By Otsile  Kadiege

For the very first time, BMW Group Plant South Africa is manufacturing a plug-in hybrid derivative of the new G45 X3. Dubbed the X3 30e xDrive, the plug-in hybrid X3 will also be sold locally and exported to 40 other countries. Currently, the 30e deviates account for 3% percent of local X3 sales, which kicked-off late last year. 

We recently got acquainted with the plug-in hybrid X3 and here are our initial thoughts on the newcomer.

Design and styling 

As is mostly the case with modern BMW models, the design and styling of the new X3 looks far better in-person than on press pack images. Our test unit was kitted with the optional M Sport package which elevates the appeal with sporty front and rear bumpers in gloss black, 20-inch alloy wheels, and M badges on the front fenders.

Apart from a flap on the left front fender for its charging slot and the obvious model derivative badging on the tailgate, the plug-in hybrid X3 looks just like any other G45 X3. 

Interior design, tech and practicality 

Climbing aboard, the new X3 looks modern and premium, at least for the most part. Much of the cabin makes use of good quality materials except for the grab door handles which are too plasticky and feel too scratchy for a million rand plus BMW.

Standout features include a BMW Curved Display which dominates the leather wrapped dashboard. It impresses with crisp graphics and fast processing speeds. That said, the infotainment isn’t user friendly due to a plethora of menus and sub-menus, which makes it difficult to operate on the move. Connecting Apple CarPlay was also a bit of a faf.

The leather wrapped, flat-bottom multifunctional steering wheel looks good and it has nice thick rim to grip onto. More highlights include a fixed glass roof with a fabric shade, a great sounding Harman Kardon sound system, an impressively sized luggage capacity, sufficient USB-C slots and cool ambient lighting which flashes a red hue when the emergency lights have been switched on.

Performance

Powering the X3 30e is a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine that’s paired with an electric motor. Together they develop an impressive 220kW of power and 450Nm of torque. It’s so paired with an 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission and has a claimed fuel consumption of 7.9l/100 km when its battery is depleted and 1.1l/100 km when there’s sufficient charge.

Driving impressions

Straight off the bat, this is the perfect X3 powertrain as it strikes a perfect balance between performance and efficiency. It’s electric car fast when you need to get going and could be as efficient as a diesel engine when driven sensibly. It also works in perfect unison with its Steptronic transmission.

BMW claims its battery pack avails 90 km when fully recharged but the brand’s local ‘X3 Product Lead’ said him and his colleague were one of the first people to get the X3 30e and they’ve been getting around 70 – 80 km of pure EV range. When fully drained, the battery takes 3 hours or slightly more to recharge using an AC charger (there’s no DC fast charging slot) and overnight when using a wall socket.

Strangely, the X3 doesn’t have a strong regenerative braking system like the Volvo XC60 Recahrge. BMW claims only about 7 km can be reclaimed using regen. braking which is quite disappointing when considering that its aging Swedish rival can replenish its battery to the brim thanks to its EV-like regenerative system.

Pricing 

BMW X3 30e xDrive – R1,260,000

BMW X3 30e xDrive M Sport – R1,310,000