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BMW X3 – A Class Leading SUV

It is a well known fact that BMW have a reputation for building cars that merit the highest praise for driving excellence and overall ability. The second-generation BMW X3 has achieved this accolade on the road despite being, effectively, a small SUV with off-road credentials. It will come as no surprise to learn that in the ten years since the first X3 appeared the company has sold a million units. They must be doing something right.

 

Moving on from the first generation version, BMW took note of early reviews and owner opinions and sharpened up the X3’s appeal across the board. The current version is bigger than the model it replaced, yet it is quicker and kinder to the environment.

 

An award winning car last year, it has received a refreshing face-lift for 2014. Aesthetically, the new BMW X3 now has more in common with its bigger brother – the mighty X5 – and incorporates the family facial features. As part of the new package, satellite navigation and heated front seats now come as standard across the range. Other changes include a new headlight design, new alloys, a bolder traditional kidney grille and revised front and rear bumpers.

 

As ever, BMW’s engineering prowess has produced yet more technical advances under the bonnet with a new generation of TwinPower Turbo diesel engines. Whichever is selected buyers can be assured of excellent performance coupled with both fuel economy and CO2 emissions improvements.

 

For example, the new BMW X3 sDrive18d achieves a combined fuel consumption figure and CO2 emissions of 56.5mpg and 131g/km respectively. Meanwhile at the opposite end of the range, the new xDrive35d can still achieve 47.1 mpg whilst sprinting to 62mph from rest in a very sprightly 5.3 seconds.

 

Alongside the existing SE and M Sport variants, a new xLine trim level joins the selection. This model will be identified by metallic inserts in the bumpers, aluminium side cladding and bars in the air intakes. Underguard protection at the front and rear is added as are exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels. Leather upholstery in the xLine, obviously, which is harmoniously matched to dark copper trim and a sport leather steering wheel. The xLine trim will cost around fifteen hundred pounds more than the SE models in the UK.

 

The BMW ConnectedDrive for the revised X3 has also had some new technology added. BMW say that the iDrive Controller now has an integrated touchpad supplemented with a full-colour BMW Head-up Display, anti-dazzle high beam assistant and a function called Drive Assist Plus which incorporates lane departure warning, active cruise control with Stop & Go function and preventive pedestrian protection.

Sales of the new BMW X3 will commence in June and prices will start at just shy of £31,000 which is a little more costly than before. All these new improvements will clearly have an effect on price.  Somehow or other BMW have made the best SUV of 2013 even better.

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