While attending the BMW sponsored Sony Ericsson Lawn tennis Open this by weekend in Miami, I also had the opportunity to spend a few days with the new 2011 BMW X3. In the U.S., BMW currently offers the X3 in 2 flavors, the top of the line xDrive35i and the entry-point into the market place, the xDrive28i.

Power

The BMW X3 xDrive28i is one of the last BMWs to exist powered past a iii.0 liter 6-cylinder naturally aspirated engine. In the last years, BMW has begun to shift their attention from naturally aspirated engines to the more efficient, however powerful turbocharged units. In the virtually hereafter, we expect all the U.S.-based BMW vehicles to make the transition to TwinPower or twin-turbocharged powerplants. Rumors say that the X3 xDrive28i will drop the current engine in favor of the new N20 TwinPower 4-cylinder recently launched in its X1 counterpart.

2011 bmw x3 xdrive35i test drive 1271 655x435 The 2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i produces 240 horsepower and 221 lb-feet of torque. The engine is matted to the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission that not only offers smooth shifting, but besides increased fuel efficiency. Nosotros were unable to perform an official 0 to 60 mph test, but previous magazines report the X3 xDrive28i running the distance in under 7 seconds. The revved-up xDrive35 with its more N55 turbocharged engine shaves 1.2 seconds from the 28i'due south 0-60 mph (5.5 seconds).

Exterior Blueprint

In its second iteration, the 2011 BMW X3 has been redesigned from footing up. At a first glance, you lot run across a more than modern pattern, inline with the new BMW pattern linguistic communication. While maintaining the "boxy" look, the 2011 X3 is a half-inch taller, three.4 inches longer and i.1 inches wider than the current model. The auto sports, the same as the new five or 7 Series, a larger grille, imposing, yet non too aggressive. The kidneys also characteristic shinny titanium inserts as seen in its bigger brothers, the X5 and X6. With a l-50 carve up between male-female owners ratio, the front-finish gets a neutral design that is appealing to both genders.

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The design features flared wheel arches and more than aggressive design cues. The dynamic side creases around the fenders turn the new X3 into a distinctive model. At the front-stop, the corona-ring running lights flanking the twin-kidney grille, and underlined by a fairly sporty bumper, complete the unique wait of this X3. The LED engineering science is standard on the top-model xDrive35i and optional for the xDrive28i.

At the rear-end, the X3 sports modern, fluid and rounded shapes complemented past larger taillights that also feature the LED technology with a pair of glowing bars, very similar to what you see in an X5. Luckily, the blackness-painted bumper seen in pre-facelift showtime generation models is long gone; another lesson learned by BMW from its nit-picking customers.

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With a segment that seems to cater generally to females, BMW opted for the centre-ground, just the very early on unveiling of the One thousand-Sport packet will near likely attract the male demographic. In the end, the X3 is not a head-turner, and in my opinion BMW had no intention on sending out that message. The design is based on the concept of "form follows function" and that'southward something we like to run into in a Sports Utility Vehicle.

Interior Design


Without a doubt, the biggest criticism the first generation X3 has received. Owning a 2004 X3 myself, I immediately noticed the astonishing difference in quality when compared to the previous generation. The cabin of the new X3 has too been redesigned from scratch and the level of luxury reminds me of the new BMW 5 Series. The 2d generation X3 corrects some of the shortcomings seen in previous model, and some of these changes were based on customer'southward feedback. Commencement thing that comes in my heed and one I noticed immediately, the cup-holders. American buyers take nothing to fear now, plenty of multi-functional cup-holders inside and large plenty to "host" whatever Starbucks cup.

Speaking of infinite for storing personal things, more storage space can exist plant on the sides and too up in the front end where the passengers can place their keys and other things. Some other plus for the X3 Sports Activity Vehicle.

Speaking near quality of interior materials, the door panels are fully upholstered with higher quality leather, contrast stitching and increased quality of craftsmanship.
More wood trim has been added giving the motorcar a more premium look. The centre console also grew in size and sports some of the controls seen in the X5 with the now usual orange backlit.

I take not had the opportunity to exam the space for rear-seating passengers, but the visitor says the legroom has increased by an inch. At the front end, the interior space is somewhat cramped up, but it'southward also fair to acknowledge that I am 6″2 tall.

Examination Bulldoze

This is where the new X3 has actually surprised me. Without driving the more than powerful 300 horsepower X3, I felt that the xDrive28i has adequate power for a vehicle that weighs effectually 4,110 lbs. The compact SAV was quick, agile and eager to boss the road. I pushed the car quite a bit a few times and the 3.0 liter naturally aspirated engine aided by the 8-speed transmission did a superb job sprinting or irresolute lanes without letting me experience the need for more horsepower. Sure, on straightline or even on the track, the xDrive35i is a much faster vehicle, merely for the congested Miami roads, or whatsoever other large urban areas, the X3 tested handled itself quite well. The ZF transmission is really making the X3 a better vehicle.

The ride quality has improved equally well. Call up I am coming from a previous generation X3 that delivered a somewhat of a harsh ride. The 2011 X3 has been upgraded with an all-new five-link rear axle assembly that delivers a considerably better ride. The suspension engineers have managed to eliminate that loud thud nosotros sometimes see on other BMWs equipped with runflats. No complaints on the electromechanical steering either, but maybe on a longer drive we will take a run a risk to properly test the X3's receptiveness to the steering input.

In some of the corners I managed to find as exiting the highway, the X3 provided stability and improved treatment, all together bringing my level of conviction in the motorcar at a higher level. The tertiary generation xDrive system plant on the new X3 has been revised and the changes are obvious fifty-fifty to an inexperienced driver.  Hopefully presently, I will take the opportunity to experience off-route aboard the new X3, so more impressions volition be shared.

Based on the car's onboard computer, fuel consumption was rated at effectually 24 mpg, but for a more authentic reading in the future, we will have to drive the X3 extensively.

Decision


In my opinion, BMW has striking the jackpot with the new X3. Initially criticized by its somewhat conservative wait, the new X3 has turned into a large seller at local dealerships. Sales take been strong and the demand remains high, and customers are as well slowly starting to take advantage of the Build-To-Guild scheme offered by BMW.

To remain competitive in a segment dominated last year by the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLK, BMW of N America ready a starting cost for the xDrive28i at $37,625, approximately $two,000 below the 2010 model, and also with more standard equipment including Bluetooth and an iPod/USB interface.

As New York Times recently mentioned, I wonder what people that buy a $xxx,000 Honda Pilot will do in the future…the choices are out in that location and are better than ever.

Editor's Note: For a more comprehensive review of the new BMW X3, read the X3 Driving Impressions by our Hugo Becker.

Disclaimer: The manufacturer provided BMWBLOG this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.