front
airbags, side airbags and curtain airbags – seatbelt pre-tensioners, ABS, all
round disc brakes and Brake Force Display to warn drivers behind that the X3
driver is braking sharply.
The improved engines and revised interior and equipment levels in the new BMW
X3 offer optimum conditions for the continuation of this success story. With its
exceptional driving dynamics, a new design and modified interior, it will appeal
to those enthusiasts seeking an exceptional driving experience in association
with a robust, agile and extremely versatile vehicle.
The new BMW X3 offers multi-faceted driving pleasure of the highest calibre.
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