“When hell freezes over” took on a new meaning when BMW launched its new X3 recently.
We were headed toward Die Hell: desolate, almost abandoned farmland high up in the Cape’s Swartberg mountains, and the snow-capped peaks had put an icy chill on the proceedings.
But, the X3 was having little trouble dealing with mother nature. The tight, twisting curves of the stunningly beautiful Meiringspoort pass rarely slowed our pace.
The X3 differs very little in shape, design and size from the slightly larger X5. It is a mere 102mm shorter, 19mm narrower and 41mm lower, so the tale of the tape tells little.
Where it does differ largely is the diet BMW’s design team afforded the X3 at the health farm, and it tips the scales at about 255kg less than its larger brother. This weight saving, coupled with its high-tech xDrive system, makes the X3 easy to handle.
The X3 is available with two petrol engines: a 2,5 litre, which develops 141kW at 6 000rpm; and the larger 3,0 litre, which generates a healthy 170kW from its flywheel at 5 900rpm.
While the larger of the two models is available in five-speed steptronic/ auto only, the smaller is also available in manual, with a five-speed gearbox.
Performance from the X3 is brisk, thanks to the large weight saving.
Besides its slightly smaller size, on the outside the X3 differs very little from the X5, except for some sharper, more attractive lines on the bonnet and the distinctive rear.
Inside, the X3’s steering wheel’s height and reach adjustment has to be done manually, and there is single climatic control system.
On tar, the tight, twisty bits are handled with aplomb. Steering response is direct without being over sensitive, while the X3’s power, delivered to all four wheels permanently via the xDrive system astounds.
So does the response from the steptronic box when cruising at any speed — a gentle prod on the pedal elicits an almost immediate cog-swap to the next lowest ratio, with the smoothness of a chauffeur-driven vehicle.
The X3 is equally at home on the dust as it is on the tar, and its sure footedness is wonderfully reassuring. Crossing small rivers steeped on each side by muddied inclines, the X3 hurtles up the sides like an over-eager fox terrier. Even with the traction control switched off, and starting from standstill, there was little spin from any of the 17-inch tyres fitted to the attractive alloys. Such is the wizardry of modern-day electronics.
The suspension is extremely comfortable. A little “bottoming out” can be felt when approaching large bumps at slightly higher speeds, but this is after all what BMW calls a sport activity vehicle, and is better suited to harsh conditions rather than extreme.
Safety is provided by an Anti-lock Braking System with clamping discs all round, automatic stability control, electronic brake force distribution and dynamic stability control. If you are new to descending steep hills, allow the hill descent control to take the guesswork out of tricky situations.
BMW claims top speeds of 208kph and 210kph for the 2.5 and 3.0 respectively, while the 0-100kph dash should be covered in a realistic 8,9 seconds and 9,8 seconds for the manual and steptronic versions respectively. The 3.0 steptronic should deliver the same speed in 8,1 seconds.
Consumption is a claimed 11,2 litres and 11,9 litres for the 2.5 manual and steptronic models, while the 3.0 should use 12,1 litres of fuel for every 100km travelled.
Tyre pressure monitoring gives early warning of a deflating tyre.
The X3, at R385 000 for the 2.5 manual, R398 000 with the steptronic box, or R428 000 for the 3.0 steptronic, has few competitors, although Landrover’s Freelander, which is priced at R319 500, comes into the picture.
However, if you upgrade your X3 with the action option — which includes running boards, panorama sliding roof and storage compartment package, priced at R18 800 — and add in a few other niceties such as onboard monitor incorporating TV and naviagtion system at R25 000; you are approaching X5 3.0 territory (R492 000).
The prices include a five-year/ 100 000km maintenance plan, while the guarantee is for two years with unlimited kilometres.
Driving impression by Nick Bates