A sense of sophistication

Many motoring marques brag about a dynamic driving experience but, in my opinion, BMW is one that consistently delivers on its promise.

Whether you’re interested in sedans, saloons, coupes or bulking SUVs, BMW has a model range that covers all the bases.

The X3 is a compact luxury crossover which is available in two six-cylinder engine variants boasting twin-turbo technology and an eight-speed automatic transmission – the xDrive35i and xDrive28i.

According to the company, these models represent the most sporting and dynamic rendition in the BMW X Series range yet, and I can’t argue after spending an enjoyable afternoon cruising along the kingdom’s roads and highways in the xDrive35i.

It is a deceptively impressive vehicle in terms of performance and it offers a plethora of options for customisation. The model I drove featured red leather seats, a sun roof, satellite navigation, CD player, radio, auxiliary connection for your MP3 player and a choice of driving modes.

The X3 boasts a striking front end, stretched side lines and has classic coupe proportions and sweeping flow from roofline to rear end which gives it a sleek look.

The interior is just as impressive and spacious for both front and rear passengers. Tense surfaces swivelling into one another give the model a sense of sophistication and sporting features such as kneepads on both sides of the centre console, paddles on the sports steering wheel are featured as standard. Once I slipped inside, I immediately noticed the elevated seating position which gives you a better view for driving.

Many drivers enjoy cruising around in a convertible at speed with the wind in their hair and a smile on their face. Don’t get me wrong, that’s great fun but that joy quickly comes to a grinding halt when you reach a dubious speed bump or a treacherous road off-the-beaten-track.

Luckily, there’s no need to fear any of that if you’re driving an X3. It made light work of potholes the size of moon craters and going off-road is part and parcel of what this model was made for.

The ride was smooth and comfortable and I felt completely in control thanks to the responsiveness of the steering. You need only caress the wheel to achieve the desired result.

City driving is a pain when you have a powerful V6 at your disposal and the traffic is bumper-to-bumper. So, once I got out on to the highway it seemed like the perfect opportunity to test the power which had been coercing me while navigating my way through Manama’s congestion.

Not only did the X3 bolt like lightning off the mark, it did so while sticking to the road like glue which really gives the driver confidence in its capabilities.

It’s not all about looks and handling though, many people want a car that is as safe and sturdy as it is reliable. The X3 does not disappoint as it achieved the highest rating of 5 stars in the latest Euro NCAP crash test.

The Euro NCAP test is regarded as one of the most demanding tests in the world to be applied to new vehicles. It is recognised as a benchmark for crash safety by governments, automobile clubs and consumer protection organisations throughout Europe.

Prices start from BD19,995. For details, contact Euro Motors on 17750750.