BMW DEBUTS NEW TURBO ENGINES FOR MZANSI

The BMW X3 is the one to carry the brand’s first small petrol turbo unit, a 2.0-litre motor with very good entry-level power credentials while remaining true to environmental promises. The new X3 xDrive 20i will start selling in South Africa this October at a price to be announced soon. At the same time BMW says it has already begun selling the xDrive30d, a turbo diesel variant.

Let’s talk about the X3 xDrive 20i first. It features a new 2.0-litre twin scroll petrol turbo unit that helps it achieve a maximum power thrust of 135kW at 4800rpm and 270Nm of torque at a lowly 1250rpm. This entry-level motor confirms BMW’s next turbo engine which will undoubtedly find its way into the next 2012 320i, 520i, Z4 sDrive20i and 120i among others. Like its siblings in the range, it comes standard with an 8-speed automatic gearbox with auto start/stop function

The BMW X3 xDrive30d on the other hand, kicks out 190kW at 4000 rpm, and a maximum torque of 560Nm from 2000rpm to 2750 rpm. Very handy indeed it appears. Unfortunately an xDrive35d, available in Europe, is not for Mzansi consumption. Nevertheless it goes whip out 230kW and 630Nm of torque. Hopefully BMW SA does not skip on the rumoured 300kW-plus X3 M if and when it arrives.