Review: BMW G01 X3 (2017-on)

Overview

Released in Australia in November 2017, the BMW G01 is a mid-size ‘Sports Activity Vehicle’. Manufactured at BMW’s Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, USA, the BMW G01 X3 range for Australia initially consisted of xDrive20d, xDrive30i and xDrive30d variants, with the sDrive20i following in December 2017. In 2018, the range was expanded with xDrive20i and M40i variants.

All G01 X3 engines comply with Euro 6 emissions standards and feature the following technologies –

• Auto Start Stop: shuts down the engine when the vehicle is stationary in traffic;
• Brake Energy Regeneration: regulates alternator output to recharge the battery when the vehicle is coasting or braking; and,
• Eco Pro drive mode: adjusts engine management, throttle response and transmission behaviour to minimise fuel consumption.

Eight-speed automatic transmissions are fitted as standard across the range.

xDrive all-wheel drive system

For the BMW G01 X3, the ‘xDrive’ all-wheel drive system is understood to have an electronically controlled, multi-plate clutch in the transfer case. While the all-wheel drive system for the BMW F25 X3 provided a 40:60 front:rear torque split by default (with the clutch partially engaged), the rear bias for the G01 X3 has been increased ‘to improve handling dynamics’. In addition to partial engagement, the clutch can be fully engaged (for a 50:50 front:rear torque split) or completely open (all torque to the rear wheels); the latter may occur when driving at high speed or when parking.

The xDrive system interacts with the electronic stability control system such that torque distribution can be varied in response to oversteer or understeer, and individual wheels can be braked to transfer torque to the opposing wheel (i.e. cross-axle torque transfer).

Body and dimensions

Compared to the BMW F25 X3 which it replaces, the G01 X3 is 51 mm longer (at 4708 mm), 10 mm wider (1891 mm), 15 mm taller (1676 mm) and has a 54 mm longer wheelbase (2864 mm). Inside, the G01 X3 has a luggage capacity of 550 litres, though this increase to 1600 litres when the rear seats are folded and luggage is filled to the roofline. Furthermore, the G01 X3 has a ground clearance of 204 mm, approach angle of 25.7 degrees, a departure angle of 22.6 degrees, a breakover angle of 19.4 degrees and a maximum fording depth of 500 mm.

The BMW G01 X3 has a 50:50 front:rear weight distribution and, for comparable variants, is up to 55 kg lighter than its predecessor. The BMW X3 xDrive20d, for example, has an unladen weight of 1750 kg (DIN). For the G01 X3, mass reduction measures include the increased use of aluminium components in the engine and suspension systems, and the inclusion of plastics and composites.

The BMW G01 X3 has a drag co-efficient of 0.29 Cd, though this increases to 0.33 Cd for the X3 M40i. For the G01 X3, aerodynamic measures include additional underbody cladding, a restyled roof spoiler with aero edges and ‘active air flap control’ which controls a flap in the radiator grille to regulate air flow for the engine.

Suspension

The BMW G01 X3 has a double-joint spring strut axle and a five-link rear axle. For the M Sport package, the sports suspension has firmer dampers and stiffer anti-roll bars. As an extra-cost option (though standard for the X3 M40i), the BMW G01 X3 can be specified with ‘Dynamic Damper Control’ which consists of electronically controlled dampers that continually adjust damping resistance according to road conditions and driver behaviour. Furthermore, the Drive Experience Control switch enables the driver to select from sport or comfort damper settings.

Steering

The BMW G01 X3 has rack-and-pinion steering with speed-sensitive, electric power assistance (BMW’s ‘Servotronic’). For Australian-delivered vehicles, the BMW G01 X3 has variable ratio steering as standard, while the G01 X3 has a turning circle of 12.0 metres.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the BMW G01 X3 includes dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.

For Australian deliveries, standard active safety technologies for the BMW G01 X3 include –

• BMW’s ‘Driving Assistant’:
  • Approach control and person warning with city braking function: operating at speeds from 10 km/h to 60 km/h for pedestrian detection and up to 80 km/h for vehicle detection, the approach control warning system initially warns the driver if there is a risk of a frontal collision. In its second stage, the brakes are pre-conditioned for faster response and, if the driver fails to react, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) is initiated to reduce vehicle speed;
  • Lane Departure Warning: active at speeds above 72 km/h, the driver is alerted by steering wheel vibrations if the vehicle deviates from its lane without prior activation of the indicators;
  • Lane Change Warning: active at speeds above 10 km/h, Lane Change Warning monitors the zones to each side of the vehicle. If the driver activates the indicators to change lanes, the system would check these zones and – if occupied – warn the driver via steering wheel vibrations and flashing a symbol in the respective door mirror;
  • Crossing-traffic warning rear: when reversing out of a parking space, ‘Crossing-traffic warning rear’ would warn the driver of approaching traffic that may intersect the driver’s path;
• Prevention of rear collision: if a rear-end collision is anticipated, following traffic is warned by double frequency flashing of the hazard lights;
• Speed Limit Info: incorporates speed restrictions into the driver-selectable Speed Limiter function or Active Cruise Control (where fitted);
• Active Protection: if a collision risk is detected, including from preceding vehicles or stationary objects, Active Protection activates the front seatbelt tensioners and closes the windows (and sunroof, where fitted). After a collision, Active Protection automatically applies the brakes to bring the vehicle to rest, thereby reducing the likelihood and potential severity of a secondary collision; and,
• An “active bonnet’ which has pyrotechnic actuators in the bonnet hinges. In the event of a pedestrian collision, the actuators deploy and locks keep the bonnet in a raised position to provide additional deformation space between the bonnet and hard structures beneath it.

