Hot off the press: if nothing unexpected will occur in the next few months, the next and second generation BMW X3 will launch at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2010. In a way, we expected the new X3 to launch first at U.S. auto show and Detroit is definitely the best choice.  The official press release and marketing materials will be unveiled to public sometimes in December of this year.

The new X3 is already one of the most awaited new BMW models since many people believe a design refresh is absolutey needed, especially since the Audi Q5 is starting to look more and more appealing to all the consumers looking to purchase a smaller Sports Activity Vehicle.

We’ve said it many times before, but we’ll continue to remind you: the upcoming BMW X1 will move into the X3’s market segment and implicitly the second generation X3 will increase its size.

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We have just learned that the second generation of the smaller Sports Activity Vehicle, BMW X3, will be officially unveiled in December. In a recent interview, Jim O’Donnell, CEO of BMW North America mentioned that the current generation production has been shortened to allow the introduction of the new model early next year.  The next BMW X3 will shortly follow the new BMW X1 which will be released at the end of this year and it will represent BMW’s entry level vehicle in the SAV market.

The 2010 BMW X3 will have a roof line slightly lower than the current model and will follow the X5’s steps by getting more round corners and a sportier look. The second generation X3 will be a more dynamic performance oriented Sports Activity Vehicle and it will have larger dimensions than the current model.  It will measure 4.65 meters long, 1.85 meters wide and 1.68 meter tall, offering a more spacious cabin and cargo space than the current generation.

All the electronic gadgets seen in other recent BMW models will make their way into the 2010 X3 as well, starting with the Night Vision System, Head-Up Display and continuing with Adaptive Headlights. The interior design has been drastically improved, a much needed upgrade requested by the BMW fans.

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With the introduction of the all-new Audi Q5 crossover, Audi of America launched a Driving Experience event which takes place in selected cities across U.S. The event provides a hands-on driving experience to anyone interested in testing the Q5 and learning more about the technology of this new Audi crossover.

Two weeks ago, the tour stopped in Chicago, our home turf, and we decided to sign up for the Driving Experience. I’m sure many of you wonder why would we have done that since we are obviously a BMW-centric website, but before you jump to any conclusions - yes, we are still very much so in love with our bimmers - we can simply answer your question: we wanted to have a hands-on experience with the Q5 since it has been marketed as a direct competitor to the X3, the smaller BMW Sports Activity Vehicle.

Since I own a BMW X3 3.0, driving the Q5 would give me the opportunity to objectively compare the two vehicles from all the possible angles.

So armed with a camera and an open mind, we drove to Soldier Field, on the shores of Lake Michigan and joined the Audi team on a beautiful Sunday. There were more than thirty Audi Q5 vehicles waiting for existing, future or potential customers. The three hour program starts with a live video presentation of the Q5 and some of the Audi’s newest technologies and plans.

Styling

Shortly after, the group joins the Audi specialists ready to talk about the Q5 design and engineering. What we learned here is that the Audi Q5 measures 15.19 ft (4.63 meters) in length and 6.17 ft (1.88 meters) wide. It also measures 5.41 ft (1.65 meters) in height, making it one of the sportier crossovers when compared to its competitors and …..those are quite numerous: Lexus RX350, Volvo XC90, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLK and Infiniti EX.

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BMW is looking to improve their sales of the X3 SAV and with a year left before the new body style is launched, they just released an entry level X3 using a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder diesel engine which outputs 143 horsepower at 4,000 rpm.

The maximum torque is 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) at just 1,750 rpm and the new BMW X3 xDrive18d accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 10.3 seconds and has a top speed of 195 km/h or 121 mph.

The X3 xDrive18d is only available in Europe.

BMW X3 xDrive18d Press Release

Munich. Fascinating agility on all kinds of terrain is now becoming more economical than ever before. Introducing a new entry-level version of the BMW X3, the world’s most successful manufacturer of premium all-wheel-drive vehicles is once again setting the standard for efficiency in a Sports Activity Vehicle.

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We are continuing the BMW at Geneva Auto Show coverage with a new announcement: BMW X3 xDrive20d emergency rescue vehicle will be presented for the first time. This will be the first time that BMW will show off a medical emergency vehicle at an auto show.

The X3 is powered by the efficient 2.0 liter turbo diesel engine outputting 177 horsepower and an average fuel consumption of 34 MPG. As expected with any emergency vehicle, the X3 is painted in white with the usual red stripes on the sides, pointing the fact that we are not looking at a regular X3. It is also fitted with a special alarm system mounted on the roof, including a blue light, siren and a LED display with the word Notarzt, which stands for “emergency doctor”

To further increase its visibility, the car’s contour markings have integrated reflective gaps on the sides and at the bottom of the boot lid.

Inside, the X3’s cabin looks like any other emergency vehicle, a radio transmitter, cargo cage the luggage space and passenger cabin. Mechanical changes are limited to an extra 12-volt battery to help power the emergency equipment.

