BMW revealed the new X3 at BMW Plant Spartanburg in Greer, South Carolina, the current home of the BMW X3, X4, X5, and X6—and next year, the X7. The new X3, factory designator G01, is essential to BMW's continued success; it launched the premium compact Sports Activity Vehicle segment for BMW when it first appeared fourteen years ago, and it has been an excellent seller ever since.
Highlights of the third-generation BMW X3 series include improved aerodynamics, enhanced comfort and safety, a larger head-up display and central touchscreen display, Gesture Control, and the first-ever BMW factory-installed trailer hitch.
Two versions of the 2018 X3 will be available initially—the X3 xDrive30i and the X3 M40i M Performance. BMW announced earlier this year that it would also bring a diesel X3 to the U.S., but with additional testing and enhanced federal evaluation in the wake of the Volkswagen diesel cheating scandal, there's no way to know how long it might take.
BMW Plant Spartanburg is a good place for the launch of the new X3. Not only is the vehicle built there, but also it brings attention to the fact that this one factory employs over 8,000 workers and supports almost 70,000 U.S. jobs. All by itself, BMW Plant Spartanburg exports vehicles to 140 markets worldwide and is the largest automotive vehicle exporter by dollar value in the U.S. But even though BMW Plant Spartanburg is the largest BMW factory in the world, it can't meet worldwide demand for the BMW X3. BMW is converting its entire Rosslyn, South Africa plant to X3 production next year, and will also start producing the X3 in China for that market.
The all-new 2018 BMW X3 will be available at BMW dealers starting in November 2017. We have not seen prices yet. BMW will release those closer to the market launch.
The third-generation X3's exterior reflects its heritage, but it has been updated with new BMW design elements. For example, for the first time on any BMW X vehicle, the kidney grille is rendered as "three-dimensional" and the fog lights are hexagonal. The rear gets a downward-sloping roof spoiler and twin exhaust pipes.
Also for the first time, a BMW Sports Activity Vehicle will have a factory-installed trailer hitch with a two-inch receiver. BMW has not announced the tow rating or maximum tongue weight yet, but just having a factory-installed, integrated hitch for trailers, bike racks, and other accessories is a big deal for many customers.
Standard xLine with available Luxury Package.
The standard design style is xLine, with trim in satin aluminum and silver matte, and with 18-inch Y-Spoke wheels with all-season run-flat tires. (19-inch V-Spoke wheels with all-season run flats are optional). The xLine interior features standard Sport Seats with power adjustable side bolsters and an Anthracite headliner.
X3s may now be ordered with an optional Luxury Package. This gives the X3 chrome kidney grille bars and two-tone front and rear bumper trim finishers on the outside and a SensaTec upholstered dashboard on the interior.
M Sport Package.
A significant number of new X3 owners will order their new vehicle with the M Sport Package, which features the M Aerodynamic kit comprising a front apron with larger air intakes, side skirt trim, and a diffuser-style rear apron. This design line also comes with Shadowline exterior trim and 19-inch M Double-Spoke Wheels with all-season run-flat tires or performance RFTs. M Double-Spoke 20-inch Wheels with mixed performance run-flat tires are optional. Inside is a new M Sport leather steering wheel, M door sill finishers, and a SensaTec upholstered dashboard.
Interior and equipment: improved material quality and ergonomics.
New for the G01 X3 are three-zone automatic climate control and standard 40:20:40 split/folding rear seat backrests that can be adjusted individually and released remotely from the cargo bay. Front seats are ventilated and the panoramic glass moonroof is almost ten inches longer than in previous models. Contour lighting can be added with the available Extended Ambient Lighting.
Chassis dynamics: reduced mass and improved axle kinematics.
In the 2018 X3, BMW has maintained a 50:50 weight distribution, which contributes to its customary balanced handling. Of course, the new X3 comes with xDrive. You may remember that the first-generation X3 in 2003 was the first BMW with xDrive.
In the 2018 version, xDrive is mated with Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) allowing the power split between all four wheels to be constantly varied as conditions require.
Available driving modes include Eco Pro, Comfort, and Sport. With the M40i X3 you also get Sport Plus mode. Customers who opt for Dynamic Driving Control also receive Adaptive Mode.
The new X3 uses a double-joint spring strut front axle and a five-link rear set-up. Unsprung mass was reduced using aluminum swivel bearings and lighter tubular anti-roll bars. Handling dynamics, straight-line stability, and steering feel benefit from the improved axle kinematics and the Electric Power Steering system with Servotronic.
The rear bias of the xDrive all-wheel-drive system has been increased, so that it feels like a BMW should.
Various electronic control systems that enhance safety include: Driving Stability Control (DSC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Automatic Differential Brake (ADB-X), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Start-Off Assistant, Performance Control, and Hill Descent Control (HDC).
First M Performance model X3.
The first ever M Performance model in the X3 lineup is powered by a three-liter M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology six-cylinder inline engine that puts out 355 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, enough to move the X3 flagship from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. That's only 0.2 seconds slower than a BMW i8, for those of you keeping score at home.
