Test drive BMW X3 E83 2004 - 2007 SUV

All the roads of the world

Mr. Kremer, the head of the Russian representative office of BMW Russland, approached the sprayed mud of the mud of the X-third.
- Well, how is the off -road route?
- In my opinion, too simple.
- And you try to drive again.
Do not fix, but to pretend
On a steep, percent of forty, a rocky descent BMW X3 strives to accelerate, despite the first -handed (using the STEPTRONIC function) the first gear in the machine. I try to hold the brakes, but on the bald patches wet the car, look, it will turn the car. It is good that there is a magical HDS button - Hill Descent Control: I pressed it - the all -wheel drive slows down to 8 km/h, which then automatically supports, regardless of the coating and steepness of the slope. The keys + and - on the multifunctional steering wheel, the descent speed can be changed from 6 to 25 km/h. Electronics selectively slinging the wheels, protecting the car from a turn.
Now the clay rise ... SUVs with a traditional all -wheel drive scheme go up, slightly slipping the main drive wheels - only then multi -disc or VISKOFT connects the second axis. In the new BMW, the XDRive system gives the command to connect the front wheels in advance, evaluating the steepness of the slope with the sensors, linear and angular speed of the car, the angle of rotation of the steering wheel, the degree of opening of the throttle and other parameters. As a result, no hint of slipping is a confident rise, as on a professional all -terrain vehicle with a rigidly connected front bridge.
The coupling is completely blocked and at a sharp start, then at 20 km/h it begins to bloom, and after reaching 180 km/h it open completely - the car becomes rear -wheel drive. The compression force of the clutches of the clutch sets a miniature electric motor. The degree of locking is correctly adjusted, to completely close the coupling, 0.08 s is enough. The redistribution of the moment between the axes, which means, changing the characteristics of the rotation, the electronics will hold the car, for example, in a slippery turn, without even resorting to the help of DSC - a mass -installed stabilization system.
... Acceleration, turning on a slope and rise - no, this track is not so simple. Another thing is that X-third saved from thrill, turning Off-Road into a slight walk.
ELITE
However, we will be fair - BMW X3 was not created to storm off -road. The range of his habitat is all the roads of the world with good coating and with bad, as stated in an advertising booklet. In terms of design, a new all -wheel drive from BMW refers to the mentioned SUVs: a supporting body, independent pendants on subframes, no low transmissions in a handout and inter -normal locks. Unlike most rivals with the transverse location of the power unit and the main leading wheels in front, in X3, the in -line six -to -line six is \u200b\u200binstalled longitudinally and gives, first of all, the rear axle.
Another difference is due to belonging to the highest layers of the parquet community: the usual volume of the engine in a car of this class is 2, rarely 2.5 liters. In BMW, the line of power units only begins with 2.5 liters and 192 liters. s., Moreover, this motor will appear later. The very first cars were represented with a three -liter power unit: 231 liters. With.; 7.8 from acceleration to 100 km/h; 210 km/h maximum speed. Even faster, a car with a sports package, which is offered in the form of an option - it accelerates to 224 km/h. Finally, a recently modernized three -liter turbodiesel, which, thanks to a huge moment of 410 N.M, even wins a second in the exercises for elasticity of a more powerful gasoline counterpart.
I must say that the chassis settings quickly give out the asphalt essence of BMW X3. Pretty tough, it does not allow swing, provides quick and accurate reactions without high -rope validity and slowness characteristic of high all -wheel drivers. On the winding highway, the X-third will give a head of the other impressive sedans, especially since the steering wheel power steering can be installed as additional equipment. Of course, you have to pay for pleasure - it is shaking on the potholes, you should not fly away.
WHO IS BIGGER?
It was already at dusk that was located in the mountains of an off -road training ground. One turn, the third, tenth ... And here I understand that I am traveling along the serpentine almost as quickly as during the day - it turns out that rotary headlights allow you to literally look around the corner and perfectly highlight the track there with a powerful xenon beam. However, such headlights, like a huge panoramic hatch with an area of \u200b\u200b0.65 m2, are installed only on order. The list of additional equipment also includes a navigation system with a DVD, a phone with a Bluetooth interface, a 500-vat Hi-Fi audio system with ten speakers, parking sensors, rain and illumination sensors.
But there is a lot of standard equipment: for example, an indicator of air leakage from the wheels, an flight comprehensive compartment with a sound warning about ice, six airbags. And with the help of Car Memory and Key Memory functions, the owner programs many individual settings - receiver, chair, air conditioning, etc.
Production, focused on the production of three hundred BMW X3 per day, has been established in the Austrian grace at the plant of Steir. Sales in Europe and the United States will begin in early 2004, the price is from 42 thousand euros. In Russia, X-thirds are waiting in February-March.

A xenon cat's eye not only shines around the corner, but thanks to a special curtain it works in the near/long mode.

The front places are separated by a massive tunnel, at the top extends
the display of the navigation system.

Two large scales remained on the dashboard, and a couple of indicators settled in the lower part of the tachometer.

For the best hanging, the battery is placed in the trunk, and the spare wheel is suspended from the outside under the bottom.

Full -wheel drive system XDRive.

The exquisite and carefully trimmed salon is able to accommodate the crew of the boat - four - four hefty rowers and a subtile steering.

Christian Kremer, CEO of BMW Russland Trading
- Your personal opinion about the two new products of the BMW concern - Models X3 and the 6th series in terms of the driver?
- First of all, these are two conceptually completely different cars. Therefore, the sensations that you are driving are completely different. But in one cars are similar - they invariably give pleasure. BMW of the 6th series is a continuation of the long tradition of BMW in creating a luxurious compartment (read about the car in the next issue of ZR - Ed.). The car is distinguished by a sporting character (especially with the SMG box) and elegance, designed for true connoisseurs of beauty. X3 - an all -wheel drive all -around, equipped with the latest XDRive system. It opens a new market segment for the BMW, where so far we could only offer a larger X5. I think in Russia both of these models - both the coupe of the 6th series, and X3 will be successful.
- In what trim levels and price ranges will these cars be offered when sales will begin?
- Both new products will appear with dealers in early 2004. The configurations and prices have not yet been determined, but I can say that the BMW X3 will cost from 55 to 60 thousand euros, and the BMW of the 6th series - from 100 thousand.
- Do you think new models will find their own customers or turn over adherents of other brands? Can the main competitors of the X3 and the 6th series in the Russian market be called?
- As I said, the BMW X3 and the BMW of the 6th series will open new market segments for BMW, where the brand has not yet been presented, and I think that this will determine the growth of sales in Russia and all over the world.
- Are there any prospects for models of X3 and the 6th series to be collected at the enterprise in Kaliningrad?
- So far, there are no plans for the production of BMW of the 6th series and X3 at the factory in Kaliningrad.
 

Yuri Nechetov. Photo by the author and BMW

Source: The magazine "Driving"