Triple-X! BMW unveils the new X3

MANILA, Philippines - Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC), the official local BMW importer and distributor, formally introduced to the Philippine market last week the all-new BMW X3. With a sticker price of P4.490 million, the new X3 SAV (“Sports Activity Vehicle” in BMW-speak) adds a new dimension to the pleasure of driving in its class by raising the benchmarks in agility, efficiency and driving comfort.

Style-wise, the body design of the new X3 conveys urban elegance and versatile agility, with elements from its larger X5 sibling at the front and styling cues from its X1 stable-mate at the rear. The combination of a flat front end and a high rear end produces, when viewed from the side, a dynamically formed wedge shape, underscoring the vehicle’s sporting characteristics. BMW’s familiar convex and concave surfaces are accentuated with distinctively structured lines.

Up front, the gaping forward-slanting BMW kidney grille, large headlights, a powerful-looking front apron and the distinctively contoured hood endows it with an assertive visage. Together with the round headlights, the fog lamps, which are positioned far towards the outside, form the light source arrangement that is characteristic of BMW X models. The upper edge of the headlights sports an accenting chrome trim, creating the focused look so typical of BMW vehicles.

The side view of the new X3 is also characterized by a unique interpretation of typical BMW X design features. These include the powerfully flared wheel arches and the short distance between the front axle and the instrument panel. The dynamic appearance of the silhouette is additionally accented by three character lines.

The rear end is characterized by horizontal lines, underlining the new X3’s robust character. Precisely sculpted lines and expressively modelled surfaces create attractive light and shadow effects while the taillights have a distinctive “T” shape that is characteristic of the BMW X3.

A generous and variable spatial concept, high-grade materials and a characteristic three-dimensional surface design provide the interior of the new BMW X3 with a modern, premium ambience and intelligent functionality. BMW-typical driver orientation is emphasized by the asymmetrically designed center console. The raised seating position, meanwhile, facilitates ingress and egress while optimizing the view of the surrounding traffic.

Both up front and at the rear, the five-seater BMW X3 has a multitude of large storage compartments, trays and cup holders. The rear seat offers outstanding comfort for travelling long distances. With a volume of between 550 and 1,600 liters, the luggage compartment and multi-configurability of the new X3 are the best in its class.

The new BMW X3, which comes in the xDrive20d model, now offers better performance and higher efficiency than any of its comparable rivals. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with aluminium crankcase and common-rail direct injection (CRDi), delivering a maximum power output of 184 hp at 4,000 rpm and peak torque of 380 Nm from as low as 1,750 to 2,750 rpm. The engine develops sufficient power to allow the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 210 km/h.

With an average fuel consumption of 5.6 litres/100 km under EU standards, the BMW X3 xDrive20d establishes a new benchmark for efficiency in this vehicle segment. It is also compliant with the ultra-stringent EU5 emissions standard.

The BMW X3 xDrive20d comes standard with a class-leading eight-speed automatic transmission, which is combined for the first time with an Auto-Start/Stop function. When stopping at intersections or in a traffic jam, the engine is automatically switched off. Furthermore, the equipment featured in all models, which include brake energy regeneration, electric power steering, demand-controlled ancillary components, intelligent lightweight construction, and tires with reduced rolling resistance contribute towards lowering fuel consumption and exhaust emission levels.

The new X3 comes with BMW’s permanent four-wheel drive xDrive technology as standard. Its electronic control unit, which is interlinked with the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), counteracts slippage, oversteer and understeer intelligently and instantaneously.

The X3 also features a completely redeveloped suspension. The combination of a double-joint spring-strut axle at the front and a five-link rear axle offers, in conjunction with a widened track (92 mm wider than its predecessor’s), the ideal prerequisites for optimizing responsive handling and driving comfort. Electric power steering, including the Servotronic function for speed-dependent power steering assist, is incorporated in all models of the BMW X3 for the first time and contributes significantly to precise handling.

Like all BMW X models, the new BMW X3 boasts an extremely torsion-resistant body, precisely defined support structures and large deformation zones. The safety equipment package comprises front and pelvic thorax airbags, side curtain head airbags, three-point automatic seatbelts on all seats, belt force-limiters, belt latch tensioners, and crash-active front headrests as well as ISOFIX child seat mounts in the rear compartment.

The new BMW X3 is produced at the BMW Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, USA in accordance with stringent BMW Group quality standards. The Spartanburg plant, which also produces the BMW X5 and BMW X6 models, has become the competence center for BMW X models within the BMW Group’s worldwide production network.