BMW X3

One of BMW’s highly anticipated models, the new BMW X3 (G45 – fourth-generation), officially launched in Malaysia.

A Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV), the D-segment crossover (compact luxury SUV) underpins BMW’s Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform.

Locally assembled (CKD – Kedah), available via BMW Malaysia is one variant (X3 20 xDrive M Sport – MYR 320,800).

Price (OTR, w/o insurance) covers a standard BMW vehicle warranty (two years). Optional (MYR 27,900) is the BMW Service Inclusive (BSI – extended warranty: five years, unlimited-mileage – service package: five years, 100,000 KM).

Four exterior colours (single-tone: Alpine White Solid, Black Sapphire Metallic, Dune Grey Metallic, Tanzanite Blue Metallic). Two interior colours (single-tone: Black – dual-tone: Black-Espresso Brown).

The new X3 has a slim, modern and clean-cut dashboard design, linked to a low-rising centre console (media controls, notch-style gear selector, engine Start/Stop button).

Soft-/hard-touched (dash, steering wheel, centre console, doors), it sees polyester cloth (sustainably recycled) upholstery in two (single-tone: Black – dual-tone: Black-Espresso Brown) colour schemes with contrast trims (Fine-Brushed Aluminium).

Equipped are the BMW Curved Display (single-pane glass – instrument cluster, infotainment), BMW Interaction Bar (multi-function control – BMW Natural Interaction), an ambient light system (BMW My Modes: 15-colours) and slim air-conditioning vents.

Inclusively, the layout is minimalistic and airy, with accessibilities ergonomically arranged (driver-centric, passenger-oriented).

Comfortably plush, the interior sees leather (‘Veganza’ – perforated) upholstery in two colour schemes (single-tone: Black, Espresso Brown).

The front gets electric-powered (driver-/passenger-multi-way-adjust, driver-memory) Sport seats. The rear gets a manual-operated (40:20:40 split-fold) bolstered bench.

Included are armrests (front – centre console, rear – centre seat fold-out), headrests (front: base carrier, clothes hanger, folding table, tablet holders, universal hook – rear), Velour floor mats and an M headliner (Anthracite).

Mounted is an M Sport steering wheel (three-spoke-flat-bottom), wrapped in leather (‘Veganza’ – Black) with contrast trims (Fine-Brushed Aluminium) and an M emblem (bottom spoke).

Features are multi-function (media, Bluetooth, voice recognition, vehicle settings), paddle shifters and column adjustments (tilt, telescopic). 

Drive is aided by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Accessing its electric-powered (contactless – sensor, remote/key fob, tailgate button) tailgate, opens to 570-Litres (rear seats up) and 1,700-Litres (rear seats down) of load capacities.

The new X3 measures at 4,755 MM long, 1,920 MM wide, 1,660 MM tall and with a wheelbase spanning 2,865 MM.

Sportily aerodynamic, its exterior parades a solidly wide stance, emphasised by sharply and cleanly cut contours.

The front-end sees a formed bonnet (BMW emblem), angular quarter panels and a sculpted bumper (BMW Iconic Glow kidney grille: illuminated surrounds – air intakes: two-part-central, corners).

Accentuations, M Sport Package, body trims (Satin Aluminium: grille, side window surrounds, side mirror arms, roof rails – Gloss Black: grille, vents, front window surrounds) and BMW emblem (Black-Blue-White).

Athletically tapered, it continues the solidly wide profile, emphasised by horizontally angular and sharply rounded surfaces.

The rear-end sees a mildly dipped roofline (shark fin antenna, roof-edge spoiler), a centre-notched upright tailgate (BMW emblem) and a sculpted bumper (diffuser: side-slatted, hidden exhausts).

Accentuations, body trims (Satin Aluminium: side window surrounds – Gloss Black: diffuser, rear window surrounds, roof-edge spoiler, roof rails – body-colour: shark fin antenna) and BMW emblem (Black-Blue-White).

Sleek and sharp, the headlamps are housed inward-tilted with pointed edges. Installed are full LED units.

