2019 BMW X3 Petrol [India]
BMW launched the new X3 in India in April. A new petrol variant has now been added to the lineup, BMW X3 xDrive 30i. Available only in the Luxury Line grade, the 2018 BMW X3 petrol is priced at INR 56,90,000 (ex-showroom). Powering the BMW X3 petrol is a 2.0 L TwinPower Turbo engine producing 252 hp at 5,200 rpm and 350 Nm at 1,450-4,800 rpm. It gets an 8-speed automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels via BMW's xDrive AWD system. The X3 also gets Dynamic Damper Control enabling the suspension to adapt to varying road conditions and Performance Control that enables variable torque split at the rear wheels with Automatic differential locks (ADB-X). Highlights of the features list include full LED headlights, BMW Display Key with LCD and touch control, LED fog lights, rain sensor and automatic headlamps, ambient lighting, panoramic glass roof, and electrically operated tailgate. Interior features include a 3-zone climate control, a 12.3 inch instrument display, electrically adjustable front seats, 10.25-inch touchscreen display, Harman Kardon Surround Sound system (600 W, 16 loudspeakers), Apple CarPlay support, reverse parking camera, and more. Exterior colour options for the BMW X3 include - Phytonic Blue, Black Sapphire (pictured), Sophisto Grey Brilliant Effect, Mineral White. Leather 'Vernasca' Canberra Beige with decor stitching and Leather 'Vernasca' Mocha with decor stitching are the two upholstery options. The X3 comes with 19-inch alloy wheels. The diesel variant of the BMW X3 that has been on sale since launch employs a 2.0 L TwinPower Turbo engine producing 190 hp and 400 Nm paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and xDrive AWD. The petrol variant costs INR 20,000 more than the similarly specced diesel variant. The 2018 BMW X3 range start INR 49.99 lakhs (ex-showroom) onwards. Rivals of the X3 include the Mercedes-Benz GLC, Audi Q5, and the Volvo XC60. The BMW X3 is locally assembled in India at the company's facility in Tamil Nadu near Chennai.
It's not supposed to be, though, at least not in production guise. Tada's team engineered the Supra to easily accept various modifications to improve its track performance. The sealed "vents" on the hood, doors and rear fascia can be made functional for enhanced cooling and aerodynamic improvements, albeit with some cutting and grinding. An area was left adjacent to the active differential for added cooling. Two vestigial mounting points attached to the front suspension towers are intended for a cross brace that can be added for the higher performance demands of racing or tuners. Tada also wasn't exactly coy in his suggestion that hotter versions will be coming. Tada, pictured below. "But it will grow and evolve," much like Porsche does with its sports cars. Think the 718 Cayman begetting the Cayman GTS, Cayman T and Cayman GT4. So far we've talked a lot about how the Supra is different from a BMW, but there are obvious massive commonalities. Every Toyota Supra has had an inline-six engine, which Tada considered an essential element.
Developing a new inline-six was not feasible, and back in 2012 only one company made one that fit the bill: BMW. There's more to the collaboration's genesis than that, but it was certainly a key element. As such, the GR Supra is only available in the United States with BMW's new B58 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six. It produces 335 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque, which perhaps not coincidentally falls in between the Z4's 255-horsepower turbo inline-four and 382-hp version of the same 3.0-liter engine. The Supra claims a 0-60-mph time of 4.1 seconds 鈥?the quickest production Toyota ever. A curb weight of 3,387 pounds certainly helps. Unlike the Supra-specific steering and general driving feel, this engine feels 100% BMW 鈥?even considering a Toyota-specific throttle calibration and a sharper exhaust note that's pleasantly reminiscent of the Lexus LC 500. It's silky, torque-rich and responsive. It also suitably hammers you into your seat with a ferocity befitting a car called Supra. If you have a beef with this engine, it'll entirely because of who made it rather than the way it performs. It seems unlikely most sports car buyers will care. Also, since when is a BMW engine a bad thing? The mandatory eight-speed automatic transmission is similarly excellent in most situations, smartly and smoothly changing gears. Sport mode quickly produces rev-matched downshifts under braking, but there were times when dropping an extra cog beyond what the car selected was ultimately necessary and we ended up using the paddles. Lexus LC, Porsche's PDK and various Mercedes-AMG models, would make it even better.
The Paramount Ranch Road Races were held on a 2 mile course that operated for two years, 1956 and 1957. This was an old movie set located near Agoura in the Santa Monica Mountains. Some of the drivers that saw action there were; Ken Miles, Dan Gurney, Richie Ginther, John Von Neuman and Bob Bondurant. These photos were taken at turn 5 by Marty Goldsmith. Marty is one of our blog followers and worked all 5 of the events held at Paramount as a scrutineer. Marty reports that he still has the Canon eye-level 35mm camera and that it's great for race photography, owing to the interchangeable Albada finders and the trigger advance mechanism. 97 in a MG. The Mobilegas marker was still standing at this point. 57 in the Sugarman 550 Spyder. Notice Miles and McAfee with the perfect line. Cliff Hensley, has catapulted his car into the spectator area on top of the hill. Notice the turn 5 marker on the pole. John Lyon, rolled the MG up the hill and then settled back down on the wheels. A "cardboard" helmet belonging to John Lyon, typical of the time. Also note that most of the cars did not have roll bars.