Geneva Preview: BMW X3 xDrive20d rescue vehicle, 36.2 mpg (U.S.)
One of the many vehicles that will be debuting at the Geneva Motor Show this week is an emergency rescue version of the BMW X3. The rescue version is based on the X3 xDrive 20d which is powered by a 177 hp version of BMW's 2.0L four cylinder diesel engine. Drive goes to the wheels through BMW's torque vectoring xDrive all-wheel-drive system. Even in this SUV body, the diesel returns 36.2 mpg (U.S.). As expected of a rescue vehicle, it's equipped with the usual array of equipment including lights, sirens and mountings for rescue equipment.
[Source: BMW]
PRESS RELEASE:
At its official public stand in Geneva, the BMW Group is displaying a BMW X3 xDrive20d emergency rescue vehicle. This is the first time it is being presented to the public, and by doing so, BMW has chosen not only to emphasise the X range's versatility, with its intelligent, electronically controlled four-wheel drive system, but it is also taking the opportunity to publicise its wide range of special-purpose vehicles.
The BMW X3 medical emergency vehicle presented at the Geneva Motor Show has 130kW (177 bhp) of power, making it a natural choice for fast rescue operations in virtually any location. Since BMW has plenty of experience with special-purpose vehicles, it has created, in association with a special-equipment company, a vehicle which is specifically configured for use in medical rescue situations.
The exterior of the BMW X3 is in plain white, with contrasting reflective red film and red stripes on the sides and boot lid, and double strips on the bonnet, to render the vehicle's special function visible even at a distance. To further increase its visibility, the car's contour markings have integrated reflective gaps on the sides and at the bottom of the boot lid.
Naturally, like any emergency rescue vehicle, it is also fitted with a special roof-mounted alarm system, including a blue light, an electronic siren, and an LED display with the word NOTARZT ("emergency doctor"). Two additional flashing lights are fitted inside the boot, which when opened, provide adequate warning to oncoming traffic during difficult operations.
The interior fittings of the BMW X3 emergency vehicle are somewhat more inconspicuous. These include a sturdy metal dividing frame between the luggage space and passenger cabin, a mounting for the radio device, which includes a power supply and a rest for the hand unit, as well as a charging point in the luggage area. To ensure that this special-purpose BMW X3 doesn't get stuck with an empty battery following extended use, it is also fitted with an extra 12-volt battery, complete with isolation relay.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gene 10:03AM (3/02/2009)
Rescue vehicle? That's a laugh. Here in California, I can't tell you how many X3 and X5 yuppies stick these into the sand, mud or snow. Too many people mistakenly believe these are "off road" vehicles. They are not. The only thing "rescue" about these is that there is thankfully some full size 4x4 around to "rescue" the BMW.
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gorr 2:15PM (3/02/2009)
This is an old faschion polluting 'new' small truck and should been bouth on the used market where many many are sold at 1/3 the original cost because many peoples want to get rid of that because of the main idiosynchracy of it that consist of putting big-oil diesel into it to suffocate peoples at the petrol extracting sites, refinery sites and then on the public roads. These same chaps are speaking green technology all day and are building and selling 100% gasoline/diesel technology with tons of profit at big-oil desk and goverment money at the factory site( bmw, gm, toyota, etc) and are working in chatting sites to make hydrogen black pr to try to say that before when they were robots that they didn't put toxic gas into the air to suffocate humans 85 years before today.
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TDI_DRVR 8:08PM (3/02/2009)
What a great BMW to run BioDiesel and drive in snow! I hope they sell a X3 AWD Diesel in the USA! 36mpg is very good in this class. BMW is the best auto maker.
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