BMW X3 gets slick diesel power
BY BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS | 8th Dec 2005
As is the case in the 530d sedan, the X3 3.0d uses a 3.0-litre twin-cam 24-valve in-line six-cylinder engine producing 160kW of power at 4000rpm and 480Nm of torque between 1750rpm and 2750rpm.
This differs markedly from the M57 D30 TU 3.0-litre turbo-diesel found in the bigger X5 4WD wagon, which produces 150kW at 2000rpm and 480Nm at 2000rpm.
Dubbed M57 D30 TU2, this new engine features all-aluminium construction and common-rail direct piezo injection for gains in power, emissions, refinement and economy.
Another first for the range is the introduction of a six-speed automatic – but only in the diesel. It is a ZF unit featuring a sequential-shift gate that BMW calls Steptronic.
The 141kW/245Nm 2.5-litre and 170kW/300Nm 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engines continue unchanged.
BMW claims the automatic-only 3.0d returns 8.6L/100km on the combined EU fuel cycle, compared to 11.2L/100km for the 2.5i six-speed manual and 11.9L/100km for the auto 2.5i. The 3.0i returns a claimed 12.1L/100km.
Conversely, the X3 3.0d out-accelerates its 3.0i stablemate by 0.2 seconds in the 0-100km/h sprint. It achieves this in 7.9 seconds.
The diesel is also Euro4-compliant, exceeding the Australian Design Rules Euro3 emissions standards requirement mandatory from January 2006.
Cosmetically, the 2006 X3 editions have colour-coded bumpers, a rear-seat ski-bag, front and rear parking radar and new-design 17-inch alloy wheels.
The larger petrol-powered model also gains woodgrain trim and anti-dazzle rearview mirrors.
BMW is also expected to introduce the updated N52 B25 160kW/250Nm 2.5-litre and N52 B30 190kW/300Nm 3.0-litre petrol six-cylinder engines to the X3 inside the next few months.
Prices will rise by $1000 against the outgoing models.
2006 X3 pricing:
2.5i $64,9002.5i (a) $67,500
3.0i (a) $72,400
3.0d (a) $75,400