8/7/2019 An Enjoyable X3 Drive

1/3

An enjoyable X3 drive

R. Berto Wedhatama, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Bandung | Sat, 04/09/2011 8:00 AM | Lifestyle

JP/R. Berto Wedhatama

I was puzzled when the BMW X3 xDrive35i I was driving suddenly went dead when I stopped at

a traffic light in Senayan, South Jakarta, recently.

It was a brand new car and I was the first journalist to have the opportunity to test-drive it. So,

why did it suddenly die on me? As far as I remember, Id never had such an embarrassing

experience: stalling at a traffic light.

Unexpectedly, my friend Roberto from PT BMW Indonesia laughed and said the engine had

turned off because he had activated the Auto Start Stop system.

This feature will automatically switch off the engine every time the car stops for a short while,

just like at the traffic light. When the traffic light turned green and I pressed the acceleration

pedal, the engine promptly came to life and the car ran again like before.

This system is meant to save on fuel consumption. Isnt it amazing?

For this test drive, our destination was Bandung. Before entering the cabin, I noticed the car was

far sportier than its predecessor. Its headlights boast the typical Bi Xenon as well as the corona

LED lamps.

Its windows are aluminium lined, with a titanium look on the front and rear bumpers. Although

there is some semblance to the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, the strong accents of its fender curves

combined with the short distance between the front-wheel axle and the dashboard area make itdifferent and further highlight the image of this car as a sports activity vehicle.

Sitting in the drivers seat makes one instantly aware of BMWs modern and luxurious touch,coupled with the cars 2-zone-control automatic AC and Nevada leather upholstery, in

8/7/2019 An Enjoyable X3 Drive

2/3

contrasting seams and colors.

Some panels with various features are also within easy reach, thus maintaining the driversconcentration. Slightly above is a panoramic glass sunroof, while the back-seat area is quite

spacious, and even without loading anything Im sure it has a baggage capacity of up to 1,600

liters.

As we entered the toll road, we could enjoy the power of the cars engine. Equipped with

TwinPower Turbo, direct injection and valvetronic technology, the new engine has one-line sixcylinders to mark its character and quality.

The 3,000 cc engine, according to its manual, is capable of producing a maximum power of 306

hp at 5,800 rpm and a maximum torsion of 4 Nm between 1,200 and 5,000 rpm.

As I stepped on the gas, the engine responded instantly. It took only 5.7 seconds to reach a speed

of 100 km/hour from 0, climaxing at 245 km/hour.

Interestingly, despite the high rotation, the engine maintained its gentle sound and fuel

consumption efficiency.According to my records, the car does 11.5 kilometers to the liter using Pertamax gasoline,

producing a CO2 emission of 240 grams/kilometer.

On the Cipularang toll road, which was bumpier, I thought shocks and shakes would be apparentin all car types, but this car proved me wrong. The BMW X3 is furnished with integrated

Dynamic Stability Control, which quickly and rightly corrects any tendency of over- or under-

steering.

Moreover, this new unit is equipped with a fresh suspension technology combining double joint

springs the front strut axle and the back five-link axle. On a broader track, this combinationcreates agility and comfort for the driver.

Winding, ascending and descending roads that require high concentration result in no exhaustionin the driver because the car has Electronic Power Steering Servotronic technology, which

automatically regulates system power steering according to relevant speeds to offer comfortable

driving precision. This was also felt on the road to Lembang, Bandung.

Although, this is a sporty car, it is equipped with a luxury entertainment system, comprising a

6.5-inch monitor with color liquid crystal display, Radio BMW Professional that reduces noise,

CD, MP3, USB audio interface, using BMW Hi-Fi Loudspeaker System with 12 loudspeakersand a 205-watt digital amplifier.

Bluetooth connection for all cell phones with audio streaming and integrated owners manualenables all those in the car to use their cell phones through this connection without taking turns.

On my way back to Jakarta, I changed this car for a BMW X3 xDrive20d. There is no basic

difference in the exterior except for the color and the absence of a glass panoramic sunroof. The

8/7/2019 An Enjoyable X3 Drive

3/3

car I drove home has a turbo diesel engine with one-line four cylinders of a 2-liter capacity,

made of aluminium and equipped with common rail direct injection.

The engine, therefore, is capable of producing 184 hp at 4,000 rpm and a maximum torsion of

380 Nm between 1,750 and 2,750 rpm. A speed of 0 to 100kilometer/hour can be reached in 8.5

seconds, peaking at 210 kilometer/hour.

Still, the diesel engine has quite a mild sound almost the same as the gasoline fueled car.

Besides, it is very economical with 1 liter covering 17.8 kilometer on average and emitting only247 grams/kilometer of CO2.

This car was launch on April 6, 2011 in two variants: BMW X3 xDrive35i with a six-cylinder

gasoline engine and BMW X3 xDrive20d with a four-cylinder diesel engine. The xDrive20d typeoffers two choices: BMW X3 xDrive20d Business and BmwX3 xDrive20d Executive, differing

only in their interiors. Prices range from Rp 700 million to Rp 900 million off the road.