BMW India is planning to launch the 2011 X3 SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) in the country by June 2011. And as it will be a CBU there won’t be a long wait for its launch now. The 2011 BMW X3 will replace the current variant in India. The German company will likely assemble the car at its Chennai plant. The expected price of the base X3 is around Rs. 40 lakh.
BMW’s interest in SUVs has been growing rapidly. In December 2010, BMW had launched its cheapest SUV, the X1, at a price range of Rs. 22 lakh – Rs. 32.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) in a bid to capture the Toyota Fortuner and Honda CR-V.
When launched in India, the new BMW X3 will take on the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, Volvo XC60, Toyota Landcruiser Prando and Mitsubishi Montero.
The dashboard has a horizontally orientated instrument panel accentuating the width of the interior. The X3 inherits the Black Panel technology already featured in the 7-series and 5-series sedans. Besides, the instrument panel also houses a ‘head-up display’ and optional 8.8-inch navigation system. The driver-oriented central console layout and commanding view of the road will encourage the X3 owner to enjoy driving.
The BMW xDrive is a standard feature that offers variable distribution of torque between front and rear axles. xDrive combines with DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) nullifying the oversteer or understeer issues. The electric power steering (EPS) offers precise handling. With regard to safety, the X3 will come with Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Automatic Differential Brake (ADB-X) and Hill Descent Control.
As the name suggests, the X3′s dimensions will straddle the X1 and X5. The SAV that will come in June will be the second generation X3 (a.k.a F25). The F25 is more or less similar to its previous generation apart from a few styling differences. It is available in 3L 6 cyl petrol engines mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. There are 2 and 3 liter diesel engine also available.
As of now it is too early to comment on the launch. But we expect 3 variants of X3 to come to the shores, just the way BMW did for the X1. The company also has plans to expand the production by June to accommodate the new SAV.
Also see – Spied – BMW X3 in Pune
Video of 2011 BMW X3 –
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