Paris Auto Show: 2007 BMW X3

Gunther Grabbe,  the new 3.0-liter straight-six, now dubbed the 3.0si, puts out 200kW, or 268 SAE net horsepower, a 43 hp increase over the last 3.0i we tested. Based on BMW 0-100 kph claims, we expect 0-60 mph acceleration times to drop nearly a second from the 7.8 seconds we measured with the old engine, to just below 7.0 seconds with the new one. Among the engine refinements contributing to the gains, the most notable are two parasitic loss prevention strategies first seen on 3-series cars: a standby coolant pump that only runs in times of need, and an "intelligent alternator control" which disengages said alternator during periods of acceleration and high demand.

Dr. Grabbe was happy to give us a tour of the freshened interior, pointing out the improved graining on the upper dash and door surfaces, more fully padded seats with richer leather graining, and strategic use of brushed aluminum-look accents. This interior does look and feel more inviting than last year’s model, so it would seem that the efforts have paid off.

But we don’t yet know how much all of these improvements will cost, as Dr. Grabbe told me that prices aren’t set to be released “for a couple of days,” with U.S. sales beginning on October 20.