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Just a few days ago, we talked about the BMW X3 and how it compares to its newest competitor, the Mercedes-Benz GLK. Today, BMW released the BMW X3 Limited Edition, a vehicle equipped with the popular M Sport package and M Aero Dynamic Package.

So what’s so special about this X3 Limited Sport Edition? Well, for one, it gets all the little M things, from the M leather steering wheel and the M shift level, to the exclusive Alcantara / leather Walknappa M Sport seats. Alcantara  is also found on top of the armrests and in the door panels.

The X3 rides on new 19 inch M light alloy wheels with an interesting Y-spoke design. The dynamic appearance of the new edition model is enhanced by the exclusive paint in Carbon Black metallic hue, and the BMW Individual High-gloss Shadow Line for the window frames.

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Two weeks ago at the Chicago Auto Show, I had more time to spend with the Mercedes-Benz GLK, a vehicle that is a direct competitor to the BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle. Built on the same principle as the X3, the GLK 350 is Mercedes’ attempt to take over the entry premium SUV/SAV segment.

I decided to break down the comparison into multiple sections, I will focus on exterior and interior design, engine, fuel consumption, performance and pricing.

Exterior Design

Mercedes-Benz GLK - 3 out of 5 stars

The Mercedes Benz GLK350 is very boxy when compared to the other Mercedes models, with flat sides and distinctive creases. It is clear that MB had no intention of marketing the GLK as a smaller version of the popular ML-Class models. It reminds me mostly of the 90s style, orthogonal body with plenty of creases. But in the same time, Mercedes Benz managed to give the GLK a more aggressive, something that many SUVs are missing.

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BMW X3 has finished first in the ADAC quality ranking for the second time in a row. Back in 2007, the X3 SAV was awarded the renowned ADAC “Gelber Engel” prize in the “Quality” category. What it basically means is that the BMW X3 is the most reliable car that can be found on the roads in Germany.

The “Gelber Engel” award is based on an evaluation of some 2 million cases drawn from ADAC breakdown statistics as well as a customer satisfaction study by the club magazine “ADAC motorwelt” in which around 43,000 readers participated this time.

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BMW X3 3.0 Diesel, a vehicle that  the US based BMW fans don’t have the chance to buy it or….even to drive it. Despite being a popular model overseas and exceeding BMW’s expectations when it comes to sales, the X3 Diesel is not available for the U.S market. The first SAV equipped with a diesel engine that made it to the States is the 2009 BMW X5d, which was launched in December 2008. Stronger than expected sales of the diesel equipped bimmers, and BMW might shift their strategy and import more diesels in the U.S *cough* 123d please.

The BMW X3 3.0sd is powered by a sequentially turbocharged three-liter diesel which develops 286 hp and 427.8 lb-ft of torque available from just 1750 rpm and goes from 0-62mph in approximately 7.0 seconds. Not bad for a diesel Sports Activity Vehicle.

Being an owner of a 3.0 liter petrol engine X3, I look forward to driving an X3 diesel in the near future, a comparison between the two engines would be my main focus. I have already talked quite a bit last week about the US version of the BMW X3, but today I have a special, complete and very detailed review from AutoEvolution. A great review overall since it’s broken down into several categories, feeding our curiosity all the way to the end. 

Exterior

Let’s face it, the evil-hobbit look of the X3 isn’t quite the most appealing thing on four wheels out there. BMW designers somehow acknowledged customer feedback and completely redesigned the front bumper to look more elegant but at the same time more menacing. The model we tested was also equipped with the Motorsport Technik package, so the X3 lost all its exterior black bits and confronted us with an angrier look.

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I have to admit that not very often I come across articles that are praising the BMW X3. Always living in the shadow of its bigger, older brother, the X5, the BMW X3 has been one of the most controversial vehicles built by BMW in the last ten years.

From the beginning, the pessimistic did not give the X3 many chances of survival, many believed that a smaller SAV was simply a pointless option and some of the 3 or 5 series wagons could have filled that gap between a sedan and a Sports Activity Vehicle. Within my family members we own an X3 as well, so I can certainly say that I have tons of experience driving and manhandling the car. 

While the X5 seems the perfect and safe choice when it comes to an SAV in the BMW series, the X3 fits the role of an inexpensive - when compared to the X5 - but safe xDrive ride, with decent room space and a tall ride. The ride and driving experience is fair for this smaller SAV, of course, not close to the performance and handling of a 3 Series Sedan and even Wagon version, but the all-wheel drive system makes a difference and handles well on wet or snowy road,  keeping the rear in a tight line through turns. 

The 3.0 liter engine delivers enough power even for the most picky family member and it seems to be the safe choice when it comes to choosing the engine for the X3.  The 2008 version delivers 260 horsepower and 225-pound-feet torque. 

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