Munich (DPA) ― BMW is offering the X3 Sports Activity Vehicle with an extended range of engines promising more performanceand greater fuel efficiency as well as options including a real-timetraffic information function.

From the European autumn this year the X3 will come with a choiceof three petrol engines and three diesel units spanning an outputrange of 135 kW/184 hp to the top of the range X3 xDrive35d with 230kW/313 hp.

Fuel-saving technology includes the Auto Start-Stop function thatcan be combined with both the six-speed manual and the eight-speedautomatic transmission.

The new engine’s BMW TwinPower Turbo technology includes a turbocharging system based on the twin-scroll principle, along with HighPrecision Injection direct petrol injection, Double-Vanos variablecamshaft control and Valvetronic variable valve control.

In conjunction with a navigation system, the Real-Time TrafficInformation function will also be available for the new BMW X3 fromautumn 2011, according to the car maker.

The system provides particularly accurate and up-to-the-minutecongestion alerts as well as information on the traffic situation onmotorways, country roads and selected city routes. It allows thedriver to take into account any potential loss of time resulting froma diversion when recalculating the route.