New BMW X3 - Preliminary details inside
We have seen test vehicles earlier this year with minimal camouflage around Chennai. The X3 will take on the Audi Q5, Volvo XC60 and Land Rover Freelander2. We've heard that it will be priced under the Audi Q5. BMW will play the price card with the X3 as well.
Like the BMW X1, the X3 was also the segment first by BMW. It was presented as a concept at the Detroit Auto Show in 2003. Like the X1, the X3 is based on the 3 Series platform but has a bigger road presence than the X1.
Codenamed the F25, the 2011 BMW X3 has been majorly improved over the previous generation model.
The old X3 was a bit of a boredom with those silly spectacle headlamps. The new X3 gets a significantly new front fascia which is more aerodynamic and pleasing to the eye. You get the typical chrome finished kidney grill at the front with corona rings headlamps.
The side profile and the rear profile hasn’t been given notable changes.
On the powertrain front, India gets two diesel engines. There is no petrol option for the X3 (you read that in May on IndianAutosBlog.com) and with soaring petrol prices that is certainly an expected move. The two diesel options are:
1) xDrive 30d: A straight six-cylinder diesel producing 258 hp
2) xDrive20d: A four cylinder diesel producing 184 hp
Both the engines are mated to 8-speed automatic steptronic transmission.
On the inside, you get a typical no nonsense BMW interior that is simple and functional. You get beige leather seats and chocolate brown dashboard with wooden finish. You also get an 8.8 inch screen and second generation iDrive system.
The X3 will feature BMW’s efficient dynamic technologies such as brake regeneration and highly efficient aerodynamics to reduce wind drag. It will also feature some cool technologies such a BMW’s Damping Control, Performance Control and Electromechanical Power steering.
Make sure to visit IndianAutosBlog.com on 25th of August to get a full report on BMW X3.
BMW X3 Image Gallery
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