BMW X3 Best Seller now even more Powerful and Efficient. BMW EfficientDynamics in the 2008 model year: BMW X3 2.0d with new four-cylinder diesel engine, optional six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel-saving technologies on all variants of the world's most successful SAV in the premium segment.

Munich. Offering a substantial enhancement of driving pleasure and economy, the
BMW X3 is set to further broaden its leading position in the 2008 model year as
the world's most successful Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV).
A newly developed four-cylinder diesel engine in the BMW X3 2.0d and numerous
fuel-saving improvements on all model variants give this five-door widely
lauded for its superior agility and driving dynamics best marks in its segment
now also in terms of efficiency. A further point is that the new BMW X3 2.0d is
now also available not just with a six-speed manual gearbox, but also with
six-speed automatic transmission offering optimised gearshift dynamics. And
entering the 2008 model year, the BMW X3 is gaining even greater appeal through
the introduction of crash-activated headrests as a standard feature as well as
new options and paintwork colours.

Developing maximum output of 130 kW/177 hp and maximum torque of 350
Newton-metres/258 lb-ft, the new BMW X3 2.0d offers a significant increase in
power and pulling force. Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle,
however, is a very modest 6.5 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 43.5 mpg imp.
The gasoline engine variants also offer further enhancement of efficiency in
the 2008 model year, the 200 kW/272 hp BMW X3 3.0si now making do with just 9.5
litres/100 kilometres, equal to 29.7 mpg imp.

These optimised fuel consumption and emission figures are the result of the
latest innovations based on BMW EfficientDynamics now also being intro-duced in
BMW's Sports Activity Vehicles. Thanks to these improvements and the
outstanding competence of BMW in the development and production of power units,
a four-cylinder diesel is now able to offer the same standard of dynamic
performance in a larger vehicle only a six-cylinder - at best - was able to
provide in the past, while at the same time retaining all the advantages of a
four-cylinder in terms of fuel efficiency.
By analogy, BMW's current six-cylinders likewise rank right at the top in their
segment in terms of both fuel consumption and emissions, even though they
provide all the power and performance of an eight-cylinder.

New four-cylinder diesel: output up 20 kW/28 hp, fuel consumption down 10 per
cent.

Entering the 2008 model year, the BMW X3 fitted as standard with BMW xDrive
intelligent all-wheel-drive technology is available with three ultra-modern
gasoline and diesel engines. The absolute pinnacle in terms of efficiency is
the new BMW X3 2.0d, its all-aluminium four-cylinder diesel featuring
third-generation common-rail fuel injection, with fuel being dosed by
piezo-injectors and injected into the combustion chambers with absolute
precision under a pressure of 1,800 bar.
Compared with the former engine, the new four-cylinder diesel offers an
increase in power by 20 kW or 28 hp on a reduction in fuel consumption by 10
per cent. And at the same time the new BMW X3 2.0d establishes a new benchmark
not only in fuel economy, but also in CO2 emissions, with 172 grams per
kilometre setting a new standard in this segment.

The refinement of the entry-level model leading into the BMW X3 family has also
been improved. To reach this objective, the balance shafts for the
four-cylinder diesel take the specific layout and the space available in an
all-wheel-drive vehicle into account, the two balance shafts running in needle
bearings against the engine's direction of rotation being fully integrated at
the side in the crankcase. This position makes the integration of balance
shafts possible also on the BMW X3 equipped with xDrive.

BMW EfficientDynamics for greater economy in all engine variants.

Numerous improvements and new technologies developed in the context of BMW
EfficientDynamics in the interest of fuel economy and emission management are
being introduced in the 2008 model year both in the new BMW X3 2.0d and in
other model variants. These include tyres optimised for minimum roll
resistance, a coolant pump operating only on demand, final drive optimised for
minimum friction, and the Varioserv steering assistance pump with pressure and
volume flow-controlled adjustment of the curved ring serving to avoid power
losses resulting from the increase in engine speed. Optimisation of the car's
aerodynamics, in turn, is ensured both by the additional underfloor panels and
by active control of the cooling air flaps.

