Offering the performance and smoothness as well as the low weight and efficiency so typical of BMW, the new top-of-the-range 3.0si straight-six, will endow the new X3 with a power output higher than any other 3.0-litre in the BMW family.

Even so, fuel consumption for the new petrol straight-six has improved by 15 per cent while the 3.0d model continues to boast a combined fuel consumption figure of 8.6 litres per 100 kms.

More than 260,000 X3s have been sold worldwide.

Visually, the BMW X3 maintains its rugged looks and purposeful on-road stance, combined with even more efficient drive systems. The 2007 BMW X3 features new headlight and rear lights as well as re-profiled colour-coded bumpers with deep-set fog lights.

The cabin has been upgraded with a redesigned instrument panel, new steering wheel, centre console, seats, revised trim levels and a new roof lining, as well as improved storage compartments. In addition, all models will be equipped with Bluetooth mobile phone preparation.

The new BMW X3 has been given a subtle styling makeover at the front and rear. Front and rear bumpers are split into two levels, finished in body colour, with the intentionally exposed protective elements made of robust black plastic.

Four new exterior colours are included in the updated specification including Crimson Red, Platinum Bronze, Monaco Blue and Montego Blue. In addition, a fifth interior colour scheme has been added to the standard interior leather and trims combinations.

Customers can team their choice of leather upholstery with interior trims in either brushed aluminium, fine wood in poplar grain grey, ash grain or poplar grain light.

A striking feature of the X models is the so-called “six-eyed look” that lends a purposeful air to the front of the car, featuring new double circular headlights with redesigned reflectors behind clear glass.

The BMW kidney grille has been increased in size and is now a very distinctive visual feature of the front of the car. At the rear the new light assemblies are covered with clear glass over horizontal rods of light fed by LEDs to ensure a striking night design, but also serve as an eye-catching feature of the new BMW X3 in daylight.

The rear profile of the BMW X3 boasts dominant horizontal lines that continue from the tailgate right down to the bumper, underscoring the car’s appearance. From the side, a lower design line emphasises a discreet wedge-shape and ties in with both the front and rear aprons.

Importantly too, the BMW X3 cabin has been upgraded with high-quality materials. The instrument panel has a new décor strip that matches in colour and material with the decorative surfaces of the centre console. Galvanised metals on the door handles and switchgear of the air temperature control system, exclusive leather and textile variants, a high-quality colour scheme and new designs for the roof lining as well as plastic surfaces with a high-class texture clearly reflect the character of the robust interior.

BMW designers have also addressed the need for additional storage areas, with more spacious storage in the door trims. There is also a new three-spoke steering wheel design.

The X3 will be available with a new generation of in-line six-cylinder petrol engines of 2.5-litre and 3.0-litre capacity.

The new BMW X3 3.0si incorporates the most powerful version of the 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine so far, with a reputation for smooth running, reliability and performance.

Significantly, both the new BMW X3 2.5si and the 3.0si boast more power and torque than the previous BMW X3 2.5i and 3.0i six-cylinder engines, with gains also made in the area of fuel economy.

The BMW X3 3.0si gains 30 kW more power and 15 Nm more torque over the 3.0i, while the 2.5si gains 19 kW and 5 Nm over the 2.5i.

The BMW X3 3.0si accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 210 km/h. With average fuel consumption in the EU cycle of 10.3 litres per 100 kms, it offers exemplary economy for this class.

The corresponding performance of the BMW X3 2.5si is just as impressive. It reaches 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and has a top speed of 210 km/h. The average fuel consumption is 9.9 litres per 100 kms (EU cycle).

Both the 2.5si six-cylinder and 3.0si six-cylinder are equipped with a magnesium-aluminium composite crankcase, the variable valve-control VALVETRONIC and an electric water pump with demand-based control. As they weigh just 165 kg, they also contribute to the well-balanced axle-load distribution and driving dynamics.

