Launched BMW X3
3rd Time a Charm The aspect of the new BMW X3 that impressed me most was the new eight speed auto gearbox. It is possible that other highlights would have revealed themselves given different circumstances, and when it is released in South Africa next month we will let you know.
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, however, was driving BMW’s mid-size SUV in Atlanta, Georgia and a US State Trooper is a fearsome thing, I was determined not meet one under the wrong circumstances. There are currently two engine variants, the BMW X3 xDrive20d with a four-cylinder diesel engine and the BMW X3 xDrive35i. A BMW X3 xDrive30d Automatic will be launched in July next year. It was the straight-six 225kW petrol engine X3 xDrive35i derivative that we drove. It is matched as standard to the eight-speed box that so impressed. The whole drivetrain is silky smooth and allowed the luxurious appointments to be enjoyed to the full. With 400 Nm of torque available the gearbox appeared unfazed by anything we demanded of it and slipped between cogs unno-
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ticed. BMW claim a 0 – 100 km/h acceleration time of 5.7 seconds, which is an indication of just how unpleasant an encounter with a State Trooper could have been. Top speed is a Alcatraz taunting 245 km/h, with the only hope for leniency being the 8.8 litres per 100km, fuel consumption and 204 g/km CO² emission. The four cylinder diesel in the new BMW X3 xDrive20d has a maximum output of 135 kW and torque of 380 Nm. Claimed fuel consumption is 5.6 litres per 100 km. This is still good for an 8.5 second 0-100 km/h time and a top speed of 210 km/h. Although a six - speed manual gearbox is standard, the eight - speed auto is an option. Also as an option, the new BMW X3 xDrive35i comes with a sports automatic transmission with shift paddles on the steering wheel.
The automatic transmission is combined for the first time with an Auto Start Stop function. When stopping at road junctions or in a traffic jam, the engine is automatically switched off. The Auto Start Stop function is also a standard feature in the X3 xDrive20d with manual gearbox. However manual versions will not be launched locally this year. Other concessions to the environmental lobby are brake energy regeneration, EPS Electric Power Steering, demand-controlled ancillary components, lightweight construction and tyres with reduced rolling resistance. Obviously the new BMW X3 comes with permanent four-wheel drive technology, the X in BMW xDrive. This four wheel drive technology is probably more significant in this guise as safety rather than off-road technology. The electronically controlled system ensures variable distribution