These improvements in the interest of enhanced efficiency all come as standard
in the BMW X3, giving all model variants a significant reduction in fuel
consumption and emission ratings. Accordingly, average fuel con-sumption of the
two straight-six gasoline versions - the BMW X3 3.0si (200 kW/272 hp) and the
BMW X3 2.5si (160 kW/218 hp) - in the EU test cycle is down by 6 per cent to
9.5 and, respectively, 9.3 litres/100 kilometres, equal to 29.7 and 30.4 mpg
imp.
The BMW X3 3.0sd, in turn, powered by a 210 kW/286 hp straight-six diesel with
variable Twin Turbo technology, reduces average fuel consumption by 11 per cent
to a new minimum of just 7.8 litres/100 kilometres or 36.2 mpg imp.

Optimisation of fuel economy featured as standard in all models.

Optimisation of fuel consumption and emissions in the 2008 model year of the
BMW X3 again proves the significant impact of BMW EfficientDynamics. Indeed,
the results of this cutting-edge development strategy are being introduced
step-by-step in all model series, featured in each case as standard equipment
and not limited to just a few special models.
Precisely this is why every new BMW now sets the standard in reducing both fuel
consumption and emissions, at the same time increasing the overall effect
resulting from the development of new engines, fuel-saving improve-ments around
the engine, and other innovations in the context of BMW EfficientDynamics.

As an alternative to the six-speed manual gearbox standard on all versions of
the BMW X3, the BMW X3 2.0d is now also available with new, partic-ularly
dynamic six-speed automatic transmission. At the same time new optional extras
have been included in the range for both the BMW X3 2.0d and all other model
variants, such as a Lights Package comprising outside, exit, door handle and
footwell illumination at the rear. The range of paintwork options, in turn, is
being enlarged by the attractive new colours Moonstone Metallic and Ruby Black
Metallic.
Another new feature in the range is the Professional navigation system complete
with preparation for a mobile phone and a Bluetooth interface with efficient
telematics. This configuration enables the driver to use the BMW Assist
telematics service for calling up any information required, for example on
theatre and cinema listings, museums and other sights, including detailed
information on opening hours and admission prices. The process of finding a
hotel, in turn, is also facilitated by an exact list of hotel categories and
prices in the BMW Assist menu.

BMW Assist also comprises an automatic emergency call function in the event of
an accident, and in the case of a breakdown the BMW Standby Service integrated
in the menu can be activated to send a BMW Service Mobile to the location of
the car.
The BMW Info item in the menu enables the user to directly call up the latest
tips and offers from his BMW Partner. And last but certainly not least, BMW
Assist comes with three years of free use covering all of the services offered
by the program.

Crash-activated headrests for even greater occupant safety.

BMW's wide range of safety features is being further enhanced in the 2008 model
year, the BMW X3 now coming as standard not only with frontal, side and head
airbags as well as three-point inertia-reel seat belts with belt force
governors on all five seats and belt latch tensioners on the front seats, but
also with crash-activated headrests reducing the risk of cervical vertebra
injury in a collision from behind. To provide this effect, the headrests move
forward by 60 mm/2.36" and upward by 40 mm/1.57" as soon as the airbag control
unit registers an impact at the rear of the car and sends a signal for
pyrotechnical activation of the system.
This serves to cushion the driver's and front passenger's heads at an early
point in time, setting off and compensating the whiplash motion generated by
the impact energy and minimising any forces acting on the occupants' neck
area.

The BMW X3 - a successful model continuing its road to victory.

The new BMW X3 2.0d offers by far the best balance of driving pleasure and fuel
economy in its segment, once again setting the benchmark against the
competition.
Thanks to its unusually agile driving characteristics, the BMW X3 was an
outstanding performer in its segment right from the start - and now the
superior dynamics offered by the car is being joined by exemplary efficiency as
the best prerequisite for continuing a remarkable story of success.

BMW's premium SAV is the world's best-selling vehicle in its class, with
production of approximately 114,000 units in 2006.

In Germany the BMW X3 accounted for a market share of 10.3 per cent in the
offroader segment in the overall statistics for 2006, with numerous prizes and
awards likewise confirming the great popularity and success of the BMW X3: Only
recently, for example, BMW's premium SAV was lauded as the "Offroader of the
Year" in the readers' choice of "OffRoad", a specialist motoring journal. And
another readers' inquiry in "Auto Bild Alles Allrad" also went to the BMW X3 in
both 2006 and 2007 as the "All-Wheel-Drive Car of the Year".