WITHIN a week of going on sale, there were already 1000 orders for the new BMW X3 SUV.
Perhaps it’s not difficult to understand why: prices start £115 lower than the outgoing model; standard equipment is improved including standard leather; and CO2 emissions make the car a much better prospect for business car drivers.
“The compact SUV market is competitive,” explained Brian Cox, product manager for BMW’s X range.
“Rivals include the Land Rover Freelander, Volvo XC60 and Audi Q5. But we think we have an edge with the new X3 thanks to a class leading CO2 figure that dips under 150g/km as well as leading the field in terms of residual values,” continued Mr Cox.
BMW says the new X3 is expected to retain 43% of its value after three years. Mr Cox added: “That residual value compares with just 31% on the outgoing model. The real deal clincher is that the new X3’s starting price has gone down by £115.”
The latest version of the BMW X3 is 8cms longer and 2cms wider than its predecessor. Access to the leather clad cabin is also easier since the X3 sits a full 7cms lower to the ground without compromising its off-road ability.
The increased length also opens up an additional 70 litres of cargo space, equivalent to two suitcases.
Under the bonnet the new 2-litre turbo diesel shows a 7hp increase in power to 184hp while electro-mechanical power steering and stop start – available on automatic versions for the first time – help to keep emissions down.
As standard, the new X3 comes with permanent four-wheel-drive, an electronically controlled system that ensures variable distribution of drive to the front and rear axles.
Linked to Dynamic Stability Control, the xDrive system counteracts oversteer (where the back wheels step out of line) or understeer (where the front wheels fail to grip) at an early stage to help control the car through bends by sending increased drive to the rear wheels while, if needed, braking the inside rear wheel to increase the car’s mid-bend traction.
The car also features completely redeveloped suspension technology with a double-joint spring-strut axle at the front and a multi-link rear axle.
Starting at £30,490 the new X3 is equipped to a higher level of standard specification including leather upholstery and two-zone air conditioning, while the vast range of extras can easily rack up a further £9,000.
Story source: Headlineauto.
Further information
For a road test of the new BMW X3, see our road test BMW X3: setting SUV class standards.
Starting price of BMW X3 lower than outgoing model
