BMW X3The timing of BMW’s launch to the media of their all-new X3 couldn’t have been better.Just as much of Britain was being hit by the first big snowfall of the winter, BMW presented their popular 4X4 Sports Activity Vehicle based on the Austrian ski resort of Solden.The roads in Austria were in perfect condition, with the scenic route from Innsbruck being driven entirely along dry, snow-cleared tarmac. On these smooth surfaces, the BMW demonstrated its excellent handling and steering qualities. Braking is first-class, and the six-speed manual gearbox excellent, too.The new X3 is equipped with EPS: electric power steering that is precise, nicely-weighted and fuel-efficient. Along with lively performance from the 184PS 2-litre diesel engine, once again here is a BMW that is fun to drive. BMW compares the X3’s performance with rivals such as Audi’s Q5 2.0 TDi and Land Rover’s Freelander 2.2 TD4 and by practically all measurements it leads the way. Apart from its power, it has 380 Nm of torque, with only the Freelander bettering this; it’s quickest to 62 mph, in 8.5 seconds; its top speed, although unlikely to be used, is 130 mph; with CO2 emissions just below 150g/km, its annual VED is £25 cheaper at £125; and its official combined fuel consumption rating is 50.4 mpg, about 5mpg better than the other cars. However, in practice, on a mix of autobahn and plenty of up-and-down mountain roads, the two cars I tried (same engine, manual and automatic) returned between 32 and 34 mpg. Having said that, a good three hours was spent, heating on, in first or second gear and long periods of idling, both me and the car, trying to hone my somewhat lacking snow-driving skills on BMW’s two specialised courses at about 8000 feet. Of these activities, one was a slalom, around which, after several practice runs, the stopwatch came out. The chief instructor went round in 57 seconds; I was nine seconds slower! However, not only was it tremendous fun, it could turn out to be an important lesson. There was also an off-road course with some quite severe gradients. Once again, another lesson, particularly in what to do if you manage to stop on a testing upward incline, could prove invaluable. (My co-driver this time, and the answer, if there’s space behind, is to put the car into neutral and allow the car to roll backwards using the Hill Descent Control; when you get back to a flat enough section you can start again, this time making sure you keep the revs up!).The test cars were all equipped with winter tyres by Pirelli. This is in line with BMW’s winter driving campaign. It’s the law in Austria and other European countries in any case, but is obviously a timely move. So far in the UK, more than 1200 BMW customers have had winter tyres/wheels fitted to their cars. The new X3 is extremely well-equipped with the latest safety and driving convenience technology: under the heading of Dynamic Stability Control, seven distinct systems look after braking, cornering, traction and stability. On the snow, the car was remarkably capable. Back in wintry Britain, the X3, on winter tyres, would be as safe a place as any in which to be travelling.The car’s interior, also brand-new of course, is particularly smart. It is a four- rather than five-seater; in the back seats, a third adult would have to have his feet either side of the transmission tunnel. But it is very comfortable for four, with Nevada leather upholstery, and the front seats are heated (if there’s any complaint about leather, it is that it can get cold).There are plenty of storage spaces and at the rear the boot is a very good size. On lifting its well-carpeted floor, the question is: where’s the spare? The X3, for people not familiar with BMW practice, is on run-flat tyres, backed up by TPWS (tyre puncture warning system).The new car is a few inches longer and slightly wider than its predecessor; it’s offered only with a two-litre diesel at present, with no petrol engines; it has the auto-stop function, even with the smooth optional eight-speed automatic gearbox variant; and it is generally more fully-equipped with standard features than the outgoing version, yet the car is actually cheaper by £115, at £30,490.Many mouth-watering options can be had, at a price, including upgrades of the satellite navigation/communications capability, but even as it is, the new X3 is quite some vehicle.Tom Scanlan – Dec 2010
BMW X3
The timing of BMW’s launch to the media of their all-
new X3 couldn’t have been better.
