We had mud, glorious mud, and lots of it last weekend - in southern Spain, not Ireland. Rain descending out of a leaden sky and chill winds had everyone running for cover but the driving was fun.
The folks at BMW were happy too, that we were enjoying ourselves: the adverse elements proved that the new X3 could masterfully control itself on a steep and slippery Andalucian hillside.
You may not have heard too much about X3 yet. Predictably, it's a little brother for the X5, BMW's highly successful American-built prestige all-road vehicle, and it will be making its Irish debut next June. There will 2.5 and three-litre petrol versions and a diesel 2.5 with Irish prices likely to start at around €50,000. Even though it will only be on sale for half a year, the new BMW Irish company is anticipating 250 registrations. "That's our full allocation for 2004 and we certainly won't have any difficulty taking it, especially with the success of the X5," says spokeswoman Clare O'Neill.
The muddy hillside drive was a token one kilometre, just proving the X3 could be tough in tough off-road going. Actually, it's superior to the senior sibling in this department, boasting a far more advanced system called xDrive that has sensors recognising the need for all-wheel-drive before any wheel loses traction. In start-up mode, up to 12 mph, the clutch locks to ensure maximum traction, then the system distributes power as required until, at speeds above 112 mph, only the rear wheels are driven.
The next facelift of X5 will incorporate xDrive. Also ensuring that the X3 isn't a runaway is the HDC or Hill Descent Control facility, allowing steep gradients to be descended easily without reference to the brakes.
X3, like X5, will mostly be showing glamorous muscularity on streets and roads and motorways, not off them, and BMW like other manufacturers in the off-road business, recognises that. A goodly number of buyers do, however, like off-roaders for their towing capability. In the X3, BMW has added in an extra feature called TSC which plausibly stands for Trailer Stability Control, preventing swaying while in motion.
What then of the driving? Our test was in the 3.0 litre petrol model with231 bhp peaks at 130 mph or 139 mph with the optional sports package that includes a revised chassis and different wheels and tyres. BMW also says it will get from 0 to 62 mph or 100 kph in 7.8 seconds. If you were in the X5, that leap would take 8.5 seconds and much more importantly, you would be using around 10 per cent more fuel.
The X3 feels well-controlled and surefooted on the tarmac, but it doesn't come across as a high-powered invigorating performer. On the hilly roads of Andalucia, the driving message was discreet with little engine, wind or road noise disturbing the cabin interior. The five-speed automatic delivered seamless changes in climbing modes. The best bit of the driving pleasure was sitting high, with the X3 being only 41 mm lower than the X5.
BMW describes the X3 profile as a mixture of convex and concave body surfaces. Accentuating the off-road tough message are touches like matt black bumpers, wheelarch trims, sills, window surrounds and roof rails. At the back, the roofline drops to become a tailgate spoiler, emphasising BMW sportiness. (In BMW speak, the X3 is a SAV, that's Sports Activity Vehicle).
The fascia is somewhat reminiscent of that on the recently-launched Z4 sports car, being functional rather than opulent. We were fascinated to discover that the boot accommodates 1,560 litres of luggage with the rear seats folded which makes it bigger than the X5's.
The X5's power and influence in the BMW hierarchy would then seem be challenged by this new family arrival. It, with the 204bhp three-litre diesel engine that wasn't available at the international press launch, is set to represent a far better blending of performance and economy. Like the new 530i and 530d, it is likely to be priced identical with the petrol counterpart.
There's no doubt that the X3 is set to make its mark on the all-road scene that's SUV or SAV. It's in the fastest growing segment in the world, jumping by over 50 per cent in the next 10 years.