Double Apex was invited to BMW HQ in Gauteng to see the all-new BMW X3 being built, as well as to drive the various derivatives currently on offer.
It’s not surprising to learn that the BMW X3 is the best-selling product in the brand’s portfolio. It is a premium SUV that fits into the ‘lower-end’ of BMW’s SUV family. The X1 sits below with the X5 and X7 above. The all-new BMW X3 (codename G45) was available for pre-order late last year, so you may have already seen a few on the road. However, BMW SA recently hosted the national ride-and-drive event, which we attended in Gauteng.
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Local is Lekker
The all-new BMW X3 is produced right here in Msanzi, just as its predecessor was. BMW made a significant investment (over R4bn) to upgrade its plant in Rosslyn to build the latest X3. The G45 will be churned out at a rate of 77 000 units per year. Although, almost all of those leave our shores for dozens of other countries, both in right- and left-hand drive. Just 3 per cent of total production remains for local buyers.
Click here to read our extended drive review of a BMW X1.
New Look
The fourth-generation X3 is a departure from its predecessor as far as its appearance is concerned. The overall appearance is more chunky. Slightly more aggressive, if you will. We see shades of the range-leading XM about the rear and on the brand’s signature The ‘kidney’ grilles.
The all-new BMW X3 is 34 mm longer than its predecessor at 4 755. It’s 29 mm wider at 1 920 mm. A 25‑mm drop in vehicle height brings it to 1 660. Those dimensions make it larger than a first-generation X5. As a result the newest X3 seems more hunkered down and wider, especially on the lower section of the body.
Click here to check out an electric prototype that shows the future of BMW.
High-Tech Cabin
BMW has designed the X3’s interior around sustainable materials. As a result most versions feature NO leather whatsoever. It’s only the range-topping derivative that has hides on some of its surfaces. The facia is covered by a woven-like material that is tactile in nature and an interesting departure from the usual plastic or leather we’ve become accustomed to.
Upholstery aside, the cabin of the G45 X3 is a high-tech affair, which pretty much true of any BMW introduced in the last few years. There are twin screens that dominate the facia. As a result of the increased digitalisation you will find very few buttons and switches in the cabin. Even the controls for air volume from the front air-vents is carried out by haptic switches. Perhaps they’re overcomplicating something that didn’t really need any ‘updating’.
At any rate, the interior is a lovely place to be. In fact, the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) is exceptional. We experienced various iterations of the X3 (more of which in a moment) in terrible weather conditions, and they were all extremely quiet and smooth, damping out the turmoil outside.
A Trio of Powertrains
BMW introduces the X3 in three variants. The headliner is the X3 M50. Not that the ‘i’ suffix falls way on all new petrol-fed BMWs. It features a six-cylinder in-line turbopetrol engine. The 3,0-litre twin-turbo unit (code B58) produces a maximum of 293 kW with the help of 48V mild hybrid technology. Peak torque is rated as 580 N.m. BMW says the top-dog X3 can sprint from rest to 100 km/h in 4,6 seconds. There is no ‘entry-level’ petrol derivative in the range.
A diesel-fueled version called the X3 20d is the ‘base’ version. This engine has 145 kW/400 N.m of torque on offer. In between these two variants is the X3 30e. The latter is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). It has 220 kW/450 N.m on tap. Interestingly, it can be driven on pure battery power for up to 90 km. You could commute to and from work, provided you live close enough to your place of business, without using petrol all week. All X3 derivatives comes standard with all-wheel-drive (ie xDrive), which is mated to an eight-speed transmission.
On the Road
BMW laid out all derivatives for us to experience first-hand over the course of two days. The weather in Gauteng was gloomy, grey and soggy underfoot. We hardly had an hour without pouring rain. As mentioned, the cabins of all versions were completely isolated from the cool exterior.
Our first experience was in the PHEV, which is an excellent option for those who want to announce their eco credentials to the world. One can waft along in almost silence for long stretches. The electric motor provides enough power to travel at the national speed limit.
The M50, on its larger profile alloys and punchy turbocharged six is the ‘performer’ (for now anyway) of the trio. Nearly 300 kW shunts the large car along at a decent lick, and the engine makes a pretty nice noise while pressing on. The route wasn’t particularly twisty, but the platform feels like it has sporting credentials that will make it handy on a fast flowing road.
The entry-level variant is the 20d, which will probably make it the volume seller. We found the oil-burning engine extremely refined and near silent in operation. 400 N.m of torque is enough to propel the X3 at a decent pace with enough in reserve for overtaking. It’s party trick is how little fuel it consumes. During an extended part of the trip we recorded an average fuel consumption figure of 6,6 L/100 km.
Summary
We started out by saying that the BMW X3 is the best-selling model for the brand worldwide. Three previous generations have offered just what people wanted from a family car, an everything machine that covers several bases. The fourth generation is ideally placed to continue in this vein. Although, the prices, while not much more than the predecessor, place it only within the reach of an increasingly shrinking part of SA’s car-buying public. If you are fortunate enough to be shopping in this space the all-new BMW X3 is more than a match for rivals from Mercedes-Benz and Audi, possibly even Porsche.
All-new BMW X3 Prices
20d xDrive R1 136 417
30e xDrive R1 260 000
M50 xDrive R1 545 447