BMW X3 can brave tough roads
Published: 26 Nov. 2017, 19:39

BMW has completely revamped its X3 sport utility vehicle for 2018. The third-generation model comes seven years after the X3’s last full overhaul. The vehicle’s xDrive system offers adaptive four-wheel drive for tough road conditions. [BMW KOREA]
To compete, BMW has upped the ante with its new midsize X3 SUV. The German automaker is fully overhauling the model for the first time in seven years, hoping to differentiate itself from other premium midsize SUVs in the Korean market by providing powerful and tough driving performance.

Interior of the BMW X3. [BMW KOREA]
In Korea, the goal is to sell 2,000 each year.
To experience what the new X3 has to offer, this reporter got behind the wheel of an X3 xDrive30d M Sport Package trim last week on a 200-kilometer (124-mile) course from southern Seoul to Yeoju in Gyeonggi. The route included a one-hour off-road course with a gravel bed, sandy road and river crossing.
At first glance, the car’s exterior does not appear much different from previous generations. But upon closer examination, the signature kidney grille on the front has gotten bigger, and BMW has redesigned the fog lamp with a sleeker, modern look.
The overall size hasn’t changed much, but the wheel base has gotten longer by 5 centimeters (1.9 inches), giving the impression that the car has gotten longer when seen from the side. The overhang has been shortened in the front to put the weight in perfect proportion with the back.
According to the company, the car has gotten lighter by 55 kilograms (120 pounds).

Such features proved useful on off-road courses with unexpected conditions like large pebbles and fine sand. The xDrive system’s adaptive four-wheel drive helped this reporter finish the rough course without much trouble. On a difficult sandy portion, the wheels and damper changed on their own to absorb the shock from the terrain and balance the car.
The latest model comes equipped with a four-cylinder or six-cylinder twin power turbo diesel engine, with the former producing a maximum horsepower of 190. The latter produces maximum horsepower of 265.
The four-cylinder model’s fuel efficiency is 12.1 kilometers per liter (28.5 miles per gallon), while the six-cylinder model’s fuel efficiency is 11.3 kilometers per liter.
The sticker price starts from 65.8 million won ($60,700).
BY JIN EUN-SOO [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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