A world of shared adventure awaits with the new BMW X3. Boasting an elevated digital experience and enhanced driving dynamics.
ADVERTISING FEATURE in association with BMW
For better or worse – many of us can’t even leave the house without a phone in hand. But with the new BMW X3, that’s all you’ll need to get your adventure started.
Equipped with BMW Digital Key Plus, the new BMW X3 lets a smartphone (and even Apple Watch) serve as the key to unlocking and starting the car, allowing easy access. You can even share the ‘key’ with up to five people using a compatible device*.
Even before you get in the new BMW X3, you know it’s an SAV designed for adventure, with new exterior design that exudes road presence, whether you’re in the city or out on the open road.
Highlights include new optional adaptive LED headlights with a twin L-shaped signature. The iconic BMW kidney grille is also much larger and more imposing than before, with a stand-out optional Iconic Glow feature that brings an illuminated surround, making it unmistakable, even in the dark.
The new BMW X3 brings an interior layout that majors on a minimalist, elevated digital experience. It adopts a large BMW Curved Display that merges a 14.9-inch touchscreen with a 12.3-inch digital dial display in one elegant piece of glass. The new BMW X3 also uses the latest Operating System 9 (OS9) technology with new QuickSelect functionality, meaning you don’t have to scroll through menu after menu to find the function you want.
The latest operating system enables various new features, including a connected navigation incorporating optional Augmented View. With this enabled, arrows appear on the main navigation map to show which exit to take on a motorway and even which lane you need on a roundabout. You can also get in-car gaming on the touchscreen via the AirConsole** to pass by the time when you’re parked up. It all helps to keep passengers entertained before the next journey begins.
Whether you prefer touchscreens or more traditional interior controls, the new BMW X3 lets you choose, operating the core infotainment functions in three ways – touchscreen, voice assistant or with the renowned BMW iDrive controller.
The interior is an elegant affair, set off in fine style by a striking BMW Interaction Bar. It’s a glowing glass-like LED strip that stretches across the dashboard, doors and around the central jewellery box, which handily houses a wireless smartphone charger. It can be illuminated in 15 different colours depending on the selected drive mode, and sets the ambience perfectly, especially at night.
Core to the new BMW X3’s appeal is the fact you can choose petrol, a diesel, or a Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) that combines the benefits of zero tailpipe emissions when driving on the electric motor with the added range of combustion power for longer journeys.
There’s a new-generation engine line up that incorporates mild-hybrid technology – a 48V battery that supports the combustion engine helping to improve performance and boost acceleration.
But it’s the PHEV that is the stand-out choice. Courtesy of its high-energy density battery, it also offers an electric range to up to 55 miles***. It should be enough to cover most commuting distances, and with plenty of workplaces offering free or subsidised charging costs, it is an attractive ownership proposition.
For years the BMW tagline has been ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’, and that’s a trait that sometimes can feel at odds with an SAV. No such worry with the new BMW X3, which firmly lives up to its reputation. The chassis has been heavily retuned for both sportiness and comfort, and with a wider track and more powerful engines, the result is impressive.
A flagship new BMW X3 M50 xDrive model takes things up a level. Its 398hp engine is the most powerful offered on this SAV, while it also gets M Sport suspension as standard along with variable sports steering. Performance is vivid – 0-62mph takes just 4.6 seconds where conditions allow – yet never at expense of everyday comfort.
Whatever adventure you have in store, the new BMW X3 will move you.
Discover more at bmw.co.uk or request your test drive.****
* The BMW Digital Key is only compatible with selected smartphones. A list of compatible smartphones is available at bmw.com/digitalkey. BMW Digital Key function is usually available for vehicles with the following equipment: Teleservices. For new models from July 2020: BMW Digital Key with Comfort Access. For new models from July 2021: BMW Digital Key with special equipment BMW Digital Key or BMW Digital Key Plus.
** Features require a BMW Digital Premium subscription, an optional paid subscription service. Third party apps/content may require additional subscription/purchases with the app provider. Some functionality requires a network connection. Vehicle data covers apps downloaded to the car only. Terms and conditions apply. In-car gaming functionality only available when car is stationary with handbrake on.
*** 1 The BMW X3 30e xDrive is a Plug-in Hybrid vehicle requiring mains electricity for charging. This WLTP figure is for comparability purposes only. Only compare equivalent all-electric range figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. This figure may not reflect real-life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted (post registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load.
Fuel economy figures and CO2 results for the BMW X3: Mpg (combined): 35.3 – 282.5mpg. CO2 emissions: 22-180 g/km. Equivalent all-electric range (PHEV model): 53.4-55.9 miles. These figures include results for the BMW X3 Plug-in Hybrid models requiring mains electricity for charging and obtained using a combination of battery power and petrol fuel. WLTP figures shown for comparability purposes. Only compare fuel consumption, CO2 and electric range figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real-life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted (post registration), variations in weather, driving styles, fuel type and vehicle load.
**** Test drive subject to applicant status and availability