Take three from the X3 range

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

BMW has announced the price of its X3 range of four-wheel-drive models, expected to be launched in New Zealand mid-year.

Three X3s, two petrol and one diesel, will be available. The petrol models will go on sale in July and the diesel will follow around October/November.

The premium X3 uses a 170kW 3-litre straight-six engine mated to either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. The manual costs $103,900, the automatic $107,900.

The mid-range model is powered by the smaller 141kW 2.5-litre straight-six coupled to the same manual/automatic gearbox offering. The manual is $89,900, the automatic $93,900.

The entry-level X3 is the four-cylinder 2-litre turbodiesel, at $79,900. It comes with a five-speed manual gearbox only.

BMW says the X3 has already provoked strong interest from prospective buyers.

"The X3 fills an entirely new segment for BMW," said marketing manager Mark McCutcheon. "Early enquiries suggest it is likely to bring us a new group of customers."

Standard interior specification for New Zealand will include mixed cloth/leather trim in the 2.5i and all-leather trim in the 3.0i. The diesel X3 gets cloth.

Standard features on the 3-litre model, such as a six-CD stacker, front seat armrest and power front seats, are optional on the 2.5-litre X3.

The X3 has a boot space of 480 litres which expands to 1560 litres when the rear seats are folded down, says BMW.

Road wheels for both versions are 8X17 aluminium alloy, with different styles for the 3.0i and 2.5i. Tyre sizes in each case are 235/55X17.