2011 BMW X3 on sale in Australia

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By Tim Beissmann | March 08th, 2011

The all-new 2011 BMW X3 range has been launched in Australia offering more powerful and fuel-efficient engines, fresh exterior and interior designs and a larger overall package.

Two models will be available from launch: the entry-level xDrive20d and the mid-spec xDrive28i.

The xDrive20d is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with 135kW of power and 380Nm of torque (from 1750-2750rpm) – up 5kW/30Nm from the old model.

Combined cycle fuel consumption is a small car-rivalling 5.6 litres/100km – leading to a driving range of more than 1000km per tank – and CO₂ emissions average just 147g/km. Acceleration from 0-100km/h is a respectable 8.5 seconds.

The xDrive28i is powered by a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine with 190kW and 310Nm of torque (down slightly from the old xDrive30i which had 200kW and 315Nm).

Along with the reduced power, combined cycle fuel consumption is down from 9.7 to 9.0 litres/100km. Acceleration from 0-100km/h is six-tenths quicker than the old model, down to 6.9 seconds.

Joining the line-up later in 2011 will be the range-topping xDrive30d. Its 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder diesel engine produces 190kW of power and an impressive 560Nm of torque (from 2000-2750rpm) – an increase of 30kW and 60Nm over the old xDrive30d.

Acceleration from 0-100km/h is slashed from 7.9 seconds to 6.2 seconds, while fuel economy has improved 22 percent, down from 7.7 to 6.0 litres/100km.

The efficiency of all models is enhanced through the comprehensive implementation of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies, including the eight-speed automatic transmission from the X5, Auto Start Stop function and Brake Energy Regeneration.

Electric power steering, lightweight construction, optimised aerodynamics and reduced rolling resistance tyres on the xDrive20d also contribute to the tidy consumption and emissions figures.

Compared with the old model, the 2011 X3 is 83mm longer (4648mm), 28mm wider (1881mm) and 12mm taller (1661mm). Luggage space is 550 litres with the 40:20:40 rear seats upright and expands to 1600 litres with the seats folded down (up from 480/1560 litres).

Heated side mirrors, automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and engine start button are fitted standard, while options include auto-dimming mirrors, navigation systems with hard disk storage, panoramic sunroof and automatic tailgate operation (standard on xDrive30d).

Standard BMW ConnectedDrive features include full iPhone and smartphone Bluetooth connectivity, internet access, and driver assistance systems like emergency calling, vehicle information services and travel/leisure time planning.

The Bluetooth/USB with Voice Control allows owners to view contact photos through the display screen, view call lists made inside and out of the vehicle, view album covers, as well as stream audio wirelessly and pair two mobile phones and one media player at the same time.

All models feature a 6.5-inch colour screen, while an 8.8-inch high-resolution display is fitted when the Navigation System Professional option is ticked.

Front, side and curtain airbags are standard across the range, as well as a reversing camera. Optional features include Head-Up Display windscreen information projection, Top View bird’s-eye view vehicle monitoring, Bi-Xenon headlights and High-Beam Assist, which alters the high beams based on traffic conditions.

A range of acronyms complete a comprehensive safety package: dynamic stability control (DSC), dynamic traction control (DTC), dynamic brake control (DBC), cornering brake control (CBC), automatic differential brake (ADB-X) and hill descent control. Dynamic Damper Control (allowing the choice between Normal, Sport and Sport+ driving modes) is available as an option for the first time.

A range of 10 exterior colours is available, with four colours new to the X3. Interior options are even more diverse, with light and dark materials, wood and aluminium highlights and cloth and leather trims filling the order form.

The optional M Sport package includes aero tweaks, chrome-tipped exhaust pipes, high-gloss Shadow Line finish on the roof rails and side window surrounds, sports suspension, 18-inch lightweight M alloys, Performance Control for the xDrive system, sports seats, multi-function M steering wheel, subtle interior highlights and M badging on the exterior.

Australian pricing for the all-new 2011 BMW X3:

xDrive20d – $62,200
xDrive28i – $71,900
xDrive30d – $74,900 (available later in 2011)

Optional M Sport package (available from June):

xDrive20d – $4800
xDrive28i – $4100
xDrive30d – $3000 (available later in 2011)

CHris Chappo

fugliest car, i hate them. mini 4wd’s have zero purpose

Jimmy

I agree. I’m a huge BMW devotee but they just didn’t get the styling right with this. Very bland.
Sonic

I agree. People who buy mini 4WD’s should instead be buying wagons.

