[bmrwrld]

Originally Posted by apptest

Works now ...

Did the designer not have a protractor for the wheel well.

[kozzi]

After watching the video, the ability to swap out to all-black kidneys is not going to be easy anymore. They adapt aerodynamically to driving conditions / speed / wind etc.

Originally Posted by bmrwrld

Did the designer not have a protractor for the wheel well.

If you watch the video, the designer explains why the wheel well is shaped that way...which everyone will start copying.

[Max Well]

Just one more view, this time at the 30'10" time mark - on the other X3 clearly also seems to show the air breather's inlet...

It makes absolutely no sense for this model to be an outlier for their aerodynamic design, and if it isn't needed, then close the gap with the body. I have to think that somehow Calvin just blanked when asked whether it was functional or not during the filming. But he clearly indicates the air curtain is functional and this was "more of a decorative element", which is the only reason I paid attention to this - otherwise I would have viewed it as just a mistake by the show's Reporter. Hopefully someone who has seen it in person can confirm, or perhaps Scott.

[DRTMGRT]

Originally Posted by X4guy

First real life preview, not marketing stuff! More details not shown previously! Yes the cheap hard plastic is still there :-(

In depth view. Nice!

Favorite part, "I think I can fit two fists inside."

Referring to the massive exhausts tips of course.

[skier219]

On the 2018 4-series vehicles, if you get a sport or luxury line model, the vent is open from the rear of the wheel well to the fender outlet. If you get a M sport model, it is closed up (from both inside the wheel well and on the exterior fender trim). I can only assume this has something to do with the unique aero package the M sport models get, and as they were working out the aerodynamic tuning, they determined it should be closed up (either to lower drag or increase downforce, or some combination). Could be the same case with the new X3, and may depend on whether or not the vehicle has the M aero package.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by BeeMdblU

is it me or did we lose the central climate wheel on the center console?

Damn!

I honestly love that simple little feature...Now they f'ed it up and shoved it in the idrive...

Only work around is a programmable button...

Seriously, leave the damn wheel alone

[SamS]

The X3 is about to pass the 3-series in US sales, and once it does, there will be no turning back. Which is why the features, performance and styling of the G01 is even more interesting to me than the upcoming G20.

[starbai]

Originally Posted by X4guy

First real life preview, not marketing stuff! More details not shown previously! Yes the cheap hard plastic is still there :-(

long video... so been watching it in sections... about half way through... liking what i seen so far.

This guy as a presenter is horrible tho lol

[kozzi]

Originally Posted by Max Well

Just one more view, this time at the 30'10" time mark - on the other X3 clearly also seems to show the air breather's inlet...

It makes absolutely no sense for this model to be an outlier for their aerodynamic design, and if it isn't needed, then close the gap with the body. I have to think that somehow Calvin just blanked when asked whether it was functional or not during the filming. But he clearly indicates the air curtain is functional and this was "more of a decorative element", which is the only reason I paid attention to this - otherwise I would have viewed it as just a mistake by the show's Reporter. Hopefully someone who has seen it in person can confirm, or perhaps Scott.

Why would they design air to flow through the front air vents only to hit the back of the wheel well? Wouldn't that cause drag? I always assumed they were functional.

[kozzi]

Originally Posted by DRTMGRT

In depth view. Nice!

Favorite part, "I think I can fit two fists inside."

Referring to the massive exhausts tips of course.

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by starbai

long video... so been watching it in sections... about half way through... liking what i seen so far.

This guy as a presenter is horrible tho lol

Agreed. After 2 minutes i started fast forwarding.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by skier219

On the 2018 4-series vehicles, if you get a sport or luxury line model, the vent is open from the rear of the wheel well to the fender outlet. If you get a M sport model, it is closed up (from both inside the wheel well and on the exterior fender trim). I can only assume this has something to do with the unique aero package the M sport models get, and as they were working out the aerodynamic tuning, they determined it should be closed up (either to lower drag or increase downforce, or some combination). Could be the same case with the new X3, and may depend on whether or not the vehicle has the M aero package.

Could very well be, skier - your discussion sure seems logical. But it is difficult to find consistency across their M model line-up if the assumption is that the M aero design makes it unnecessary. The M6 has neither curtains or breathers, the M2 only the curtains (no breathers), but the M3, M4, X5M and X6M have both curtains and breathers. As we're close to being a mini X5, I'm surprised with the performance of the M40i we wouldn't have similar aerodynamic requirements, but with all of the work they have put in on the G01's underbody, flow patterns in the front wheel housings may be different now, I don't know.

Originally Posted by kozzi

Why would they design air to flow through the front air vents only to hit the back of the wheel well? Wouldn't that cause drag? I always assumed they were functional.

The purpose and benefits of the different aerodynamic elements initially confused me quite a bit as well, Kozzi, but they have an interesting virtual page which helped to clarify for me how the curtains, breathers, blades, and vents are meant to work.
http://www.bmw.com.hr/com/en/insight...mics_2013.html So, the curtains apparently guide the air flow laterally to the outside of the wheels, which smooths the turbulence caused by the housings. The breathers channel the turbulence in the front wheel housings coming in (from underbody and/or ?) thereby reducing air currents and the aerodynamic drag. So for the models that don't have the breathers, I guess it suggests their underbody designs have now improved this incoming disruptive flow pattern so it is not such a major problem for some of the G01 model designs? Clearly just guessing here, but am trying to understand the reasoning...

