Note: Thanks to some conflicts we couldn’t make the recent X3 launch. However our good friend Bryan Joslin at Kilometer Magazine did and has offered up a review for the site and our readers of BMW’s new mid-size crossover. Look for more cooperation in the future from Kilometer and don’t be surprised to see a few MF and BF reviews pop-up over there as well.
If the economy in the last couple years has taught us anything, it’s that nothing is forever. From the equity in our homes to the values of our 401(k) plans, many of us have stood witness as traditional pillars of strength have fallen to pieces in our midst. In the case of BMW’s X3, its place at the top of the premium compact utility segment was fairly short-lived. When it first came to market in 2004, it was virtually in a class of its own, sharing the stage only with Land Rover’s modestly popular Freelander. But within just a couple years, Acura, Infiniti and Audi moved in and, as a result, sales of the small BMW peaked early (2005) and slid consistently as each new competitor ate a piece of its pie. The all-new 2011 X3 should bring that streak to an end for BMW faster than any bailout package could end unemployment. Here’s why.
When you get the experts from Munich talking about the original X3, they practically admit that they misread the market in terms of what customers expected in a small BMW activity vehicle. Frankly, the main priority was on sport sedan handling, while attributes like refinement and comfort took a back seat. What we got was a slightly awkward looking tall 3-series wagon with a cheap-ish interior and a stiff ride. It felt cold and minimalist in a way that could have worked for a German vehicle targeted at busy thirty-something lifestylists, but just didn’t. In the same way that retirees, not post-collegiate hipsters, flock to Honda Elements and Nissan Cubes, the X3 ended up appealing to BMW-owning family types with new demands (strollers, T-ball practice) more than cool singles who snowboard and mountain bike their weekends away. The novelty of a small BMW SUV wore off quickly, especially when the new competition was a little more traditional (read: comfortable and luxurious).
Looking at the words MINI Connected you might immediately think of BMW’s ConnectedDrive technology. While both use the car’s infotainment interface, they couldn’t be further apart. Where BMW’s ConnectedDrive uses the built-in Edge connection in some BMWs, MINI Connected uses the 3G data from your iPhone to power a myriad of updatable features. And according to our sources, it’s also a good bet that it we’ll see something like it in future BMWs. Because of this we thought an early look at the MINI version was in order.
It all started with that simple iPod connector that debuted in 2003 in BMWs and MINIs. The idea of connecting technology from outside the car and allowing it to power the infotainment center in the dash. Fast forward seven years and MINI has finally taken a giant leap with MINI Connected.
In fact leap isn’t even the right word. In reality Connected is a watershed moment in automotive technology for the simple fact that it takes software development out of seven year automotive cycles. And equally important it introduces app like mentality that allows for software development to focus on new features that are built on robust platform. That means MINI can tailor the Connected app and your car’s future functionality for whatever comes next in the world of technology. What’s going to be hot in 2013? We have no idea. But in 2013 MINI can update MINI Connected and have it there ready for you.
Or you can also think of it this way; Connected allows MINI related functionality to be driven by your iPhone and then displayed on MINI’s new gorgeous hi-res display all while being controlled by the center joystick. It takes the phone out of your hand and makes the car the interface for your life.
At the recent press launch of the 2011 MINI range, we had a chance to walk-through MINI Connected with BMW Senior Engineer Robert Passaro (one of the lead engineers of MINI Connected). Robert not only talked us through each feature but gave us some background on the technology and why it was built. The idea (as mentioned above) is all about decoupling the car from the technology.
But we’ll let Robert walk you through the system. Here’s a quick video of Robert and myself going through Connected. (video after the break)
BMW has seen the (near) future and it includes hybrids. After working on various fuel saving technologies for decades BMW recently made the decision to invest heavily in hybrid technology. The first fruits of that labor were the X6 and 7 Series ActiveHybrids released in the last 18 months. But the real mass market products are on their way and they include hybrid MINIs.
This all means there’s more life left in the Prince family of engines. Developed by BMW and shared with PSA to spread costs, the Prince engines debuted in 2007 with the R56 MINI and remain MINI’s only engine architecture.
The hybrid system is being developed in cooperation with Getrag and Bosch and will feature a torque-split and axel split integrated into the same drivetrain. This would allow for all sorts of variations of electric and petrol power at any time.
We believe that the hybrid system is being designed to debut in the Countryman and could potentially find its way to a front wheel drive 1 Series variant. While we’re not 100% sure of this, it would make sense given the platforms longevity and the intended market. After that we’d expect it to show up any potential new Countryman variant (such as the just discussed next generation Clubman). (official press release after the break)
Here’s another look at the visually updated 1 Series coming this January, this time courtesy of our friends at Autoblog. While the image above doesn’t show us the new lights as clearly as the previous image of the ActiveE electric car we saw earlier this month (seen below) it does give us the best look yet of the front and rear facia change. What we see here is the stock facia as seen on all models from the 123d to the 128i. The 135i will continue to come standard (in the US) with a M Sport aerokit – albiet slightly modified.
Want a closer look at the 2011 X3 before they hit the dealerships? We’ve got you covered with 90 photos from the recent press launch in South Carolina. For more information on the X3, check out the BimmerFile X3 section.
Last week BMW officially took the wraps off the F25 X3 for the international press and one thing within their presentation caught our eye. We all know the new X3 has grown but without getting the numbers in front of us it’s hard to understand what that really means. And even with the raw data sometimes it’s hard to visualize the change.
That’s where these slides help. The first of these size charts (from the official BMW presentation) give us our best look at how the X3 has grown from the first generation to the present in every direction.The second (after the break) shows us how it stacks up against the new X1 and X5.
We’ve reported the rumors over the past year and now it’s official. Yes BMW is returning to the pinnacle of touring racing; DTM. In April this year BMW had announced its intention to race in the DTM in principle from 2012, the first time since its departure from the series in 1994. And now the Board of Management of BMW AG given the approval to return to the popular touring car series.
In recent months BMW has been working with the DTM umbrella organisation ITR e.V. and the other manufacturers represented in the DTM on issues relating to the future technical regulations, and the long-term internationalisation of the championship. The positive nature of these discussions means BMW Motorsport can now begin planning its DTM comeback in greater detail.
Chris Bangle has a lot to say about everything. But he’s rarely talked about his tenure at BMW so openly as he does in this interview with Inframe.tv. Bangle needs no introduction to BF readers but it’s worth remembering that under his leadership he revolutionized the BMW design language while the brand simultaneously passed Mercedes Benz to take the title of the global leader in premium car sales.
BimmerFile is dedicated to bringing you the most interesting news, links and reviews related to the BMW brand and it's vehicles.
We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
We long for the days of the wave and for the days of roll-up windows. Yet we love the gadgets on the inside and the xenons on the outside.
In short, we can't get enough of BMWs. This is BimmerFile.
Sections: F25 X3, Review Oct 19th, 2010 10 Comments 
Rendering by Jon Sibal