The G01 X3 xDrive30i and xDrive30d are further equipped with BMW’s ‘Driving Assistant Plus’ which includes –

• Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function: at speeds from 30 km/h to 210 km/h, Active Cruise Control can maintain a speed-dependent distance from the vehicle ahead. With the Stop&Go function, the vehicle can apply the brakes to bring the vehicle to rest and, once the traffic ahead begins to move, automatically accelerate if the vehicle had been stationary for a period between 1 and 3 seconds. If the vehicle has been stationary for longer than 3 seconds, the driver only needs to briefly press the accelerator or a button to initiate acceleration up to the previously set cruising speed;
• Steering and lane control assistant: operating at speeds up to 210 km/h, the steering and lane control assistant provides ‘comfort-enhancing steering interventions’ to keep the vehicle in its current lane (even where road markings are unclear). In stop-start traffic, the system also uses the preceding vehicle was an additional reference point;
• Lane Keeping Assistant: helps the driver pre-empt hazards by automatically applying corrective steering in three types of situation: 1) if the system detects that the vehicle is about to leave the road, 2) if the driver is about to change lane and has overlooked a vehicle in the next lane or 3) if danger is detected due to an approaching vehicle;
• Side Collision Warning: operating at speeds between 30 km/h and 210 km/h, Side Collision Warning alerts drivers via a visual signal or steering wheel vibration if another vehicle is ‘encroaching’ from the side. If the system detects sufficient room on the other side of the vehicle, it correctively steers the vehicle in this direction to avoid the danger. The corrective steering assistance, however, could be over-ridden by the driver at any time;
• Crossing traffic warning front: uses radar sensors to check for approaching traffic at junctions with poor or impeded visibility; and,
• Crossroads warning: provides visual and audible warnings in priority situations (i.e. where vehicles on another road had priority) and at stop signs. At speeds up to 84 km/h, the steering wheel would also vibrate to alert the driver.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the BMW G01 X3 received a five star safety rating which included a 93 per cent adult occupant protection rating, an 84 per cent child occupant protection rating and a 58 per cent ‘safety assist’ rating. In the frontal offset test, occupant protection for the driver and front passenger were generally rated as good, though chest and lower leg protection was rated as adequate (i.e. a slight risk of serious injury) for the driver. While maximum points were awarded in the side impact test, chest protection in the more severe pole test was rated as marginal (a moderate risk of serious injury).

Features: BMW G01 X3 sDrive20i and xDrive20d

Standard features for the BMW G01 X3 sDrive20i and xDrive20d include 19-inch alloy wheels with run-flat tyres, a 100 watt sound system with six speakers and CD player, BMW’s “Business’ navigation system with a 6.5-inch display (800 x 480 pixels), iDrive controller and natural voice control, a digital radio tuner (DAB+), Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, wireless smartphone charging, combination cloth/leather upholstery, power adjustable front sports seats with driver’s seat memory function, three-zone climate control air conditioning, LED headlights and taillights, cruise control with braking function, rear fog lights, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, a head-up display, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 40:20:40 split/folding rear seats with adjustable backrest angle, remote central locking, power adjustable and heated door mirrors with folding function, power windows, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a power-operated tailgate with motion detection, interior lighting, velour floor mats, automatic tailgate operation, 12 volt power sockets, roof rails, a cargo net, trip computer and an immobiliser.

As standard, the G01 X3 xDrive20d is also equipped with BMW’s ‘Parking Assistant’ which, at speeds below 35 km/h, can identify parallel parking spaces using ultrasound sensors. When the driver presses a button to begin parking, the Parking Assistant automatically steers the vehicle into parallel or transverse parking spaces such that the driver only needs to control the speed of the vehicle.

Features: BMW G01 X3 xDrive30i and xDrive30d

Compared to the X3 xDrive20d xLine, the X3 xDrive30i and xDrive30d xLine are further equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels, BMW’s ‘Professional’ navigation system with a 10.25-inch touch display (1440 x 540 resolution) and 20 GB hard drive for audio storage, ‘Vernasca’ leather upholstery, steering wheel gearshift paddles, BMW’s ‘Comfort Access’ (proximity key and contactless tailgate operation) and a 12.3-inch high-resolution display in place of the instrument cluster. The X3 xDrive30i and xDrive30d are also equipped with:

• A surround camera system which includes Surround View, Panorama View and 3D View functions;
• Adaptive LED Headlights which provide variable light distribution and cornering lighting; and,
• BMW Selective Beam: anti-dazzle high beam headlights with a range of up to 500 metres.

Features: BMW G01 X3 M40i

The range-topping BMW X3 M40i is distinguished by its 21-inch double-spoke ‘M’ alloy wheels, harman/kardon surround sound system with a 600 watt digital amplifier and sixteen speakers, adjustable front seat lumbar support, heated front seats, LED front fog lights, ‘M’ leather steering wheel, ‘BMW Individual’ anthracite-coloured headliner, ambient lighting (with six pre-defined light designs), ‘M40i’ front door sill finishers, ‘Sensatec’ (suede) instrument panel trim and ‘Aluminium Rhombicle’ interior trim. Furthermore, ‘BMW ConnectedDrive Freedom’ provides access to internet-based services, phone app-based Remote Services (including BMW Online and BMW Apps), real-time traffic information, concierge services and intelligent emergency call.

Visual cues for the BMW X3 M40i include its ‘BMW Individual’ high-gloss ‘Shadow Line’ exterior trim and roof rails, ‘M’ aerodynamics package and Cerium Grey exterior design elements.

Specifications

• Specification Guide: BMW G01 X3 (October 2017)
• Specification Guide: BMW G01 X3 (February 2018)

Related links

• BMW Press: the new BMW X3 (June 2017)