New BMW X3 (2011): Official

The 2011 BMW X3 - Official

When even BMW were releasing ‘Spy’ shots of the 2011 BMW X3 it was a fair bet that the real deal was not a million miles away. And nor was it. BMW has spilled all the official info on the new iteration of its middle sized SAV /softroader.

This 2011 BMW X3 isn’t a radical style departure for BMW, more a nip, a tuck, a tweak and a bit bigger. BMW say the new X3 will be “…the lowest-emission four-wheel drive model in the sector, the first to have start-stop with auto transmission, unparalleled agility, significantly upgraded cabin and a raft of sector-first technology“, which is setting the bar quite high.

In terms of style BMW seem to have taken cues from the X1 and X5 for the new X3. And taken a few lessons from the Porsche 911 school of car design. The new X3 is certainly evolutionary, not revolutionary.

The nose has a bigger, more upright kidney grill; there’s a defining crease down the side running from the front wheel to the rear; the lights front and back get a tweak and the increase in size – 78mm longer, 4mm wider and an extra 15mm in the wheelbase – has made for bigger back doors and a larger luggage capacity.

On the inside BMW say that the trim quality is now distinctly Premium, with everything on a par with the 3 Series. Which is very welcome, and much overdue. The interior also gets the latest generation iDrive, with 6.5-inch screen as standard. The 8.8-inch high-res screen of the SatNav in the Professional Multimedia package featured in the new BMW X3 is the largest on-board monitor in its segment. All good.

In terms of price, BMW are trumpeting the BMW X3 xDrive20d SE which at  £30,490 is actually £115 cheaper than the old X3. BMW are also offering a set of upgrade packs at sensible money, such as the Business Advanced Media package at £2,165 which includes Business Nav (what’s ‘Business’ Nav?), Bluetooth telephone preparation with USB interface, voice control and telematics and BMW Assist.

There’s a whole heap of new BMW X3 photos below for your perusal and you may as well have a shufty at the 2011 BMW X3 press release for the nuts and bolts.

Looks much improved in all the right areas.

(38 photos – click any thumbnail for full gallery)

By Cars UK