More power, higher prices for X3

BMW Group Australia has revealed modest price rises and full specifications for its model year 2007 X3, which gains minor exterior cosmetic updates, a higher-quality interior and more performance and economy for petrol variants.

BMW’s facelifted compact luxury SUV was revealed globally in July and goes on sale in Australia in December – two months after its Australian public debut at this week’s Sydney motor show.

Last week’s pricing announcement revealed price rises of between $500 and $1500, with the entry-level X3 2.5si manual to be priced at $65,900 ($1000 higher than the current X3 2.5i).

Fitted with a new six-speed Steptronic auto, the self-shifting X3 2.5si is up by the same margin, to $68,500, and also receives power from a 160kW/250Nm version of BMW’s magnesium-alloy Valvetronic 2.5-litre straight six (up 19kW and 5Nm).

The X3 2.5si manual accelerates to 100km/h in a claimed 8.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 210km/h, and averages 9.9L/100km on the EU cycle.

Now powered by a benchmark-setting 200kW/315Nm version of BMW’s 3.0-litre inline six (up a big 30kW and 15Nm over the current X3 3.0i), the six-speed auto-only X3 3.0si claims 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.5 seconds, the same 210km/h top speed and average EU fuel consumption of 10.3L/100km – 15 per cent better than before.

It’s priced at $73,900 – up $1500 over the X3 3.0i.

Rounding out the revised X3 range is the facelifted X3 3.0d, which is priced $500 higher than the current six-speed auto-only model at $$75,900 and employs the same 160kW/480Nm 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.

It continues to offer claimed 0-100km/h acceleration of 7.9 seconds, a top speed of 210km/h and claimed EU fuel consumption of 8.6L/100km.

All MY2007 X3s feature new double-circular headlights, LED tail-lights, reprofiled and colour-coded bumpers with deep-set foglights and a larger BMW kidney grille on the outside, plus redesigned instrument panels, new three-spoke steering wheels, new centre consoles, new seats, new roof linings, revised trim levels and improved storage compartments. All variants will come with Bluetooth mobile phone preparation.

There are four new exterior paint colours (Crimson Red, Platinum Bronze, Monaco Blue and Montego Blue) as well as a fifth interior leather colour combination.

BMW says higher-quality cabin materials are a hallmark of the revised X3, which comprises galvanized metal door handles and HVAC controls, new plastic surfaces and an instrument panel "décor strip" that matches the centre console.

2007 BMW X3 pricing:
X3 2.5si	$65,900
X3 2.5si (a)	$68,500
X3 3.0si (a)	$73,900
X3 3.0d (a)	$75,900

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First look: Facelift time for BMW's X3