Page 17 - Motoring Issue 1 2021

BMW TEST REVIEW

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amily SUV's come in all shapes and
sizes. Lately, they also come in all
Fsorts of performance variances too.
The BMW X3M Competition is a
premium, medium family SUV. It looks
similar to any other X3, but four big bore
exhausts, a few extra fins and scoops
and some rather special 20-inch wheels
give the game away that this is anything
but ordinary.
Inside are dual colour leather sports
seats and a different gearshift with
surrounding buttons. A final clue may be
two extra red mini ‘paddles’ at the top of
the steering wheel marked M1 and M2.
I gave these the titles of ‘Manic 1’ and
‘Manic 2’. I have often criticised many feel of the steering is possible using the buttons next to the gearshift that replace the
BMW models for having an interior that standard Eco, Comfort and Sport buttons in lesser versions. The Manic buttons simply
is too generic, making it difficult to boot everything straight into extreme mode.
differentiate which model you are driving Practically, this could serve as your family transport. Interior and boot space are the
when looking at the instrumentation. same as usual. If you can restrain yourself, then the 8-speed automatic transmission can
Welcome to the one that is different. potter around town. Yet, you know that this is a beast that's waiting to be unleashed.
The 3l turbo engine blasts out 375kW It's a car where you say . . . who cares about fuel consumption? The xDrive 4-wheel
and 600Nm. The performance potential drive system allows it to handle like no high riding family SUV is supposed to be capable
could be addictive, let alone the of handling or performing. Those ‘Manic’ buttons induce a manic grin and cackle instead.
soundtrack that accompanies a prod on Acting my age and putting on my practical hat tell me that an X3 M40i or M40d are
the accelerator. more than you could ever need. But, to the few who really get it, this is probably a
This is everything turned up to 11 out performance bargain.
of 10. The suspension is tuned for The current retail price is R1 641 162. n
performance so the ride is harder than a
standard X3. Adjustment to the Use this link to see our video review:
suspension, transmission gearing and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg52Md3OtpA

MOTORING | Issue 1, 2021 | 15