With forces like BMW pushing, it’s only a matter of time before hybrid, then electric, technology replaces the gas combustion engine just like it replaced the horse and buggy.
The latest case in point is the German automaker’s 2020 X3 xDrive 30e, a mid-range premium SUV with all-wheel drive. The model utilizes a twin-power turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine augmented with an electric motor and a lithion-ion high-voltage battery. Te vehicle can run around town in all-electric mode, with a range of approximately 20 miles.
Before years end, BMW plans to bring all all-electric version to the marketplace.
The plug-in hybrid model delivers agile handling and sporty driving characteristics, robust versatility, a versatile interior, premium quality and advanced connectivity. Its BMW xDrive system permanently distributes the drive torque between the front and rear wheels as required – even when driving purely on electric power – so as to ensure sporty driving characteristics on the road and superior off-road performance over unsurfaced terrain.
X3 seats five passengers in luxury, with a range of 320 miles. My tester achieved close to 25 miles per gallon fuel economy including a round trip over Snoqualmie Pass to Ellensburg. The two drive units together generate 288 horsepower, 310 lb-ft of torque, accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.1 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 130.
So a personal penalty is not paid for being environmentally friendly.
The BMW X3 xDrive 30e also comes in Advantage, xLine, Luxury and M Sport variants. Its standard equipment includes acoustic pedestrian protection. When driving electrically at low speeds, an unmistakeable sound designed specifically for electrified BMW models is generated to alert other road users to the approaching car without impairing the acoustic comfort of the vehicle occupants.
In addition, the new BMW X3 xDrive30e is equipped with an auxiliary air conditioning system as standard. It can also be controlled remotely from a smartphone using the BMW Connected App: the driver can climb into a warm vehicle in winter and a pleasantly cool vehicle in summer.
New digital services help make it more attractive and convenient to charge the high-voltage battery when out and about. The digital services support the driver in searching for and selecting public charging stations, enable the charging process to be controlled via remote functions and transmit information relating to charge status, electrical and combined range and individual energy consumption to the driver’s smartphone or other personal devices.
Other technology that enhances your driving experience include an adaptive suspension, variable sports steering, in-window heads-up display, active cruise control with a stop and go function, driving assist plus with steering and lane guidance, and parking brake assist. The X3 has a towing capacity of 4,409 pounds.
When it comes to creature comforts, BMW simply shows off a little more. My personal favorites were the panoramic moonroof that extended beyond the rear seats, sport bucket leather seats that could be adjusted to perfection, premium audio system with 12 speakers that could be adjusted with a finger movement without touching the screen, Apple CarPlay, voice-activated navigation system with real-time function, DVD player, and more.
With the rear seats folded flat, the X3 provides generous cargo capacity. I filled it to the brim with books and other second grade class room necessities when helping move my daughter at year’s end. Suffice to say, there is more than enough room for golf bags and push carts.
BMW ensures the X3 is one of the safest rides on the road with an exhaustive array of equipment highlighted by ABS and Driveline traction control, electronic stability control, roll stability control, frontal collision warning with city collision mitigation, tire specific low tire pressure warning, backup camera, and anti-theft protection.
Base Price: $49,549
Price As Driven: $54,640
Destination charge is included in base price. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer and list price may vary at local dealerships.
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Contact writer Larry Lark: lrwheels57@gmail.com