[mindanalyzer]

Originally Posted by ChicagoNorthShore

M40i in Phytonic Blue ext and Cognac interior will also be my next vehicle for the right price, if too expensive, then will settle for 30i w/ Msport pack in same specs. My 2015 BMW X3 lease ends this December so great timing

Exactly my thoughts, ... although the M40i is a dream!!!

[mindanalyzer]

Originally Posted by IvanLZ

This new X3 looks way better than the new gen Q5. Interior also looks so much better. Good job BMW.

Agree, I hate the Q5's rounded profile; I just can't stand these egg-y profiles in some Audis and infinitis.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by mindanalyzer

Agree, I hate the Q5's rounded profile; I just can't stand these egg-y profiles in some Audis and infinitis.

GLC too...The GLK at least had some personality. I loved that vehicle, but the interior was so lacking. Almost pulled the trigger on GLK diesel before I picked up my F'10 for a few years.

X3 40i definitely on my next car list. Gotta say I love the new Countryman too...

[skier219]

Originally Posted by Max Well

Could very well be, skier - your discussion sure seems logical. But it is difficult to find consistency across their M model line-up if the assumption is that the M aero design makes it unnecessary. The M6 has neither curtains or breathers, the M2 only the curtains (no breathers), but the M3, M4, X5M and X6M have both curtains and breathers. As we're close to being a mini X5, I'm surprised with the performance of the M40i we wouldn't have similar aerodynamic requirements, but with all of the work they have put in on the G01's underbody, flow patterns in the front wheel housings may be different now, I don't know.

The purpose and benefits of the different aerodynamic elements initially confused me quite a bit as well, Kozzi, but they have an interesting virtual page which helped to clarify for me how the curtains, breathers, blades, and vents are meant to work.
http://www.bmw.com.hr/com/en/insight...mics_2013.html So, the curtains apparently guide the air flow laterally to the outside of the wheels, which smooths the turbulence caused by the housings. The breathers channel the turbulence in the front wheel housings coming in (from underbody and/or ?) thereby reducing air currents and the aerodynamic drag. So for the models that don't have the breathers, I guess it suggests their underbody designs have now improved this incoming disruptive flow pattern so it is not such a major problem for some of the G01 model designs? Clearly just guessing here, but am trying to understand the reasoning...

I work aerodynamics for my day job -- mostly airplanes and rockets, but have worked on 18-wheelers and some race cars. Sometimes it's hard to find aerodynamic consistency across a range of vehicles or even the same vehicle when you look at the whole envelope of conditions. What works here doesn't work there, etc. Everything is a compromise with a fixed geometry. You'll see variable geometry (think spoilers that pop up at certain speeds, etc) to try to optimize for different parts of the envelope, but that adds complexity and weight and isn't a sure bet on a system level. Overall, it wouldn't surprise me to see a whole lot of inconsistency across a vehicle lineup if BMW is serious about aerodynamics and takes the time to really flush things out.

The other thing that wouldn't surprise me is if they discover some of this stuff with trial and error in a wind tunnel. It may be that when developing the aerodynamic package for the different lines of a vehicle, they try with and without the various vents, and they probably fiddle with tape over the openings to see what works best. On the 4-series sport/luxury models, the curtain vent is open from the front bumper to the front of the wheelwell, and the breather is open from the rear of the wheewell to the fender. On the M-sport model, only the front curtain vent is open, but the rear breather is closed. For whatever reason, that arrangement must have worked better for M-sport. Could have been drag, downforce, or some combination. Due to the higher speeds these models are allowed to run to, I'd almost bet it was a downforce consideration.

The last thing I want to mention is that a lot of aerodynamic tricks like these vents aren't so much about flow as they are about communicating pressure. For drag reduction you want to reduce the pressure on forward facing surfaces and increase it on rearward facing surfaces. For downforce you want to increase pressure on upper surfaces and reduce it on lower surfaces. The vents are more about communicating pressure to attain these goals -- they are not large enough to really pass a meaningful amount of flow, but they can pass a little bit of flow to relieve a high pressure area or boost up a low pressure area. All of that in turn can have a big effect on flow in/around the wheels/wheelwells and down the side of the vehicle, for a larger "net" gain.

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by SamS

If you go to Spartanburg for PCD, they let you drive either F15s or F25s on some crazy off-road adventures. After doing that 2x, I'm convinced these machines can handle some serious terrain.

This has always been there, but it's the first time BMW is touting an X series vehicle for off-roading in marketing material. I can tell you my X4 with sports suspension hates anything rough!

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by skier219

I work aerodynamics for my day job -- mostly airplanes and rockets, but have worked on 18-wheelers and some race cars. Sometimes it's hard to find aerodynamic consistency across a range of vehicles or even the same vehicle when you look at the whole envelope of conditions. What works here doesn't work there, etc. ...

Wonderful explanation, skier - thank you for sharing your thoughts!

[SamS]

Originally Posted by X4guy

This has always been there, but it's the first time BMW is touting an X series vehicle for off-roading in marketing material. I can tell you my X4 with sports suspension hates anything rough!

Understood. Which is why I'm thinking the M40i might ride quite a bit better with the 19"/20" vs 21s.

[Bimar]

Originally Posted by SamS

Understood. Which is why I'm thinking the M40i might ride quite a bit better with the 19"/20" vs 21s.

They may surprise us, hope one can opt out of the run flats and have a spare tire.

[Bimar]

The msport bumpers looking good...too bad it seems if,you want the M40i you can't get this bumper.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by X4guy

The msport bumpers looking good...too bad it seems if,you want the M40i you can't get this bumper.

That is the same bumper as M40i.