Features are automatic On/Off, Daytime Running Lights (DRL – LED), High-Beam Assistant (HBA), cornering/welcome lights and sequential turn signals (LED).

Slim and protruding, the tail lamps are housed angularly squared with wide wrapped around edges. Installed are full LED units.

Features are automatic On/Off, welcome lights and sequential turn signals (LED). 

The side mirrors (dual-tone – Satin Aluminium-body-colour) are electric-powered (auto-fold, adjust) with the Exterior Mirror package (automatic anti-dazzle, automatic dipping), blind-spot indicators (Blind Spot Monitor – BSM) and turn signals (LED).

Sportily designed, mounted is a set of 19-Inch Y-spoke Style 1035 M Bicolour (Black-Silver) M light-alloy rims, wrapped in 245/50 R19 (front, rear) Continental EcoContact 6 Q run flat tyres.

Passive safety includes six airbags (driver-passenger, front sides, front-rear curtains), seat belts (anchors, pretensioners, reminders), ISOFIX (two – outer-rear-seat), interior camera (occupant sensing), High-Beam Assistant (HBA), parking sensors (six – front, rear), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), automatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirrors (interior/exterior), side mirrors (automatic dipping, BSM), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), door ajar warning, automatic-door locks (speed-sensing, central-locking), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), run flat tyres and anti-theft system (security alarm, immobiliser).

Completing the BMW Curved Display, installed is a 14.9-Inch touchscreen central display (infotainment). 

The system runs on BMW Operating System 9.0 (BMW OS 9.0 – QuickSelect) and supports the BMW Live Cockpit Professional (BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant – voice recognition, command, gesture), BMW My Modes (settings – interior, drive), BMW Connected Package Professional (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto), BMW ConnectedDrive Services (intelligent emergency call, teleservices), My BMW smartphone app (remote access), Bluetooth and navigation.

Included is the BMW Interaction Bar (multi-function control – BMW Natural Interaction).

Entertainment is channelled via a stereo speaker system (100 W, six speakers).

The new X3 harbours a mild hybrid (MHEV) powertrain.

Working in tandem is a 2.0-Litre, inline four-cylinder 16-valve, direct-fuel injection turbocharged DOHC petrol engine (B48) and a 48 V mild-hybrid technology.

Total system output reads at 187 HP (139 KW) and 310 NM.

Mated to the setup is an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.

Power is transmitted to all four wheels, via BMW’s xDrive All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 KM/H is done in 8.5 seconds. Top speed is electronically capped at 215 KM/H.

The fuel tank capacity is 65-Litres, and the fuel consumption is rated at 7.5 L/100 KM.

The new X3 features these conveniences.

E.g., Comfort Access system (keyless entry, electric-tailgate, engine Start/Stop button), automatic headlamps (On/Off, welcome lights), High-Beam Assistant (HBA), parking sensors (six – front, rear), parking cameras (reverse, 360-degree), automatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirrors (interior/exterior), side mirrors (automatic dipping, BSM), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), door ajar warning, automatic-door locks (speed-sensing, central-locking), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), triple-zone automatic climate control (rear-vents, rear controls), steering wheel (multi-function, paddle shifters, column adjustments, EPS), electric-powered (driver-/passenger-multi-way-adjust, driver-memory) Sport seats, armrests (front – centre console, rear – centre seat fold-out), headrests (front: base carrier, clothes hanger, folding table, tablet holders, universal hook – rear), Velour floor mats, BMW Live Cockpit Professional (BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant: voice recognition, command, gesture – My BMW smartphone app: remote access – BMW My Modes: settings: interior, drive – BMW Interaction Bar: multi-function control: BMW Natural Interaction), wireless charger, interior lighting (LED – reading, floor, welcome, ambient, boot), run flat tyres and an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system.

Underpinned is BMW’s Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform. Propping-up the chassis (Standard Suspension) is a setup of MacPherson Strut (front) and multi-link (rear). 

Overall, it is solid and comfortable with a luxurious ride quality, refined and agile handling with smooth power delivery.

Good sound insulation, with all the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects of the build accounted for. 

The cabin can suppress wind, road and tyre noises well, making them barely noticeable at all speeds.