It is always a challenge to renew a sales success such as X3. This SUV is in fact one of the first launched by BMW, almost 20 years ago, a few years after the ball opened in the Bavarian manufacturer, the X5.
With more than 3.5 million copies sold since its inception, therefore, this fourth generation X3 was particularly expected. We tried it in its XDrive 30 version, which receives a new rechargeable hybrid engine.
This new generation grows by 3 centimeters, with 4.75 meters long, but turns out to be a bit lower, 2.5 centimeters, for a slightly more dynamic profile.
The style is quite massive, with a flat hood that leads to an XXL version of double haricots. A rack that receives a new drawing with lines that cross and a banner of light that frames it completely.
A vehicle that wants to be family, with a large space on board. On the other hand, on the chest side, the rechargeable hybrid version sees the volume tapas at 460 liters, or 110 liters less compared to microhridized thermal versions (diesel and gasoline).
There is also a 50 -liter fuel tank, compared to 60 in diesel and 65 in gasoline.
It should be said that this rechargeable hybrid version is logically put in its widely reinforced electrical part, with a battery of the same footprint as in the previous generation, but that it sees its almost double capacity, from 10 to 19.7 kWh. Enough to promise almost 90 km of autonomy.
Small quick route inside: with two screens in a single slab, one for meters and one for infonthenation and, of course, compatibility with carplay and wireless Android. You can customize the light atmosphere with a wide variety of colors.
This is particularly the case around a black plastic block that incorporates a handful of doors, ventilation settings, unlocking doors and the memorization of the seats. A certain touch of originality, but that has disappointed us a bit in its visual aspect.
A symbol also of an sometimes complex ergonomics inside an interior that puts a lot in touch, especially for air conditioning controls, while going through the central console, with an alternative selection wheel and shortcuts to different menus.
But, above all, we wanted to try this rechargeable hybrid engine. It consists of a 4 -cylinder 2 -liter gasoline engine of 190 horsepower, with an electric motor of 184 horsepower. The two partners make it possible to have 299 horsepower.
Also keep in mind that the vehicle is well in 4 -wheel drive, even in 100% electric mode, with an electrical block placed between the heat engine and the 8 -speed ZF automatic gearbox.
A first very electric consumer evaluation
On our first trip, in the “automatically electric” mode that maximizes the use of the electrical part, we drove 83 km, including 63 km in electricity or 75% of the trip.
Our electricity consumption is logically very high, with just over 20.7 kWh per 100 km. And on the gas side, we limit consumption to 2.7 liters per 100 km.
A second empty battery trip
Then we wanted to see how the vehicle behaved with its downloaded battery. The energy seal present ultimately allows you to find sensations close to a hybrid classic, with the electricity support in the acceleration phases, for example.
In this context and more than 40 km, the consumption of gasoline was 7 liters per 100 km. With negative electricity consumption: the vehicle has finally recovered the energy of this empty battery driving phase.
The ideal, of course, remains to recharge your hybrid car … rechargeable, with a home terminal or at your workplace, for example. The load power can now reach 11 kW, just over 2 hours to completely recharge this battery. The modes also allow to maintain electric autonomy or load this battery thanks to the heat engine.
The prices of this new BMW X3 begin from 63,900 euros with the 20s of gasoline (yes, more than “20i”, this letter is now reserved for electricity, such as the future IX3, for example).
Our rechargeable hybrid version begins at 71,900 euros, but with almost 20,000 euros in options. This X3 30 escapes the CO2 fine, which represents between 4,000 and almost 12,000 euros of surcharge in other engines, but not the penalty of the penalty that rises from all the same to 4,320 euros.
Source: BFM TV
