2011 BMW X3 – First Look – The Diesel Driver – The Joy of Diesel Driving

Engines and Drivetrain

Two petrol engines will be available in the U.S., a 3.0-liter inline six in the X3 xDrive28i, producing 240 hp and 230 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter inline six with direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbo technology, and Valvetronic, producing 300 hp and 300 pound-feet of torque.

Both engines are mated to the latest generation eight-speed automatic transmission, which contributes to reduced fuel consumption and less noise.  Direct shifts from 8th to 2nd gear are possible for those instances when maximum power is needed.

The X3 features BMW’s third-generation xDrive all-wheel drive system.  The new system features what BMW calls an Integrated Chassis Management system that works in parallel with Dynamic Stability Control and the xDrive system itself to provide quick reactions to changes in driving conditions.

The X3’s redesigned suspension features a combination of a double-joint spring-strut suspension at the front and a multi-link rear suspension in the rear.  Electronic Damping Control allows the shocks to be adjusted to multiple levels of firmness and they adjust based on road conditions very quickly.  Indeed, BMW cites the example of a front tire hitting a pothole and the system’s ability to adjust quickly enough so that the rear-wheel damping has been changed before the rear wheel hits the pothole.

The X3 xDrive20d is the sole diesel model and is only available in Europe at the present time.  It features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo diesel engine that produces 184 hp and 280 pound-feet of torque.  It can go from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 8.5 seconds and used only 5.6 l/100 km (50.4 mpg) in the combined EU fuel economy test cycle.

Infotainment

BMW ConnectedDrive provides X3 drivers with standard and optional convenience, information, entertainment, and safety features ranging from BMW Assist to iPod Out.  Other features include MyInfo, which allows drivers (and friends and colleagues) to send destinations, messages, and phone numbers directly to the X3 from the Google Maps Web site.

Bluetooth Mobile Office provides integration with smartphones, allowing calendar and tasks to be displayed and, more significantly, it will read e-mails, text messages, calendar entries, and notes out loud using built-in text-to-speech technology.

Unlike its predecessor, the new X3 is manufactured at the BMW Plant Spartanburg, which recently underwent a $750 million expansion to accommodate production of the new vehicle.  Factory delivery is available at the Performance Delivery Center in Spartanburg at no additional charge.

This is part one of a multi-part feature on the new X3.  Our next report will cover our drive to Berchtesgaden and to the Austrian Alps in the X3 xDrive20d.

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