BMW enhances the X-factors

The second generation X3 uses design elements from the X1 and X5 to give it a more robust appearance. Photo / Supplied

BMW claims its second-generation X3 lifestyle vehicle will be capable of town and around fuel economy of 5.6 litres/100km (50mpg) when it goes on sale in New Zealand early next year.

It says the cleanest variant will have a CO2 exhaust emissions rating of 147g per kilometre, thanks partly to the use of stop/start technology and an eight-speed automatic gearbox developed by German specialist ZF.

The new all-wheel-drive X3 - sharper looking and bigger than the current car except height - picks up a host of technical features, including brake energy generation and Variable Damper Control, which allows drivers to adjust suspension settings.

Adjustable Electric Power Steering and Dynamic Stability Control further enhance the dynamic drive assisted by double-joint spring-strut front axles and a multi-link rear axle.

No word yet on which models BMW will launch first in New Zealand, but the entry-level xDrive20d example is expected to be powered by a 2-litre turbodiesel delivering 134kW and 380Nm of torque.

The top-end petrol model is likely to be the 1880kg xDrive35i, powered by BMW's 3-litre direct-injection turbocharged inline-six petrol engine, producing 225kW at 5800rpm and 400Nm from just 1300rpm.

This engine will be mated to the eight-speed auto box as standard, along with stop/start. It marks the first application of stop/start with an automatic gearbox and BMW straight-six engine.

The X3 uses design elements from the X1 and X5 to give it a more robust appearance. The longer (plus-79mm) and wider (plus-28mm) bodyshell allows for more interior room and wider door apertures. Overall height falls slightly (13mm) to 1661mm.

Luggage space is increased by 70 litres and can be expanded to 1600 litres (40 litres up on the current X3) when the rear seats, which split 60:40 or an optional 40:20:40, are folded flat.

BMW describes the design as a "dynamically stretched silhouette" that retains the character of its X models. The X3's dimensions move closer to the X5 in order to distance itself from X1. The X3's wheelbase, for example, has been extended by 15mm to 2795mm. Technical gadgetry including a heads up display and internet access will be made available thanks to BMW's ConnectedDrive system.

A 6.5-inch colour monitor and the latest generation of iDrive will be standard on all models although this can be upgraded to a class-leading 8.8-inch high-resolution screen in some markets if buyers opt for the Professional Multimedia package.

The X3's improved environmental performance is also, says BMW, boosted by the use of new lightweight components, low-rolling resistance tyres, "demand-controlled" ancillary components and an electric power steering (EPS) system, a first for BMW on an xDrive model.

Other chassis changes include a redeveloped suspension that sticks with a double-joint spring-strut axle at the front and combines this with a multi-link rear end.

The front/rear track has also increased over the current model, now at 1594/1610mm (xDrive35i) and 1616/1632mm (xDrive20d) respectively compared to the current X3's 1524/1542mm (and current 20d's 1538/1556mm).

Standard braking hardware includes 328/330mm front/rear ventilated disc brakes, all gripped by single-piston callipers. The xDrive35i runs on 18-inch alloy wheels with 245/50-section tyres, while the 20d uses 17-inch rims and 225/60 rubber.

Other standard items include electronic stability control, traction control, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), "rain brake support", hill-start assist, "adaptive brake compensation", hill-descent control and ABS brakes.