Changes for X3, 3 Series

BMW has restructured both the 3 Series and X3 ranges for the new model year and the passenger car range has been upgraded with a facelift and new standard features in addition.

Cosmetically, the 3 Series sedan and Touring models can be distinguished from the superseded cars by: a restyled front apron, revised bonnet, new exterior mirrors and a redesigned tail light cluster. The cars are unchanged mechanically, other than the track being widened by 24mm.

BMW has dropped the entry-level 320i, leaving the 320i Executive the new base model, priced at $54,500.

Pricing for the other variants follows on from the 320i Executive sedan with the 320d Executive sedan ($57,500), 320i Executive Touring ($57,700), 323i sedan ($63,200), 323i Touring ($67,400), 325i sedan ($75,900), 335i sedan ($107,300) and the 335i Touring ($111,700). The 320d is not subject to the Luxury Car Tax, due to its low fuel consumption and the retail price being below the $75,000 threshold. Officially, the revised range is on sale from November 22.

A new iDrive Controller has been developed for the new model year 3 Series range. This feature and a new menu structure is packaged with the Professional Navigation System, which is standard for the 335i and optional for other variants. As part of the upgrade, this system now displays information on an 8.8-inch high-resolution colour monitor and the information is now stored on an 80-gig hard disk, with eight gigabytes free for storage of audio files from CD or USB input. The system comes with eight 'favourite' buttons for immediate access to frequently used destinations, radio stations or other personal settings. Standard for the 325i, the Business Navigation System adopts the new iDrive control feature, but is otherwise unchanged.

"The BMW 3 Series is the most successful luxury compact sport sedan in the world and we have further improved the offering to the market with the new cars," Tom Noble, BMW's General Manager for Marketing was quoted as saying.

For the X3 SUV, BMW has realigned the model range to dovetail with the company's other SUV models. This involves renaming the variants to reflect their engine type and tacking on a level of trim designation: 'Lifestyle Edition' for the base cars and 'Exclusive edition' for the upmarket variants.

As a consequence, the new cars are:
BMW X3 xDrive20d Lifestyle $61,830
BMW X3 xDrive20d Exclusive $64,730
BMW X3 xDrive25i Lifestyle $69,157
BMW X3 xDrive25i Exclusive $72,057
BMW X3 xDrive30i Lifestyle $74,877
BMW X3 xDrive30d Lifestyle $76,996
BMW X3 xDrive30i Exclusive $77,777
BMW X3 xDrive30d Exclusive $79,896

The revised nomenclature comes with minor changes to specification and the cars will arrive in BMW showrooms from December. These vehicles can be identified by a graphite metallic finish to the ('kidneys') grille and a chrome exhaust pipe tip.

In the case of the Lifestyle Edition variants, BMW has added two new colours to the exterior colour selection: Space Grey and Vermillion Red. The new standard wheels are 17-inch alloys in a V-spoke design, with the option of 18-inch wheels.

Either of two new colours, Oyster or Saddle Brown, can be specified for the Nevada leather trim. This brings the total number of leather trim colour combinations available to five. A leather-bound multi-function sports steering wheel is now fitted as standard.

For an extra charge of $2900, the X3 can be purchased in the Exclusive Edition grade, a level of trim that adds Mineral Green metallic to the standard paint palette. The standard 18-inch alloy wheels feature a 'Y-spoke' design. Other features over and above the Lifestyle spec include xenon headlights, electrically-adjustable front seats with driver's side memory, front-seat heating and walnut woodgrain trim. Features that are new to the range and standard in the Exclusive Edition are pearlescent chrome knobs for the radio, the handbrake and the optional satellite navigation system.

"The BMW X3, particularly in the new xDrive20d guise with its sub-7.0-litres per 100km fuel economy provides a deliciously tempting package for customers who want to avoid paying Luxury Car Tax, yet still want to enjoy one of the most luxurious and competent all-wheel drive vehicles available," says Tom Noble.

BMW plans for the X3 to reach showrooms next month.

In other news, the German prestige manufacturer has announced that there will be no production version of the Concept CS -- the car that, as a concept, encapsulates BMW's future design trends. The production version is a victim of belt-tightening as a result of the global economic downturn.

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