With automakers cutting costs and downsizing their line-ups, now is the perfect time for automobile manufacturers to hype up their smaller offerings, like BMW’s compact crossover, the X3.
The CEO of BMW North America, Jim O’Donnell, announced in a recent interview, that the next generation BMW X3 will make its word debut this upcoming December. Production of the current model has already been slowed down in order to generate demand for the both the future X3 and X1 CUVs.
Compared with the current X3, the future BMW will have a lower roof line and even more rounded edges giving the vehicle a much sportier appearance. The next X3 will also be larger, measuring in at 4.65 meters long, 1.85 meters wide and 1.68 meters tall.
Under the hood BMW has found room for four different diesel engines and two gasoline burning ones. The new BMW X3’s biggest competition will come from other compact crossovers like the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLK. We will have to wait and see how the Bavarian automaker does at the end of this year.
BMW added today a new entry level to the X3 lineup for it’s European customers. The new X3 xDrive 18d is the most efficient model in the lineup, with a fuel consumption of 45.6 mpg and a CO2 emission of 165 g/km.
The new BMW X3 xDrive18d is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel that delivers 143 hp. The new BMW X3 xDrive18d accelerates from a standstill to 62 mph in just 10.3 seconds and has a top speed of 21 mph.
With the addition of the new engine, BMW is now offering a choice of three petrol-engine models with power output ranging from 150 hp to 272 hp and four diesel models culminating in the 286 hp BMW X3 xDrive35d as the most dynamic performer in the range.
Press release after the jump.
> More
BMW may be working on an actual M edition for the X5 and X6, but their little brother, the X3, doesn’t want to be left out. Like a good mother, BMW is going to make sure the little one gets to play along too, but it also knows the small X3 is just to little to handle the power of a big engine. That’s why the X3 gets to look like a Motorsport car.
It’s called the X3 Limited Sport Edition, and it includes 19-inch M alloy wheels, M leather steering wheel, sport seats and xenon headlights. This X3 also features M aerodynamic bodywork and a retuned suspension. The package is available across the X3 line for 2009. Starting at €7,250 for the X3 with 150 hp gas engine and topping out at €7,900 for the X3 xDrive35d (diesel).
BMW also knows better than to let its little one play too far from home, so the X3 Limited Sport Edition will likely be limited to Europe.
BMW will come to the Geneva Motor Show with the X3 xDrive20d emergency rescue vehicle. Powered by a 177 bhp engine, the X3 Rescue vehicle is the perfect choice in any medical rescue situations.
The exterior of the BMW X3 is in plain white, with contrasting reflective red film and red stripes on the sides and boot lid, and double strips on the bonnet, to render the vehicle’s special function visible even at a distance. To further increase its visibility, the car’s contour markings have integrated reflective gaps on the sides and at the bottom of the boot lid.
Naturally, like any emergency rescue vehicle, it is also fitted with a special roof-mounted alarm system, including a blue light, an electronic siren, and an LED display with the word NOTARZT ("emergency doctor").
> More
BMW added two new X3 special edition for the 2009 MY: the Editions Lifestyle and Exclusive. Starting autumn 2008 the BMW X3 will be available with no less than six different engines ranging from 150 hp all the way to 286 hp.
The 2.0-litre gasoline entry-level model will now be designated “BMW X3 xDrive20i”, and the most powerful diesel model driven by BMW’s 3.0-litre straight-six with Variable Twin Turbo will now bear the name “BMW X3 xDrive35d”.
The Edition Lifestyle highlights in particular the modern flair and sporting agility of the BMW X3. The vehicle comes with a wide range of paintwork colours made up of new Space Grey metallic and eight further colours. Additional highlights accentuating the impressive look of the Lifestyle model are 18-inch light-alloy rims in double-spoke design on the BMW X3 xDrive35d and, respectively, 17-inch V-spoke wheels on all other model variants.
The Edition Exclusive combines the sophisticated features so typical of the BMW X3 with particularly stylish flair and appearance. Outside, the new colour Mineral Green metallic exclusive to this Edition bears out these qualities in truly ideal style, with an alternative choice of no less than nine other paintwork colours.
> More
.
BMW will unveil the next generation X3 in 2010. It will compete with the Audi Q5 and the future Mercedes GLK.
To be built on the same 3-Series platform like the current model (but stretched and widened to help differentiate it from the 3-series wagon), the 2010 X3 will get an all-new exterior and new engines under the hood.
Under the hood we will see the same engine range with just a few exceptions. It is expected that the 2.5i version to be dropped just because 160 hp won’t be enough for a future SUV (we have to consider that the Infiniti EX has an output of 290 hp and the GLK starting from 228 hp). Instead BMW will add the powerful twin-turbo 3.0 liter engine used in the 335i.
BMW will unveil the next generation X3 in 2010 with sales to begin in 2011. It will be built on the same 3-Series platform like the current model, but it will get a new exterior inspired by the CS Concept.
The 2011 X3 will grow in length compared to the current model and it will feature higher quality materials in the interior. Also for the first time BMW will offer a hybrid version of its succesfful model.
BMw will offer six different versions: X3 2.0d, 177 hp; X3 2.0sd, 204 hp; X3 3.0d, 245 hp; X3 3.0sd, 299 hp; X3 2.5i, 231 hp; X3 3.0si, 306 hp.
The German magazine AutoBild also reports that the X1 will make its world debut in 2009. Like the future X3 it will be offered with a choice of gas, diesel and hybrid engines.
Euro NCAP today releases the results for the Suzuki Splash, Daihatsu Terios, Renault Kangoo, Citroën C5 and the BMW X3.
Of these results, only the Citroën C5 received five stars in adult occupant protection. Unlike the previous C5, the seat belt reminder system does not meet Euro NCAP’s requirements for the front passenger seat. With the ground-breaking technology for pedestrian protection that Citroen introduced with the C6, it was disappointing to see that the C5 only received two stars.
BMW X3 received only four starts in adult occupant protection, four starts in child protection and one star in pedestrian protection.
Very poor results were received by the pick-ups: Isuzu D-MAX/Rodeo with one star and a half, Nissan Navara half star; only Mitsubishi L200 received four stars.
As a successful race driver and team manager on the international stage, Herbert
Hartge applies motor sports technology know-how into each of his BMW-based vehicles. The reason a racy all-wheel-drive vehicle is now fully suitable for hunting on even the most challenging terrain situations, lies not only in the fact that he’s able to fall back on a wealth of gathered rallye sport experience: Herbert is truly an avid and passionate hunter
> More
Pages: 
8 comments
Picture Gallery
RSS -
Webmaster free news |
Linux Consulting