BMW says its UK sales target for its redesigned X3 SUV will be around 5,000 vehicles as it looks to build on the success of the previous version.
In Austria to showcase its winter driving training programme, BMW said the new X3 – released last weekend – would offer a host of upgrades in its segment.
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“The first X3 established the segment and the new one is slightly longer,”BMW UK general manager product and market planning Chris Brownridge said.
“It has the full roster of efficient dynamics and better performance, [as well as] introducing head-up display and connected drive to the segment.”
Demand has already proved strong with a sales split of around 60/40 retail to corporate.
Prior to launch, BMW took around 180 UK dealers to the Spartanburg plant in South Carolina which – benefiting from a US$1bn investment – now builds the X3 instead of Magna Steyr in Austria. Annual production at the US facility is now expected to increase by 50% to 240,000 vehicles in response to demand for the SUVs made there – the X5 and X6 also come off the US line.
Brownridge is convinced the updated X3 will meet its sales targets despite the undoubted uncertainty facing the UK economy as government grapples with cutting a huge budget deficit.
“The economic outlook certainly looks as if it could be very challenging but the X3 segment is a healthy [one],” he said. “Its residual value is 12% better than the last car – when people are looking to tighten their belts it is good.”
BMW UK will initially offer the X3 in a single SE trim with two-litre diesel motor. “Consumer demand is almost exclusively diesel – the fuel-efficient nature of our diesel engines lends itself to that,” said Brownridge.
The engine delivers maximum power of 184hp at 4,000 rpm and peak torque of 380 Nm between 1,750 and 2,750 rpm. This results in a zero-62mph time of 8.5 seconds, reaching top speed of 130mph, yet CO2 emissions for this four-wheel drive vehicle are only 149g/km, with average fuel consumption of 50.4 mpg.
Other engines will be launched later but in the UK the 2.0d will account for approximately 80% of all sales.
The 2.0d with automatic transmission achieves identical acceleration, top speed and fuel consumption, with a CO2 emission level of 147g/km. This reduction in emissions is thanks to it the first BMW model in the UK to team auto start-stop technology with the optional eight-speed automatic transmission. Start stop is also standard with the manual transmission.
At GBP30,490 road-ready, it is actually GBP115 less than the outgoing model, yet is equipped as standard with Nevada leather upholstery, two-zone air conditioning, iDrive controller and colour display.
Options include a panoramic sunroof, high-end audio equipment and the professional multimedia package with hard-disk storage, as well as automatic tailgate operation and a tow coupling with electronically pivoting ball head.
Available ‘ConnectedDrive’ driver assistance items unique in the segment include head-up display, adaptive headlights, high-beam assistant and reversing camera including top view, giving a 360 degree panoramic view for the driver.
Following extensive research of buying habits of previous X3 buyers, the new generation model can be specified with several packages that bring together the most popular options at cost-effective prices.
Competitors include the Audi Q5, Volvo XC90 and Land Rover Freelander.
Additional reporting: Graeme Roberts
