Beautiful Design 2011 BMW X3 – A Vehicle Designed To Appeal to Buyers Looking For Technology

Good

Cosy back seat; powerful turbocharged engine; crisp handling; top notch interior.
 

Bad

Expensive as compared to rivals; abrupt power delivery.
Introduction

2011 BMW X3 is a versatile Sports Activity Vehicle that combines all road utility and capability with sportscar like handling and performance. In 2011, it enters its second generation with more prestigious interior, bolder styling and enhanced power along with a plethora of optional and standard features. It is an excellent choice for those who are in the market looking for sport sedan dynamics in a crossover sport utility vehicle. The X3 has been completely redesigned for 2011 model year with optional turbocharged engine, latest iDrive electronics interface, standard automatic eight-speed transmission, updated interior design, crisper exterior styling and revised suspension tuning. It is basically a compact luxury crossover’s first full redesign since its introduction in 2004.

With slightly bigger size, five-passenger seating capacity, eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive system, the all new 2011 BMW X3 fuses the company’s utility of a crossover with signature driving prowess. The X3 is a compact crossover sport utility vehicle developed and designed by German automobile manufacturing company called BMW, based on 3 Series automobile platform, and is now in its second generation. The company engineered X3 in conjunction with Magna Steyr of Graz, Austria, who designed all X3 models under contract to BMW for first generation. Following the X5, X3 was the 2nd vehicle sold by BMW as SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle). The X3 was originally revealed as concept car at Detroit Motor Show in the year 2003. It was huge sales success for the brand and inspired similar offerings from other manufacturer’s models including Acura RDX, Land Rover LR2, Audi Q5, Mercedes Benz GLK Class, Cadillac SRX and Infiniti EX35.

With subpar cabin, mediocre power and jarring ride, the 2011 BMW X3 almost seems like a corporate late addition as compared to fully realized compact crossover sport utility vehicle. However, the company softened suspension system and upped power in these recent years. The fully redesigned X3 is similar to the first generation model, but gets notable mechanical revisions. Under dynamic looking sheet metal, you will find a revised suspension that offers comfortable ride. The optional adaptive suspension system lets driver to choose from three modes calibrating suspension, stability control, throttle and transmission settings.

The 2011 BMW X3’s xDrive28i replaces xDrive30i and provides slightly less power, while the xDrive35i gets a turbocharged six-cylinder 300 horsepower engine. Both variants are equipped with eight-speed transmission. There are a number of small luxury crossover sport utility vehicles in the market that are smoother around edges, more family friendly and provide similar agility and power – Infiniti EX35, Mercedes Benz GLK Class, Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60, but the 2011 X3 is a fine choice in its segment.

Trim Levels, Body Styles and Optional Features

The 2011 BMW X3 is a compact premium luxury crossover sport utility vehicle that offers comfortable seating capacity for five passengers and is offered in two different trim levels called xDrive35i and xDrive28i. The 28i comes packed with standard equipments and features, these include 12-speaker surround sound stereo system with HD radio, CD player, iPod interface and auxiliary audio jack, 17 inch alloy wheels, iDrive electronics interface of BMW, automatic headlights, Bluetooth, foglights, cruise control, rain sensing windshield wipers, automatic climate control, power front eight-way seats, leatherette (premium vinyl) upholstery and leather wrapped telescoping and tilt steering wheel.

The 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i gets adaptive xenon headlights and 18 inch alloy wheels. Options are largely combined in various packages, but several of the features are offered separately. The Sport Activity package includes sport front seats, 18 inch wheels, sport transmission with paddle shifters and roof rails, while the Premium package gets auto dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery and sunroof. The Technology Package consists of rearview camera with top view functionality, hard drive based navigation system with real time traffic and voice commands, rear and front parking sensors and Bluetooth streaming audio.

 

The 2011 BMW X3’s Dynamic Handling Package comes with three driver selectable drive modes, adaptive suspension dampers and variable ratio steering, while the Cold Weather Package is equipped with heated steering wheels and heated rear and front seats. Standalone options on X3 are premium surround sound stereo system, 19 inch wheels, satellite radio, rearview camera, 40-20-40 split rear seat, head-up display, power liftgate, sunroof and keyless ignition..

Concept 1969 BMW Spicup Convertible Coupe

In the early 1960s BMW has unveiled the 3200CS - a coupe developed in cooperation with Carrozzeria Bertone. But Giorgetto Giugiaro wanted to prove he can do even more than that. The result of this desire was the "Spicup" concept. The concept was unveiled at the 1969 Geneva Salon and in the same year was exhibited at the Concorso d’Eleganza in Allassio in June and finally at that year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

After that it is believed that the concept was sold to a private owner and in the mid-1970 it has been spotted at the German mega-dealer Auto Becker in Düsseldorf.

After that the car has been registered in the Netherlands and used as a ’daily driver’. Now the concept has been restored to concurs condition and has been auction at the Bonhams auction for an impressive €460,000 or about $600,000 at the current exchange rates.

Hit the jump to read more about the BMW Spicup Convertible Coupe.

Standard concept


The concept unveiled in the 1969 was powered by a 2.8-litre version of the SOHC straight-six engine and came with a chassis numbered ’V.0010’ – the V standing for Versuchswagen (experimental car).

One of the most impressive feature of the concept was its novel roof, which consisted of stainless steel panels that retracted into the hefty roll bar.

The concept’s design has been started by Giorgetto Giugiaro and finished by Marcello Gandini who has added his signature front end with its part-concealed headlamps.

Restoration process

The Dutch client who bought it use the Spicup as a daily car, reason why it had on the odometer a total of 100,000 kilometers, which makes it probably the most-used one-off show car in the world! However, in the 1980s the concept was put away in a storage and remained there for about 20 years.

In 2008 the Spicup has been purchased by current vendor, a noted collector of coachbuilt exotica. But the car was in a very bad situation: tired, incomplete, scratched and dented and with some serious signs of corrosion.

So he transported the car to Carrozzeria Granturismo in Milan for a complete restoration. After they have managed to find the original color and materials, Carrozzeria started the restoration process.

They had to replace the floorpan, the sills and the doors, while parts like the steering wheel, Spicup emblems, interior trim and rear bumper have been remade to the exact original specifications. After that the concept was repainted in its original green metallic livery with silver grey accents.

The engine cover has been once again fixed to the air filter - its original position, and the final work has been done to the special roof mechanism.

 

Auction result

After the restoration process the Spicup was first shown again to the public at the Villa d’Este concours d’élégance in 2009, and subsequently at the BMW Museum during the summer of 2010. At this year’s Bonhams auction the car was sold for an impressive €460,000 or about $600,000 at the current exchange rates.

 

Design and Technological Innovations By BMW - Innovative Vision Connected Drive

The German automaker created a cutting-edge two-place roadster called Vision ConnectedDrive. By the words of creators it is radical new roadster concept "presents the automobile as a fully integrated part of the networked world in both its design and technological innovations" as well as representing "the potential of current and future in-car technology for optimizing comfort, safety and infotainment." The Vision ConnectedDrive manifests the typical characteristics of BMW design: agressive look, sporting, dynamic character. BMW has announced that this concept will not be produced, but its design and technology will be the basis of future production models. Find the best Bmw 3 Series Touring Car Lease in the UK.