BMW X3’s continuous improvement
BMW’s latest X3 is a classic case of continuous improvement, writes Rob Maetzig.
Let’s get down to the nittygritty regarding the reasoning behind BMW’s compact SUV, the X3. Originally conceived back in
2003 and built off the platform of the 3-Series sedan, the point of the vehicle was for it to combine the agility of a medium-sized passenger car with the practicality of an SUV.
At that time BMW had already moved into the world of what it calls the SAV - as in Sports Activity Vehicle - with the larger X5, which had been developed in
1999 and shared a lot of componentry with the Range Rover HSE thanks to the fact that at that time BMW owned Land Rover.
Since then BMW has gone on to develop several more X vehicles, all so named because they all use an automatic all-wheel drive system called xDrive. At present they range from X1 through to X6, and it’s likely they will soon be joined by larger and more expensive X7 and X8 models.
Through all of this though, it has been the X5 and the X3 that have been the mainstays of the X lineup, with the X5 traditionally the biggest seller, primarily because it has been the larger and more luxurious of the two.
But here’s an interesting point. Even though BMW has carefully managed the sizes of the respective X models so they all can continue to hold their places in the BMW lineup without muscling in on each other’s marketing space, over the years they’ve all grown - and the X3 has grown to the extent that the latest version is now larger than the original X5.
And here’s another interesting point. When that first-generation X3 was launched internationally, the lineup included a 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol model that offered all of 110kW of power and 200Nm of torque. That was enough to let the BMW accelerate (or maybe that should be crawl) to 100kmh in 11.5 seconds. Hardly a grunt machine.
Fast-forward to 2018 and there’s a new third-generation model on sale, and the range includes a 30i which is actually powered by a 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol engine, which offers way more than that original model - this time it’s 185kW of power and 350Nm of torque.
This powerplant is a very impressive example of what the vehicle manufacturers are achieving these days with their smaller-capacity turbocharged petrol engines. The numbers with this TwinPower twin-scroll turbocharged unit tell the story its 185kW is impressive enough, but it is the 350 Newton metres that is notable. It’s available from just 1520rpm through to 4800rpm, which makes this particular X3 a flexible performer.
Obviously it doesn’t perform quite as well as the hero model of the new X3 range, the 3.0-litre M40i, but it is capable all the same. The 30i can accelerate to 100kmh in 6.3 seconds which is pretty impressive for any SUV of this size, its quoted average fuel consumption is an efficient 7.6L/100km, and the exhaust emissions are 174g/km of CO2.
The 30i will be the volume seller of the new X3 selection, even though it retails for $7000 more than the entry model, the dieselengined 20d - right now there’s a pretty substantial move away from anything powered by diesel engines in New Zealand.
The 30i price is $99,850 which is pretty well lineball with equivalent 2.0-litre petrol-engined product from Audi and MercedesBenz, the Q5 TFSI Sport and the GLC 250. In the fashion that is typical of any BMW purchase, our vehicle had $16,290 worth of optional equipment installed, including dynamic damper control that constantly adjusts damping to suit driving conditions and road quality.
The drive is nice, as should be expected of a vehicle of this status. But that new engine does combine well with the vehicle’s eight-speed Sports automatic transmission to make the X3 easy to operate. All versions of the X3 have xDrive, which is the BMW name for its allwheel drive system, and this helps provide secure ride and handling characteristics.
At cruise the engine is literally just ticking over, but when extra acceleration is needed there’s plenty of available torque from low down the revolutions banmd. Things can get a little raspy when the engine is working really hard, but it’s still OK.
Among the optional extras fitted to our test vehicle were lumbar support for those in the front seats, sun protection glazing, and a $4900 vision and sound package that includes a panorama glass sunroof, a Harman Kardon surround sound system system, and gesture control which lets you swipe your hand in front of the audio system to control such things as volume.
It all added to a pleasant few days behind the wheel of a fine new BMW SUV.
And you know something I especially liked? An electrically folding towbar that usually sits under the rear apron where it is not only not visible, but also not there for me to belt my shin on. When the towbar is needed, it quickly folds out an can tow loads of up to 2400kg.
No doubt it will be the larger X5 that will continue to be the biggestselling BMW SAV in New Zealand. But the X3 now has a lot more to appeal. The top M40i is a real performance machine, the entry 20d offers diesel for those who want it, and the 30i is the model in the middle that covers the most bases - size, comfort, performance and most appealing price for its level of specification.
As such, it continues to offer what was intended with the original X3 of 2003 - combining the agility of a medium-sized passenger car with the practicality and high-riding benefits of an SUV.