The BMW X3 M40i is equipped with an eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission with Launch Control and paddle shifters. The Performance Control feature built in to the DSC system and acting on the rear wheels is designed to produce the driving feel expected in an M Performance model.
Front door sills and the instrument panel are marked with the “M40i” logo. Other M Performance parts include a flap-controlled M Sport exhaust system with Black Chrome tailpipe embellishers, M Sport brakes, M Sport suspension with M Performance specific tuning, Variable sport steering, and standard 19-inch or optional 20-inch and 21-inch cast light-alloy wheels. The X3 M40i can be ordered with the optional Adaptive M Sport suspension.
Handling rough terrain.
Back in the 20th century when BMW built its first X vehicle, the company claimed that its new Sports Activity Vehicles were made for 95 percent highway use. Now almost twenty years later, the company is touting the new X3's rough terrain capability with eight inches of ground clearance and a water-fording depth of 19.6 inches.
X3 xDrive 3.0i engine.
The BMW X3 xDrive 3.0i features a BMW TwinPower Turbo technology two-liter, four-cylinder inline gasoline engine with Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing and Valvetronic fully variable intake lift, a map-controlled oil pump, electric arc wire-sprayed cylinder barrels, Twin-scroll exhaust turbocharger and electrically adjustable waste gate valve. Like the M40i X3, the 3.0i gets the eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system to increase efficiency.
BMW ConnectedDrive.
Every new BMW model for the foreseeable future will have more connectivity than the previous one. The all-new BMW X3 will have a standard iDrive Controller, Navigation system Professional featuring iDrive 6.0, and a 10.25-inch display with Touchscreen technology. BMW Gesture Control is optional. Cloud-based Intelligent Voice Control allows drivers to speak their request in natural, everyday language.
The digital services from the BMW Connected app, available on both iOS and Android devices, bring intelligent connectivity to the 2018 BMW X3. With the Open Mobility Cloud platform, the digital services connect to the BMW X3 via smartphones or smart watches.
Other connectivity options include a WiFi hotspot with a high-speed Internet connection (LTE) for up to ten mobile devices, and Apple CarPlay for iOS users.
Intelligent Emergency Call with extended functionality.
The standard built-in SIM card gives X3 drivers the ability to use Intelligent Emergency Call with automatic locating and accident severity detection and offers to contact the BMW Accident Assistance service directly. One button push gets support from the BMW Accident Assistance team.
Detecting accidents before they happen.
The standard pre-crash accident detection system Active Protection enhances passive safety by detecting potential accident situations. If it detects a potential collision, the system automatically triggers a variety of occupant protection measures. The driver’s and front passenger’s belt tensioners are activated, and the windows and Panoramic moonroof are closed. Following a collision, Active Protection automatically brings the vehicle to a standstill. The Frontal Collision Warning detects an imminent risk of collision with vehicles ahead, and prepares the vehicle systems for a possible impact from vehicles behind.
ParkNow and On-Street Parking Information.
The ParkNow service, available in iDrive, locates parking spaces roadside and in parking garages and can book and pay for them without using cash. In-car integration of ParkNow is initially available in select cities nationwide. Visit www.park-now.com for details.
BMW Personal CoPilot: a comprehensive line-up of driver assistance systems.
Driver assistance and semi-automated driving in the new X3 are achieved through the latest generation of Active Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go, which can brake the car to a halt in stop-and-go traffic and automatically restart to drive.
The Driving Assistance Package includes Active Blind Spot Protection, Lane Departure Warning, Daytime Pedestrian Protection, Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation, Cross Traffic Alert rear, and Speed Limit Info (Navigation system required). The Driving Assistant Plus Package offers additional comfort features: Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Active Lane Keeping Assistant with Side Collision Avoidance, Traffic Jam Assistant, Evasion Aid & Cross Traffic alert front and rear.
The optional Head-Up Display puts the most important driving-related information directly into the driver’s field of vision. The new X3's Head-Up Display is 75 percent larger than in previous X3s.
Another unique feature is the Remote 3D View function, which can send a 360-degree, three-dimensional view of the car’s immediate vicinity directly to a smartphone through the BMW Connected App.
We predict that the all-new 2018 BMW X3 will be the perfect vehicle for a variety of customers. It can be a great trip vehicle, even if those trips take its occupants to back-country adventures. It can be an excellent small-family vehicle with nice cargo room. Many BMW enthusiasts will go for the M Sport line with M Performance parts. The built-in trailer hitch means new owners won't have to search third-party sources and installers to be able to tow trailers or mount bike racks. Driver assistance features will make the X3 safer to drive, and BMW ConnectedDrive will allow occupants' iOS and Android devices to keep them in touch and entertained. There is a reason why BMW has a hierarchy of models. The X3 is perfect if the X1 is too small and the X5 is too big. We're looking forward to a test drive.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]
