BMW unveils all-new X3

SMC Asia Car Distributors Corporation (SMCACDC), the country’s distributor for BMW vehicles in the country, launched the all-new BMW X3 at the BGC Amphitheater last weekend.

SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp. was appointed by the BMW Group as the importer, distributor, and service provider of BMW automobiles in the country last year after businessman Ramon S. Ang partnered with Palawan governor and businessman Jose Alvarez to acquire a majority stake in the latter’s BMW distributorship, Asian Carmakers Corp. (ACC).

SMCACDC is a wholly owned Filipino company under San Miguel Corporation (SMC) chaired by Ang, who is a well-known car collector as well.

SMC is recognized as one of the Philippines’s largest and most diversified conglomerates, with businesses in beverages, food, packaging, fuel and oil, power, and infrastructure.

It was reported by Inquirer last year that SMC took a majority stake in the local importer and distributor of the Munich, Germany-based luxury car maker.

SMC said in a stock exchange disclosure that it filed the necessary incorporation papers for SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp. with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 17 last year.

Widest dealership in luxury segment

In the Philippines, BMW enjoys the widest dealership network in the luxury vehicle segment with eight full service dealer facilities nationwide.

It had also aggressively expanded its growing motorcycle business with five BMW Motorrad dealerships.

SMCACDC is supported by BMW Group AG through its regional office in Singapore, BMW Asia Pte. Ltd.

The X3 launch is the first all-new model to be unveiled under SMCACDC. There are plans to introduce more new models this year.

“Today’s launch exhibits how the third generation of the all-new BMW X3 mirrors the BMW brand’s ultimate promise of Sheer Driving Pleasure,” said SMCACDC president Maricar Parco.

“We are confident that this new addition to our sports activity vehicle (SAV) portfolio will pose immense appeal with an identity hinged on innovation, enhanced connectivity, and offroad mobility—allowing the driver to take on every remarkable mission and pursue his passion, whatever it may be.”

Mid-size SAV

BMW calls the X3 a premium “mid-size” SAV that is now already a familiar staple in the BMW X family.

The all-new X3’s bold and dynamic design combines its rugged off-road looks with a sporting presence, but BMW kept its exterior dimensions largely unchanged, maybe except for a slightly longer wheelbase (5 cm), allowing a long bonnet and very short front overhang with an almost perfect 50:50 weight distribution between the front and rear axle for better balance and maneuverability.

Thanks to engineered plastics, more aluminium components, and state-of the-art composites, overall weight was reduced by 55 kilograms compared to its predecessor model.

The X3 cuts through the air more efficiently, thanks to a class-leading drag coefficient of 0.29.

Visually, the new X3 has a more expressive “three-dimensional” BMW kidney grille design with new hexagonally-shaped fog lamps, which is new in the X family.

Other key design features include a downward sloping roof spoiler and twin exhaust pipes that add to its sporty presence.

Two trim variants

For now, there will be two trim variants available in the market—the xDrive20d xLine and the xDrive 20d M Sport models.

The all-new BMW X3 xDrive20d xLine is available at P4.39 million, while the all-new BMW X3 xDrive20d M Sport is priced at P4.59 million.

The xLine variant comes with a radiator grille and other exterior details in satinated aluminium finish and variant-specific 19-inch light-alloy wheels.

The xLine is also standard-fitted with full Vernasca leather upholstery sports seats with décor stitching and interior trim strips in black high-gloss with highlight trim finishers in Pearl Chrome.

The xLine offers a more executive and elegance trim, while the xDrive20d M Sport variant has more distinctive aerodynamic features and a different variant-specific 19-inch light-alloy wheels and new exterior paint shade of Phytonic Blue.

The M Sport variant carries a more athletic persona, and is packaged with matching trims and aesthetics including an M Sport leather steering wheel, sports seats, anthracite-colored BMW individual headliner, and new interior trim strips in aluminium Rhombicle in the interior.

Both variants are powered by a new generation 2-liter BMW TwinPower turbo diesel engine rated at 190 hp and 400 Nm mated to an eight-speed Steptronic transmission with gearshift paddles. Both also use the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system.

New goodies

New goodies for the new generation X3 for both variants include a three-zone automatic climate control, with separate temperature controls for the rear compartment, driver and front passenger areas.

For more cabin comfort, X3 is fitted with acoustic glazing on the windscreen for extremely low noise levels, even at high speeds.

The X3 also has a parking assistant feature that measures potential spaces while driving past at low speeds, and aids the driver in steering, acceleration, braking, and gear selection to automatically position the car into parallel and lateral parking spaces.

The all-new X3 likewise comes with the latest version of the BMW iDrive system. The navigation system opens up a 10.25-inch touchscreen with gesture control feature, which was previously exclusive to the current BMW 7 Series and new BMW 5 Series.

The gesture control allows numerous infotainment system and telephone functions to be operated intuitively using finger and hand gestures.