And the X3 still looks… out of proportion.

tony

looks a lot better than the old model.$75k for the 3ltr diesel plus on road is not a bad price depending on what is standard on the car, I bet the options list will blow the price out though
Nick01

The dashboard is too dark. It needs some chrome/aluminium.
Grammar Nazi

What ever happened to the Merc GLK – was that a US special? I’m sure they would have shifted a few over here.

Smoothcall

LHD only

Alex

Nice car, great drive trains, but where is the boot? SUVs are aimed at families and this car has no boot. Begs the question why not just stick to the 3-series sedan range.

Smoothcall

???

X3 – 540L boot
3-series sedan – 460L boot

Devil’s Advocate

Not to mention that 550L is only up to the window line underneath the cover. That works out to almost 50L more than a VE Commodore sedan just underneath the cover alone. So does that mean the VE Commodore sedan is an even worse family car because it’s boot is even smaller again? It doesn’t seem that bad to me for a “3 series” based vehicle and has more “boot space” than many other medium sized wagons like the Mazda6/Ford Mondeo etc. I won’t even go into how much more rear seat space this has over a 3 series sedan/touring.

Devil’s Advocate

Sorry, that works out to around 54L more than the VE sedan. I was initally going off smoothcall’s 540L and not the actual 550L capacity and forgot to change it.

Mia

I have an order in for the 30D, it won’t be here until late August. Say what you want about how it looks or about previous models or even about why people even need a 4WD, but just take one for a drive. This car is just an amazing drive. The BMW sales staff dont have to do a thing to sell this car. Just hand someone the keys and it will sell itself. These cars are selling at an amazing rate here in Australia. The waiting list is just getting longer and longer. Clearly the negative comments are by people who have not even ridden in one yet.

crouchy

Something about the headlight shaped just doesnt flow from where im sitting…
m2m

I’m surprised i’m the only one who loves it?? The rear, not so much but i think it’s a handsome car and has absolutely brilliant economy for an SUV!

XDRIVE20D with 5.6l/100 and still very decent acceleration sounds like a winner to me!
Devil’s Advocate

In true BMW style the X3 30d is over $10-12k cheaper than the 330d yet is larger, has more space inside and more complexity to it’s design ie the xdrive system etc. Even the 20d is around $7k cheaper than the 320d touring with quite a bit more interior space. Interesting.

riceboy

probably due to less tax in Australia for supposedly “farming”related vehicles versus passenger vehicles… what a load of BS…
livingstone

maybe because its still cheaper to build cars in America than Germany..

Devil’s Advocate

But it was still a similar case for the previous Austrian built X3. Plus if you use that as a basis why weren’t the South African made 3 series cheaper than the German ones as I am sure they would have been cheaper to make in South Africa? It seemed to be a lucky dip with where your 3 series came from unless it was an “individual” model!

Just for information the US acutally isn’t that cheap in the scheme of things when it comes to building cars for many manufacturers due to the United Auto Workers Union years ago when they pushed through their autoworkers entitlements scheme. This was one of the main factors that helped push GM and Chrysler over the edge during the GFC. One of their major expenditures was paying for health care and entitlements etc for tens of thousands of their retired and laid off workers on top of their current staff.

I am a BMW fan, but I still think they rip us off over here just like the majority of other Euro manufacturers.

Able

I’m scared to admit that I like the new X3. Whether that’s compared to the old one or just in general I’m not sure, but I do like it! Looks pretty good to my eyes!
MF

2 big nostrils
Ox

The old one was far more interesting to look at
Jimmy James

It looks better than the old one, its cheaper than the old one…but still too much. Base model should have been $59,990 to match the Q5.

Anyway…the base model is all the car most people would need, but seriously, I’d rather have a decent station wagon!

C

Q5 costs more than $59,990

random reader

it’s a great improvement from the old model, but still feels like that the reason to buy a x3 is cannot afford a x5. BMW should differentiate more with x3/x5 styling
dans

This is very interesting…for us in germany this car is one of the biggest, except an X5, M-Klasse or a Q7 but you do not see much bigger cars on the road right now . You can buy the X3 since two or three months and you see a lot of them driving on the roads already…Why you do not need 4WD in this car? just because it does not weight 2500 kg???
Sorry for my bad english^^
Alui

It’s the best small SUV. See Autobild comparison with MB-GLK and Audi Q5 on youtube. Ordered one(30D) for my wife, to replace her 1.1 litre petrol Smart ForFour. Only 10 grams in C02/km more with 185 BHP added:). Mind-blowing!