BMW's Smallest SUV: the X3

Anthony Fontanelle
May 24, 2007

Sport utility vehicles have been known for their size and off-road driving capabilities. But not all SUVs are big as BMW has proved when they unveiled the X3 at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show.

After the small SUV came into production for the said year, BMW marketed it as a Sports Activity Vehicle. The vehicle not only has the versatility of an SUV but it also has the luxurious reputation that BMW has. While the X3 is priced more than the popular BMW 3 Series, its sportier appearance and capabilities justify its price tag. The X3 joined its larger sibling, the X5, as BMW’s answer to those car buyers who are looking for SUVs not for serious off-road driving but for everyday transportation.

The BMW X3 is doing well in the market even though the increasing price of gasoline has forced car buyers away from SUVs. But while the X3 may be accepted very well by consumers, BMW see it fit to improve the vehicle for it to remain a serious competitor in its segment. Initially, the X3 is offered with two engine options - a 2.5 liter unit and a 3.0-liter gasoline engine. For the previous year’s mode though, BMW only offered one engine - a 3.0-liter engine for the X3 3.0i. For the current model year, BMW is offering the X3 3.0si. The powerplant of the said SUV model is a 3.0-liter aluminum/magnesium Valvetronic inline six-cylinder engine. This engine can produce as much as 260 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. The maximum torque output of the engine can be attained at 2,750 revs per minute.

The power of the engine is transferred to the driver wheel through a wide array of powertrain parts such as BMW CV joints, axles, and other similar components. Transmission can either be a Steptronic six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. Acceleration, according to BMW, is quicker for this year’s X3 as compared to its predecessor. With the automatic transmission, the X3 can reach 60 miles per hour from a standstill in just 7.1 seconds. Meanwhile, if the X3 is equipped with the manual gearbox, it can achieve 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 6.9 seconds.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Environmental Protection agency gave the BMW X3 a 19 mpg rating for city driving and 26 mpg on highway cruises.

As far as performance is concerned, the X3 embodies the driving pleasure philosophy that BMW is known for. Auto journalists who have tested the X3 claim that the vehicle provides a good traction thus making it easy to handle. This good handling is further complemented by its good suspension settings. Overall, the X3 went under a good redesign from the German car manufacturer.

Source:  Amazines.com