Apart from the new petrol six-cylinder engines, the BMW X3 is also available with an in-line 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel. The BMW X3 3.0d boasts Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG) turbocharger, all-aluminium crankcase, common-rail injection with piezo injectors and oxidation catalytic converter.

BMW X3 2.5si: Manual (Auto – opt).
2.5-litre six-cylinder.
160 kW at 6,500 rpm and 250 Nm from 2,750.
Acceleration (0-100km/h): 8.5 (8.9) seconds.
Top speed 210 km/h.
Average fuel consumption (EU combined cycle): 9.9 (10.1) litres per 100 km.

BMW X3 3.0si: Automatic.
3.0-litre six-cylinder.
200 kW at 6,600 rpm and 315 Nm at 2,750 rpm.
Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 7.5 seconds.
Top speed 210 km/h.
Average fuel consumption (EU combined cycle): 10.3 litres per 100 km.

BMW X3 3.0d: Automatic.
3.0-litre six-cylinder.
160 kW at 4,000 rpm and 480 Nm from 1,750 rpm.
Acceleration (0-100km/h): 7.9 seconds.
Top speed 210 km/h.
Average fuel consumption (EU cycle): 8.6 litres per 100 km.

The X3 3.0si and 3.0d will feature the new six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission (available as an option for the 2.5si). The new transmission offers improved shift dynamics.

The BMW X3 offers Automatic Stability Control and Traction (ASC-X), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Automatic Slip Control (ASC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), increased braking readiness, fade compensation, dry brake function and Hill Descent Control (HDC).

One of the newest developments in the BMW X3 is a new parallel networking of the permanent, intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system with DSC and engine control through Integrated Chassis Management (ICM).

The superb BMW intelligent permanent xDrive all-wheel-drive system, with variable and proactive torque distribution between the front and rear axles, carries over into the new BMW X3 range. In normal driving situations the torque is distributed 40:60 but can also be varied automatically between 50:50 and 0:100 for the best possible driving stability, dynamics and traction.

In special situations, up to 100 per cent of the engine torque can be directed briefly to the front axle. A differential locking function is activated with xDrive by selective application of the brakes on the wheel that’s spinning.

To help avoid rear-end collisions, the new BMW X3 is also equipped with an LED brake force display. In the case of particularly heavy braking and if the ABS is activated, the light-emitting surface of the brake lights at the rear of the BMW X3 increases.

As well as front and side airbags, the interior also has side curtain head-level airbags as part of the standard equipment. The BMW X3 is equipped with three-point automatic seat belts on all five seats. The restraint systems have seat belt force limiters and the front seats have seatbelt pre-tensioners as well.

Overall dimensions remain largely unchanged. The new BMW X3 is 4,569 mm long, 1,853 mm wide and 1,674 mm high. As the more compact member of the SAV models from BMW, the BMW X3 provides agility and ease of handling while its cabin is spacious and flexible..

The large tailgate that swings up high and has a low load edge also make it easier to accommodate cumbersome goods. When the asymmetrically split rear bench seat has been folded back, the rear section boasts a maximum storage volume of 1,560 litres.

Chassis

Intelligent permanent all-wheel drive: BMW xDrive
To aid performance and safety, the new BMW X3 features the very latest stability control system allied to xDrive, BMW’s unique four-wheel-drive system. xDrive comprises two key ingredients - an electrically activated multiple-plate clutch which changes drive distribution from axle-to-axle and the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system that regulates power to each wheel. Responding in just 100 milliseconds, xDrive reacts more quickly than more conventional four-wheel-drive systems.

The intelligence of xDrive comes from the DSC stability control system, which delivers vehicle data including individual wheel speed, steering angle, lateral acceleration and yaw rates. By constantly processing this information, xDrive is able to detect situations in which traction loss is likely and, in an instant, transfer drive to the specific wheels with the most traction.

