This is the new generation of BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle for 2011, and it’s enhanced in every way over the previous model. It’s bigger, more practical, more functional, better equipped, and above all it’s much more efficient than its predecessor. But my God it’s ugly! The back is alright, but the front-end is a total mess. It seems to be designed by someone who just wanted to finish this and go home. It’s got no passion, no character. It’s just some lines!
So as far as design matters, it’s even worse than the current X3. But maybe it redeems itself in terms of technicalities.
As for the interior, the layout is more or less the same as all the other BMWs, but it gets latest generation iDrive, with 6.5-inch screen as standard. You can also order the 8.5-inch navigation screen. Obviously it comes with folding and 40 : 20 : 40-split rear seat backrests and as a result it offers up to 1,600 liters of cargo space. Some of the unique options for the X3 includes Head-up Display, Internet access, reversing camera with Top View.
The old X3 was a good car on the road, because it was just a jacked-up BMW saloon, but it was really rubbish off it. The new one is also based on the same sort of foundation, but it comes with improved suspension system with optional Damper Control, Dynamic Drive Control, and Performance Control.
Four-wheel drive technology BMW xDrive is also standard on all models. So if anything, it will be even better as a road car, but for the offroad capabilities we should wait until it faces some real-world testing.
The 2011 X3 also gets electric power steering featured for the first time in a BMW X model, and variable sports steering as an option. Other new features include eight-speed automatic transmission, and the addition of auto start/stop system to all models.
At launch the X3 will be available with two engines, a four-cylinder diesel engine with 135 kW/184 bhp and the famous straight six-cylinder petrol engine with 225 kW/306 bhp. Thanks to BMW’s EfficientDynamics, and indeed the new start/stop system, both powertrains are light on fuel and have very good CO2 rating and comply with Euro 5 standards.
• Engine variants:
BMW X3 xDrive20d: Straight four-cylinder diesel engine with aluminium crankcase, turbocharger and Common Rail direct injection,
displacement: 1,995 cc, power output: 135 kW/184 bhp at 4,000 rpm, max. torque: 380 Nm at 1,750 – 2,750 rpm,
acceleration [0 – 100 km/h]: 8.5 seconds,
top speed: 210 km/h,
average fuel consumption according to EU: 5.6 litres/100 km,
CO2 emission according to EU: 149 g/km,
exhaust emission standard: EU5.
BMW X3 xDrive35i: Straight six-cylinder petrol engine with
BMW TwinPower Turbo, direct injection and VALVETRONIC,
displacement: 2,979 cc, power output: 225 kW/306 bhp at 5,800 rpm,
max. torque: 400 Nm at 1,300 rpm,
acceleration [0 – 100 km/h]: 5.7 seconds,
top speed: 245 km/h,
average fuel consumption according to EU: 8.8 litres/100 km,
CO2 emission according to EU: 204 g/km,
exhaust emission standard: EU5.
