The ‘PHEV-er’ for X3 heats up some more
German automotive luxury doesn’t find a more iconic name than BMW. It has been the “Ultimate Driving Machine” since 1974. BMW has also found itself a very welcoming home in the Philippines, with not a few car clubs and online groups dedicated to the brand.
In the current BMW roster, the most popular seems to be the X3 sports activity vehicle. And now BMW in the Philippines rolls out the 4th- generation, the all-new G45—the BMW X3 30e xDrive M Sport—now as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or PHEV. ICE purists need not fret, though. The new X3 still drives like a BMW—a power output and torque of 299 hp and 450 N-m, respectively, acceleration from 0 to 100 kph in 6.2 seconds, an eight-speed Steptronic Sport Transmission, and a top speed of 215 kph. The only hint that there’s an electric motor in there is the presence of a portable flexi-charger and the indicated WLTP range of 81 to 90 km on pure electric mode.
On April 14 at the RSA BMW showroom in Greenhills, San Juan City, SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp., the official importer and distributor of BMW in the Philippines, announced the arrival of the 4th-gen X3, and right away it promised BMW enthusiasts that they’ll be having so much fun driving the new X3, they’ll forget that it’s actually a PHEV made with sustainable materials, including the X3’s newly designed electrically adjustable and heated sport seats upholstered with vegan Veganza and Alcantara, with surfaces and cushioning made from secondary material.
The X3’s use of vegan seating material is part of an important automotive trend, as the industry slowly makes offering vegan-friendly materials part of mainstream car features. BMW is offering this material to customers who prefer animal-free materials in their cars, which I believe constitutes a more compassionate approach to the car business.
Using the plush Veganza and Alcantara materials in the X3 is a crucial part in pushing the use of such materials to the mainstream, especially since this SAV enjoys a large following among BMW enthusiasts. SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp. president, Spencer Yu, said that the X3 is one of the company’s “most important models because it is our top seller.”
Yu said the GO1 version of the X3, or the 3rd generation, sold “close to 1,200 units in its entire lifetime, and we’re talking about a premium car worth over P4 million. This is a testament to the BMW X3’s enduring appeal and to the strong connection it has forged with the Filipino consumers.”
He said that the success of the X3, from the GO1, down to the 2nd-gen X3, the F25 produced from 2010 to 2017, to the 1st-gen E83 produced from 2003 to 2010, paves the way for a new chapter of the X3. “We are very confident that the G45 X3 will continue the legacy,” Yu stressed.
2 engines in a car
Referring to the X3, Yu added, “We are introducing another vehicle with the complete suite of BMW features and attractive and competitive pricing. When I say competitive, we are talking about two engines in one car, least we forget. There’s the hybrid powertrain, plus all the features that we have that our product team has put in: 20-inch wheels, and the M Sport Trim.” The all-new BMW X3 with the M Sport package features 20-inch M light-alloy wheels with M Sport brakes and blue-painted calipers and bespoke design cues for optimizing airflow and aerodynamic balance.
“Some of you have driven the 50e (the X5 PHEV), and they will understand that, yes, BMW makes plug-in hybrids, but the point of the BMW PHEV is, first and foremost, performance. The fuel efficiency and sustainability portion is the big bonus you get from this,” said Yu. “The X3 rides, handles and drives just like how a BMW should.”
Substantial warranties
The all-new BMW X3 30e xDrive M Sport PHEV offers a five-year (or 200,000 km) comprehensive BMW warranty, and an eight-year (or 120,000 km) BMW electric battery warranty.
The BMW Live Cockpit Professional, complete with the cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system, adds not only the BMW Head-Up Display, but also the augmented view function in the control display. In addition, new equipment packages are available for targeted customization of the car. The Premium Package features lumbar support, the Harman Kardon surround sound system, the Travel & Comfort System, LED headlights, and sun blinds for the rear side windows. The all-new BMW X3 30e xDrive M Sport, meanwhile, comes with the BMW IconicSounds Electric for special sound effects.
The all-new BMW X3 comes with the latest version of BMW iDrive with QuickSelect to provide intuitive, easy control. Its new home screen shows vertically arranged function icons on the same level. The QuickSelect feature allows functions to be activated directly without having to enter a submenu. The new BMW iDrive, which is based on the BMW Operating System 9, is geared squarely to touch and voice control.
Smartphone integration using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is available as standard. The BMW ID and My BMW App make it easy to personalize the user experience in the all-new BMW X3.
