BMW X3 sport-activity vehicle sends the power to every wheel
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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TORTILLA FLAT, Ariz. -- To reach Tortilla Flat, a sand-scratched oasis in Arizona's Superstition Mountains, we follow the Apache Trail, a narrow ribbon of sand and stone cut against red-rock canyon walls with twisty cutbacks pitched on the brink of sheer cliffs and no guard rails.
For navigating such a treacherous route, not just any vehicle will do -- you need a rig with traction applied at every wheel to keep tires tracking through all that gravel.
Our trek down the Apache Trail becomes a safe run with complete traction confidence generated from the sure-footed nature of a new all-wheel-drive (AWD) sport-utility vehicle from BMW of Germany.
This new wagon, sized for the compact class, goes by the alphanumeric tag of X3.
To emphasize X3's utility and wily traction manners, BMW nixes the SUV acronym in favor of a new three-letter descriptive of SAV, meaning sport-activity vehicle.
Think of it as a raucous sports car but outfitted with the boxy utility bay of a wagon.
Actually, the X3 resembles one of BMW's 3-Series sports sedans, only it's jacked up in the suspension and carries a wagon's cargo compartment.
The boxy package measures about fifteen feet long by six feet wide and rises five and a half feet high.
That makes it only slightly smaller than BMW's mid-size X5 wagon, in a manner similar to the way BMW's mid-size 5-Series and compact-class 3-Series sedans compare in step-down size progression.
A forceful in-line six-cylinder engine fits in front of the four-door passenger compartment that comprises two rows of seats for five riders and the cargo bay at the rear accessible through a roof-hinged tailgate.
X3 stocks a new electronically-controlled all-wheel-drive (AWD) mechanism that BMW calls xDrive.
Adjustable and infinitely variable, the device can direct the engine's power to whichever axle, front or rear, has the best traction bite.
It works with BMW's computerized four-wheel Dynamic Stability Control (DSC-X) mechanism and a traction control system (TCS-X) that can correct potentially dangerous car skid movements when wheels slip laterally or tires spin.
Normally, 40 percent of the engine's muscle is sent to the front wheels with the majority going to the rear wheels.
But slippage of a back wheel may prompt the smart system to redirect torque to front wheels that still grip.
And in an extreme situation, such a sheet of icy pavement where both rear wheels begin to spin, the xDrive unit can apply all torque to the front wheels.
Transfer of torque occurs through a multi-disc clutch that's totally variable and virtually seamless.
Off pavement, X3 adds another sophisticated device called Hill Descent Control (HDC) to keep all wheels firmly planted on a steep slope.
What makes X3 the SAV different from a conventional SUV concerns its unitized structure and the application of performance-oriented mechanical paraphernalia.
While a typical SUV rides on the chassis of a truck with a wagon's superstructure bolted on top, the X3 by contrast carries a unitized structure like a car with chassis and frame combined into a single entity that's innately strong and rigid.
It becomes a stable foundation for mounting the mechanical devices for power, suspension, steering, brakes and traction control.
Also, all components fit aboard in such a manner that weight is distributed ideally, with virtually half the vehicle's mass loading on the front wheels and the other half on the rear ones. This perfect balance makes X3 extremely controllable through predictable patterns.
And the use of lightweight aluminum for independent suspension links pares the unsprung mass of this vehicle, which ultimately helps it stick better on pavement and glide more uniformly over road bumps.
A rack and pinion steering system generates precise and quick directional control, with optional Servotronic variable power assistance governed by the speed of the vehicle.
Massive disc brakes mount at all four posts and the brakes tie through computer links to an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with dynamic brake control (DBC), electronic brake proportioning (EBP), automatic differential brake (ADB), plus the DSC-X and TCS-X. These controls check the vehicle's speed or lateral wiggle and help to hold it in linear progression without locking the wheels or skidding.
For power, BMW presents two all-aluminum in-line six-cylinder plants with a variable camshaft controller in place, as the model nomenclature follows engine patterns -- X3 2.5i and X3 3.0i.
X3 2.5i contains a 2.5-liter unit producing 184 hp at 6000 rpm and 175 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm.
X3 3.0i gets a 3.0-liter version that makes 225 hp at 5900 rpm and 214 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm.
Each engine channels all power through a sporty ZF Type H six-speed manual transmission or optional five-speed Steptronic automatic with selectable sport and manual shift modes.
X3's cabin is impressive in design and content.
Two sport bucket seats stand in front with a three-person bench in back, followed by the cargo bay. Rear seats split and fold to expand the storage space.
Both versions contain a long list of standard features, including extensive safety equipment.
Passive safety gear includes frontal and side-impact air bags for front seat riders plus inflatable curtain-style air bags mounted above side windows front and back to cushion heads and shoulders during a lateral collision, while side air bags are also available for the rear seats.
Packages load additional gear, such as a premium package with vast Panoramic Roof plus automatic climate controls and cabin trim in wood and aluminum metal.
The sport package tweaks suspension settings and adds firm-bolstered sport bucket seats, a sport steering wheel and 18-inch wheels with 235/50R18 all-season tires.
BMW's new wagons exhibit a fun-to-drive attitude with uncanny tire traction for price points that begin at $30,995 for the X3 2.5i with a manual shifter.
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| 2004 BMW X3 VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Compact 5-door SAV wagon
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| Model Options: |
Compact 5-door SAV wagon
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| Wheelbase: |
113.8 inches
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| Overall Length: |
206.8 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.5-L I6
DOHC 3.0-L I6
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| Transmission: |
2.5-L: Manual/6 ZF Type H
Auto/5 Steptronic
3.0-L: Manual/6 ZF Type H
Auto/5 Steptronic
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| Drive: |
AWD xDrive
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc
ABS/DBC/EBP/ADB/HDC
DSC-X/TCS-X
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side front)
+ 4 (head)
+ opt. 2 (side rear)
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| Gas Mileage: |
2.5-L M/6: 18/25 mpg
2.5-L A/5: 18/24 mpg
3.0-L M/6: 17/25 mpg
3.0-L A/5: 16/23 mpg
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| MSRP Price: |
X3 2.5i M/6: $ 30,995, X3 2.5i A/5: $ 32,270, X3 3.0i M/6: $ 36,995, X3 3.0i A/5: $ 38,270 |
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