New BMW X3: first pics and details
16.07.2010 - Stuart Milne
(22)
The new BMW X3 small off-roader will have the lowest emissions of its 4x4 rivals when it goes on sale later this year.
BMW says its Land Rover Freelander rival will "set a new benchmark" and will be the first time in its class a fuel-saving start-stop system has been mated to an automatic gearbox. This helps reduce CO2 emissions to just 147g/km and improves fuel economy to more than 50mpg.
The new BMW X3 has revised styling inside and out and the latest-generation iDrive infotainment control system, mated to an 8.8-inch screen - the largest in its class.
Equipped with a 2-litre diesel engine, the X3 XDrive20d offers impressive performance, with an 8.5 second 0-62mph time and a 130mph top speed. BMW expects this engine to account for around 80 per cent of sales in the UK once other engines are announced in the coming months.
Mated to a manual gearbox, the X3 XDrive20d will emit 149g/km of CO2, but this drops to 147g/km with an optional eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Variable damper control is offered on the X3 for the first time, meaning the dampers can adapt to differing road conditions and driving style, to balance comfort with sharp handling.
The X3 XDrive20d is priced at £30,490 - £115 less than the outgoing model - and is fitted with leather upholstery, dual-zone air conditioning and iDrive with colour screen as standard.
