Right from beginning, the new BMW X3 has occupied the top slot among the competition by virtue of its compelling driving pleasure, convincing versatility and commanding presence anchored in high-calibre design and no-compromise premium quality. Now it’s time for this successful Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) is about to extend its lead even further on the efficiency front.
BMW announced today the X3 range will expand from autumn 2011 with the addition of the BMW X3 xDrive20i and the BMW X3 xDrive35d. The new BMW X3 lineup will thus come with a choice of three petrol engines and three diesel units spanning an output range of 184 hp to 313 hp. All-new engines featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology endow both models with a further optimised performance to fuel consumption ratio. Added to which, the BMW X3 exudes even more appeal thanks to a fine-tuned range of standard equipment and special options.
Let’s take these two new models separately.
Being a new entry-level model among the petrol variants the 2011 the BMW X3 Drive20i comes fitted with a newly developed 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit. The new engine’s BMW TwinPower Turbo technology includes a turbocharging system based on the twin-scroll principle, along with High Precision Injection direct petrol injection, Double-Vanos variable camshaft control and VALVETRONIC variable valve control. Here the new powerplant takes its lead from the technology package of the 225 kW/306 hp multi-award-winning six-in-line unit of the BMW X3 xDrive35i.
According to the manufacturer, thanks to the use of aluminium, the powerplant of the BMW X3 xDrive20i is particularly light in weight and reaches its peak output of 135 kW/184 hp at 4,800 rpm. Maximum torque of 270 Newton metres is already available at 1,250 rpm. This new model features a six-speed manual gearbox as standard with the option of an eight-speed automatic transmission. The standard range of BMW EfficientDynamics technology includes (in both versions), the Auto Start-Stop function, which automatically switches the engine off when the car is stationary at traffic lights or in congestion in order to avoid unnecessary fuel consumption when idling.
Being a top athlete with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology the new six-cylinder diesel come with the BMW X3 xDrive35d. The 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line unit with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology drums up peak output of 230 kW/313 hp, reached at 4,400 rpm, making the BMW X3 xDrive35d the most powerful variant in the SAV’s model range. With maximum torque of 630 Newton metres on tap from as low as 1,500 to 2,500 rpm, the new diesel engine also ensures impressive pulling power.
The BMW X3 xDrive35d also comes equipped as standard with the eight-speed automatic transmission including Auto Start-Stop.
According to the German car maker, the BMW TwinPower Turbo technology of the new all-aluminium unit comprises further advanced two-stage turbocharging (Variable Twin Turbo) and latest-generation common-rail direct injection.
Beside all these, for autumn 2011, the new BMW X3 range will also get extra special options, such as the automatic release of the electromechanical parking brake, and extended ange of mobility services from BMW ConnectedDrive. As an added option on the interior design front, the trim elements on the instrument panel can now also be specified in High-gloss Black.
Source: BMW
