2007 BMW X3: First Look

Motoring Channel Staff - 28/June/2006

Munich, Germany — With a subtle new look and a range of more powerful diesel and petrol engines, BMW has released imagery and details of its new X3 compact luxury AWD. The updated 2007 models also feature improved ergonomics in an extensively revised cabin, new dashboard functions and more items elsewhere around the car. Sadly though, the super-powerful 3.0-litre twin turbo diesel that's offered in Europe won't be coming to Australia. Not immediately anyway.

The new version of the successful X3 range is expected to arrive in Australia early in 2007, where local BMW representatives nominate that specification and pricing will be announced closer to its launch date.

Visually, the BMW X3 maintains its rugged off-road looks and purposeful on-road stance that has established the premium SUV as one of the best vehicles in its class, featuringa the so-called “six-eyed look” that lends a purposeful air to the front of the car, made up of 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.

As mentioned, 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. 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, while galvanised metals on the door handles and switchgear of HVAC controls and exclusive leather and textile variants take the luxury vehicle further up market.

In Australia The X3 will be available with a new generation of in-line 6-cylinder petrol engines of 2.5-litre and 3.0-litre capacity. There's also a 3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbo diesel engine that generates a handy160kW and 480Nm, but the range-topping twin turbo diesel that's offered in Europe won't be available in Australia. The stunningly powerful 3.0-litre diesel features two turbochargers, compared to the current engine's single turbine. One is smaller, and beefs up torque at low engine speeds, while the larger turbo kicks at higher revs to provide scintillating performance. BMW's special diesel engine affords European specification X3's with a 0-100km/h time of 6.6 seconds, quicker than the range-topping petrol engine, which completes the same run in 7.5 seconds. Peak power forthe cutting-edge twin turbo diesel is 213kW (286hp) and peak torque is 580Nm, only 40Nm shy of the brand-new 911 Porsche Turbo.

BMW Australia will probably wait and see how the less exciting 160kW 3.0-litre single-turbo X3 sells before it decides to import the smashing diesel.

BMW Australia has developed three models of local consumption, including two 6-cylinder petrol models and the single diesel model. The new BMW X3 3.0si incorporates the most powerful version of the 3.0-litre 6-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 modest gains also made in the area of fuel economy.

The BMW X3 3.0si gains a substantial 30kW more power and 15Nm more torque over the 3.0i, while the 2.5si gains 19kW and 5Nm over the 2.5i.

BMW X3 2.5si: Manual (Auto – opt)

    - 2.5-litre 6-cylinder.

    - 160kW @ 6500rpm and 250Nm from 2750 through to 4250rpm.

    - Acceleration (0-100km/h) 8.5 seconds. Top speed 221 km/h.

    - Average fuel consumption (EU cycle) 9.9 litres per 100 kilometres.

BMW X3 3.0si: Automatic

    - 3.0-litre six-cylinder.

    - 200kW @ 6650rpm and 315Nm @ 2750rpm.

    - Acceleration (0-100km/h) 7.5 seconds. Top speed 228 km/h.

    - Average fuel consumption (EU cycle) 10.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

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 3.0d: Automatic

    - 3.0-litre six-cylinder.

    - 160kW @ 4000rpm and 480Nm from 1750rpm through to 2750rpm.

    - Acceleration (0-100km/h) 7.9 seconds. Top speed 210km/h.

    - Average fuel consumption (EU cycle) 8.6 litres per 100 kilometres.

The X3 3.0si and 3.0d will feature the new 6-speed Steptronic automatic transmission (available as an option for the 2.5si). Other features for the new BMW X3 are 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 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 (front:rear) 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. 

The luggage compartment cover conceals a load area of 480 litres and 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.

BMW claims that more than 260,000 X3 vehicles have been sold worldwide in two and a half years. The improved engines and revised interior and equipment levels in the new BMW X3 offer optimum conditions for the continuation of this success story and, with 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.