2009 BMW X3 2.0

At $6.7 million, the BMW X3 2.0 twin turbo diesel ain't cheap. But it is one of the world's mechanical marvels.

Four things stand out about this power plant. One, it has two turbos. Two, it has piezo-electric injectors that allow the injector pintle to actually change shape so that fuel can flow. Three, because of (one) it makes an unholy 300-lb ft of torque. And, four, it redlines at an astounding (for a diesel) 5,000 rpm.

But it manages 40 + mpg!

Hold that thought for a second.

Now, for $6.7 million, there are obvious deficiencies 'interior-wise'. One, there are no power options for the seats. The seats are six-way adjustable, height included, but no Germanic push-button whirr. And, it only has a single CD player.

'Sound-wise', it loses out to lesser but more lavishly equipped yuppie-mobiles. Still, with a curtain-style airbag in the four 'B' and 'C' pillars, in every door, and two airbags in the front of the vehicle, safety is pretty much covered.

Mechanical interior

The interior is a bit mechanical, almost appliance-like, as it were. Stainless steel trim and black plastic might, to some, border on clinical. It certainly lacks warmth. The seats, however, are supportive and grippy.

Ergonomically, the interior works, the only exception being the length of stretch from the driver's seat to the rear door locks, but hey, it does have central locking. Space is at a premium for larger adults in this cabin but it is still liveable. It is a functional office.

Driving X3 is another matter.

The quality felt from the driver's position is undeniable. The accelerator pedal is like an on/off switch to the engine's positively huge torque curve.

So much torque is available from off idle that the computer has to re-calibrate the turbo vane geometry for a split second so it doesn't destroy the ZF six-speed slush box.

Once line pressure comes up in the tranny, it's time for boost and it comes on like a ton of bricks ... a 100 clicks comes up in a tick under eight seconds. She'll cruise at 140 all day; with the windows up you might as well be doing 50 km/h, the chassis is so stable.

When the straight road ends, the corner-carving capabilities of this exceptional four-wheel drive platform come to the fore.

It does not have the girth of its bigger stablemate, the X5, so it does not have the weight of the big 3.0-litre straight six over the front wheels.

It has what engineers call 'less polar inertia', which redefines the steering making it more communicative and responsive. X3's award winning X-drive all-wheel traction control system has the ability to transfer the torque to any one wheel.

During high-speed cornering, if the car detects a tail-happy situation, the silicon patrol transfers the twist from the tyres that slip to those with the grip - either laterally or diagonally - which straightens out the slide automatically.

The driver only knows that the system is being deployed when the appropriate dash light illuminates. It is idiot-proof, and makes stars of those with less than stellar driving skills (like yours truly!)

Testing on the beach

After traversing our new Portmore test loop, which included Hellshire Heights, the Dyke Road and Mandela Highway, we went to the beach, Fort Clarence.

Getting permission from Beverly Linton-Malcom, UDC park supervisor for the beach, we proceeded to take the eco-friendly X3 on the beach to see if it could dig itself out of a hole. We ran up to the water's edge, and for the first time in my memory an SUV engine had enough torque to overcome the deficiencies inherent in a computer-controlled four-wheel drive system and kept all four wheels turning.

With that groundswell of torque, no hole was deep enough. If X3 bogged down going forward, coming out only required selecting reverse and keeping the throttle planted.

To add even more perspective, the tyres mounted were low-profile 17" Pirelli Scorpions, admittedly an all-terrain model but with a thin sidewall (60 series) - which should have been a disadvantage as they offer no flotation in the sand. X3, though, was up to the task, and performed brilliantly.

The only problem I have with the system is that it does not seem to have an off switch. There are situations that even the most astute drive-train programmer cannot anticipate, which call for the thinking to be done by humans.

There are times when what is needed is four-wheel lock and judicious application of gas pedal. An SUV with this amount of off-road talent and brawn should be able to off the electronics when needed. But for most users, the onboard brain has more capability than they will ever use.

Reasonably priced

X3 has broken the mould for soft roaders by not being one. With a 20 per cent duty concession, its price comes down to a much more manageable $3.7 million.

A Toyota RAV4 will go out the door with the same concession for $3.2 million. There is really no comparison in terms of ride, quality or performance.

mario.james@gleanerjm.com