DNA Drive: The BMW X3 leaves you beeming

Take the BMW X5, scale it to about 80%. That’s the first impression one gets looking at the new X3 from the Bavarian automaker.
The car’s styling takes forward the X1 theme  a lot though chassis on chassis, it’s the first version of iconic X5 that its dimensions match; this one’s about 8 cm longer and 2 cm wider than the first X3 avatar. Call it an X5 Lite, if you may.

Interior
The dashboard fascia is little different from the 5 series, with scoops and curves that are BMW’s alone. Woody trims, brushed metal streaks and leather seams lend great elegance. The arched dash is angled towards the driver, affording better visibility. The iDrive is placed well, but takes some getting used to. It comes with a 6.5 inch LED display in the version we drove, and an 8.5 inch display in the 3-litre variant.

Overall, there’s a feeling of great space inside. The rear seat, however, is disappointing in terms of thigh support because it’s placed a touch too low; legroom, however, is ample. No groans likely from six-footers on that count.

The boot space is a generous 550 litre, but the rear seat backrest can be folded 40:20:40 to unleash a cavernous 1600 litre environment.

The latches and detailing of the cargo hold are beautifully thought out and arranged.

Performance
We drove the 2 litre, 4/4 cylinder/valve, turbocharged version, which nosed 100 km from a standing start in about 9 seconds, but the 3 litre version is claimed to be a good two seconds faster. The top speed is electronically limited to 210 kmph in both, though.

For a vehicle tipping 1800 kgs, with an eight-speed automatic transmission planted on a 1995 cc engine that unleashes 184 horses, it’s a magnificently silent cruiser, damping the considerable power delivered as the revs rush past 1500 rpm.
Mileage should be around 8-10 kmpl. As fuel-saving technology, there is an auto start-top function which - aggressively, actually — shuts the engine if you brake to a dead stop and restarts the moment you take foot off.

Really cool, and it all happens in a fleeting moment, but it turned out to be an irritant in bumper-to-bumper traffic along Mumbai’s Western Express Highway on Tuesday night. The engine shut off and switched on at least 10 times in the 13 km stretch from Bandra to Goregoan. It could make you look like a novice at wheel. Clearly, this is a technology whose time has not come in India because of snarled roads.

Overall, the X3 handles both heavy traffic, potholes and smooth, give-it-a-rip roads with great elan.

The electrical steering is incredibly accurate, light at slow speeds and perfectly taut at high.

The X3 gobbled 170 kmph on the Worli-Bandra Sea Link like a beatific zen monk in deep meditation.  BMW’s dynamic damper control offers three shock absorber adjustments at the touch of a button  — Normal for soft rides, Sport for firmer and Sports + for off-roading, but then, why should you take such a beauty to the rough trails?

At 212 mm, ground clearance is ample thanks to 17-inch alloys, and the braking set-up is terrific. The gearbox handles requirements at both extremes like a breeze, and dynamic stability control gives passengers a great sense of security overall. And the tyres roll even if there’s no air in it, which is a great utility in Indian conditions.

The Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control are invaluable in case you insist on clambering up the mountain paths or diving into the valleys. BMW’s xDrive system routes power to axles on-the-fly by electronically assessing the driving situation. Which means there’s little chance of the car swerving off.

Verdict
At around Rs46 lakh on road in Mumbai, the 2-litre version is certainly one for the loaded gentry. It’s a superb soft-roader that has the Audi Q5 in its crosshairs, and the Volvo XC60 in the adjoining lane.

Spec sheet
BMW X3 (xDrive20d and 30d)
Price: Rs41.2 lakh for the 2 litre & Rs47.9 lakh for 3 litre, ex-showroom

Engine: 1995 cc, in line 4x4 and 6x4 cylinder/valve   

Power 185 bhp max. Torque 380-580 Nm @ 1750-2750 in the 2 litre variant and 2000-2750 rpm in the 3 litre version

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Dimension: Length 4569 mm, width 1987 mm, height 1674 mm

Safety: Front, rear and side airbags, head airbags, active head rest, crash sensor etc