Just as much of Britain was being hit by the first big
snowfall of the winter, BMW presented their popular
4X4 Sports Activity Vehicle based on the Austrian ski
resort of Solden.
The roads in Austria were in perfect condition, with the
scenic route from Innsbruck being driven entirely along
dry, snow-cleared tarmac. On these smooth surfaces,
the BMW demonstrated
its excellent handling
and steering qualities.
Braking is first-class,
and the six-speed
manual gearbox
excellent, too.
The new X3 is equipped
with EPS: electric power
steering that is precise,
nicely-weighted and
fuel-efficient. Along with
lively performance from
the 184PS 2-litre diesel
engine, once again here
is a BMW that is fun to
drive. BMW compares
the X3’s performance
with rivals such as
Audi’s Q5 2.0 TDi and
Land Rover’s Freelander 2.2 TD4 and by practically all
measurements it leads the way. Apart from its power, it
has 380 Nm of torque, with only the Freelander
bettering this; it’s quickest to 62 mph, in 8.5 seconds; its
top speed, although unlikely to be used, is 130 mph;
with CO2 emissions just below 150g/km, its annual
VED is £25 cheaper at £125; and its official combined
fuel consumption rating is 50.4 mpg, about 5mpg better
than the other cars.
However, in practice, on a mix of autobahn and plenty
of up-and-down mountain roads, the two cars I tried
(same engine, manual and automatic) returned
between 32 and 34 mpg. Having said that, a good three
hours was spent, heating on, in first or second gear and
long periods of idling, both me and the car, trying to
hone my somewhat lacking snow-driving skills on
BMW’s two specialised courses at about 8000 feet.
Of these activities, one was a slalom, around which,
after several practice runs, the stopwatch came out.
The chief instructor went round in 57 seconds; I was
nine seconds slower! However, not only was it
tremendous fun, it could turn out to be an important
lesson. There was also an off-road course with some
quite severe gradients. Once again, another lesson,
particularly in what to do if you manage to stop on a
testing upward incline, could prove invaluable. (My co-
driver this time, and the answer, if there’s space behind,
is to put the car into neutral and allow the car to roll
backwards using the Hill Descent Control; when you get
back to a flat enough section you can start again, this
time making sure you keep the revs up!).
The test cars were all equipped with winter tyres by
Pirelli. This is in line with BMW’s winter driving campaign.
It’s the law in Austria and other European countries in
any case, but is obviously a timely move. So far in the
UK, more than 1200 BMW customers have had winter
tyres/wheels fitted to their cars.
The new X3 is extremely well-equipped with the latest
safety and driving convenience technology: under the
heading of Dynamic Stability Control, seven distinct
systems look after braking,
cornering, traction and
stability. On the snow, the
car was remarkably
capable. Back in wintry
Britain, the X3, on winter
tyres, would be as safe a
place as any in which to
be travelling.
The car’s interior, also
brand-new of course, is
particularly smart. It is a
four- rather than five-
seater; in the back seats, a
third adult would have to
have his feet either side of
the transmission tunnel.
But it is very comfortable
for four, with Nevada
leather upholstery, and the
front seats are heated (if there’s any complaint about
leather, it is that it can get cold).
There are plenty of storage spaces and at the rear the
boot is a very good size. On lifting its well-carpeted floor,
the question is: where’s the spare? The X3, for people
not familiar with BMW practice, is on run-flat tyres,
backed up by TPWS (tyre puncture warning system).
The new car is a few inches longer and slightly wider
than its predecessor; it’s offered only with a two-litre
diesel at present, with no petrol engines; it has the auto-
stop function, even with the smooth optional eight-speed
automatic gearbox variant; and it is generally more fully-
equipped with standard features than the outgoing
version, yet the car is actually cheaper by £115, at
£30,490.
Many mouth-watering options can be had, at a price,
including upgrades of the satellite
navigation/communications capability, but even as it is,
the new X3 is quite some vehicle.
Tom Scanlan – Dec 2010
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