DSC can intervene but, because of xDrive’s ability to re-direct power and prevent traction loss, interventions are far less frequent and only happen in extreme circumstances. Where traction loss is unavoidable, DSC cuts power and, if necessary, applies brakes to individual wheels allowing the car to regain a foothold, but not necessarily slowing the progress.

In normal driving situations, the drive torque is distributed in the ratio of 40:60 between the front and the rear wheels. xDrive can also vary torque between front and rear axles depending on the driving conditions and can distributed drive torque briefly to one axle in extreme conditions.

The BMW X3 can also react quickly to any tendency to oversteer during high-speed cornering. The multi-plate clutch is more strongly closed to direct additional power to the front wheels and to optimise the driving stability. In this way, up to 75 per cent of the torque can be transmitted to the front axle during extreme oversteering vehicle response.

The xDrive predicts a loss of traction rather than reacting to it, which enables the car to use intelligently distributed power and drive to negotiate rough terrain or exploit enthusiastic driving. The result of this system is a vehicle that offers a four-wheel-drive system for on-road dynamics while still being capable off-road.

Integrated Chassis Management
To guarantee these high-speed precise reactions, the xDrive all-wheel system, the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and the engine control system are networked with one another via the Integrated Chassis Management (ICM).

The sensors of the suspension control also supply the control unit of the xDrive with the data required to determine the current driving situation. This enables xDrive to pro-actively stabilised the vehicle to a certain extent.

Slip is detected and prevented, even before the affected wheels start to spin and become noticeable for the driver or any greater instability occurs. If there is a change in the power distribution brought about by the xDrive that is no longer sufficient to optimise the driving stability, then DSC intervenes with braking actions on individual wheels and by influencing the engine control system.

The new control structure of the Integrated Chassis Management ensures an even faster and more precise co-ordination between the xDrive and DSC. Until now, engine and brake management influenced the self-steering characteristics of the vehicle almost independently of the longitudinal torque management, so the three regulating circuits now operate in parallel.

The exact networking with the DSC, the xDrive all-wheel system enables a rapid and precise reaction to changed driving situations and, therefore, even more driving dynamics.

The new DSC not only provides for driving stability and traction, it also optimises the overall performance of the braking system. It compensates for any drop in braking effort with a selective increase in braking pressure while also offering advanced application of the brake pads in readiness for spontaneous braking.

Regular dry braking optimises the efficiency in wet conditions and the Dynamic Braking Control (DBC) function automatically maximises the brake pressure when exceptional braking is required. In addition, a hill hold function eases moving away on inclines.

Safety

For the first time on a BMW X model, BMW’s innovative Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system comes with additional features fitted as standard to further enhance safety:

• Brake Pre-tensioning shortens stopping distances during an emergency stop by priming the brakes should the driver lift off the accelerator sharply in preparation.
• Brake Drying improves braking performance in the wet by periodically applying the brake pads to scrub away the film of water that can build up on the brake discs.
• Hill Start Assistant allows a manual transmission car to pull away smoothly on a gradient without rolling backwards, courtesy of the brakes being held for the short time it takes the driver to apply the accelerator after releasing the foot or handbrake.
• Brake Fade Compensation applies additional braking without any extra effort from the driver should sensors detect that the brake pads are starting to lose ‘bite’ due to heat build up.

In another first on an X model, the driver will now be able to select the Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) function of DSC. DTC allows for a greater degree of wheel slip for more spirited driving without the traction control safety net intervening. This option can be selected via a button on the centre console. For those needing to tow a trailer or caravan the BMW X3 is equipped with Trailer Stability Control for safer driving. When connected to the trailer or caravan, DSC can counteract the effects that could lead to an unstable trailer and the resulting accident.

All BMW X3s also come as standard with six airbags – dual stage front airbags, side airbags and curtain airbags – seatbelt pre-tensioners, ABS, all round disc brakes and Brake Force Display to warn drivers behind that the X3 driver is braking sharply.