Hartge goes off-roading with the X3 "Hunter"
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The closest BMW has ever come to having an off-road vehicle was sticking its V8 engines into Range Rovers. Even it's "Sport Activity Vehicle", the X5, rarely sees time off the pavement and sticks to hauling kids to school and soccer practice. Hartge has set out to change that with an off-road program for Bimmer SUVs, the latest of which is an X3 dubbed the "Hunter". The Bavarian tuner gives the mini-ute increased ground clearance with longer springs and shocks as well as spacers up front. An underbody stainless steel skid plate, shortened axle ratio, and automatic differential locks on both axles improve its exploring capabilities. All-terrain tires are a must, and they are mounted on Hartge's lightweight 18-inch "Classic 2" wheels. For the true enthusiast, Hartge offers washable seat covers and a "green look" interior. We doubt Land Rover and Jeep owners will be flocking to their local BMW dealership for a trade-in, but it's definitely one of the more capable off-road BMWs we've seen. The press release is after the jump, and you can view the X3 Hunter in action in the gallery below.
[Source: Hartge]
Gallery: Hartge BMW X3 Hunter
PRESS RELEASE
As a successful race driver and team manager on the international stage, Herbert Hartge applies motor sports technology know-how into each of his BMW-based vehicles. The reason a racy all-wheel-drive vehicle is now fully suitable for hunting on even the most challenging terrain situations, lies not only in the fact that he's able to fall back on a wealth of gathered rallye sport experience: Herbert is truly an avid and passionate hunter.
As a successful race driver and team manager on the international stage, Herbert Hartge applies motor sports technology know-how into each of his BMW-based vehicles. The reason a racy all-wheel-drive vehicle is now fully suitable for hunting on even the most challenging terrain situations, lies not only in the fact that he's able to fall back on a wealth of gathered rallye sport experience: Herbert is truly an avid and passionate hunter.
The modified X3 renders his passion. As "HUNTER" it embodies a fine sleek manner of moving expertly and stylishly over rough and smooth. The necessary ground clearance of 23 cm is provided by longer spring/damper units, additional front spacer blocks and very good all-terrain-pneus (255/55 R 18) which are mounted on HARTGE's "CLASSIC 2" light alloy wheels. A considerable larger angle of driving slope (for example 31° instead of 23.9° at the front) and an improved ramp angle made possible despite the use of a continuous solid underbody skid plate made of stainless steel forgiving even hard hits of the ground, predestine the "HUNTER" for the hunting-ground, in which its off-road tyre patterns leave impressive footprints. Thanks to a shortened axle drive ratio, an excellent traction and an increased torque, the 3.0d - whose Common-Rail-engine HARTGE pushed to 253 bhp (compared to 218 bhp in the production X3) - clambers up slopes up to 48°. Further terrain capabilities are certified with a wading depth of 50 cm and a axle articulation index of 63 percent.
The full range of HARTGE performance enhancements naturally extend to the version for the bhp-spoiled hunters society. In the 3.0sd 335hp/246 kW (factory 283 hp/210 kW) blow the mort through the hunting horn. The power-plus is gained through tuning of the electronic control unit (ECU): within technical territories tuner HARTGE is already a famous "hunting" authority. Automatic differential locks on both axles ease the "HUNTER's" ability to stalk through difficult terrain. Stainless steel grating protects and guards the radiator from damage due to thick underbrush or rocks.
In addition to many practical accessories, which include washable Sensatec seat covers, customers requests for the "green look" will be fulfilled: from a sports steering wheel made from green leather/maple, a speedometer with green instrument dial, leather interior through to a trunk mat in the same colour. Although not being designed for being a work animal like the Land Rover Defender, the X3 offers enough space for hunting gear including a tub for carrying the game.
Again, this X3 clearly demonstrates its supremacy on off-road terrain. HARTGE's "HUNTER" enriches the hunting scene as an off-road vehicle, which in contrast to the British Landy or German G-Class cuts a fine figure "onroad" as well with speeds up to 210 km/h (dependent upon tyre manufacturer).
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
adam 3:20PM (12/23/2007)
After seeing "Race to Dakar" with Charley Boorman, I have no confidence in the BMW platforms as serious off-road vehicle, regardless of the tuner that modified them.
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MemphisNET 3:29PM (12/23/2007)
That and where is the market for this? Does anyone actually care or asking the dealer for this kind of setup?
Yar 3:39PM (12/23/2007)
Hahaha, I needed a good laugh today...
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matt 3:42PM (12/23/2007)
it's really sad to see a BMW as an off-road vehicle.
but it's worse to see one as a soccer-mom-taxi.
-a BMW fan who thinks the X series should die a horrible, horrible death
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TC 4:10PM (12/23/2007)
They do need to make money after all to keep developing those precious M5, M3s without them going into stratospheric pricing.
matt 4:43PM (12/23/2007)
IMO, the M series is already into stratospheric pricing considering the performance you can now get out of the regular 335.
However, BMWs will always be overpriced (not Porsche-overpriced, but still overpriced) and it's part of what makes a BMW a BMW. It's also a reason I only buy (gently) used BMWs when possible.
If the X series was canceled next model year I don't think we would hear too many complaints from anyone who really cares about BMW. The soccer moms could all go buy Lexus *X series, Infiniti *X series, or Porsche Cayennes (*shudder*) and still be happy.
SOhp101 4:39AM (12/24/2007)
BMWs in general are expensive already, not just the M models. Thank goodness I don't look at BMWs using your logic ("BMWs will always be overpriced and it's part of what makes a BMW a BMW"). I prefer to listening to people who drive/analyze vehicles from all manufacturers, not just one, but thanks for your input.
BMW makes wonderful products, but I have to say that unless I had a virtually unlimited budget for a vehicle, Infiniti and Acura create vehicles that are a just a tad bit worse (opinion varies) for a lot less money (no question).
You know who'd be pissed about ending the X5/X3? Private investors/owners. There's money to be made in the luxury SUV segment and no manufacturer is stupid enough to step out of it just yet.
rmc 10:45AM (12/24/2007)
I really care about BMW and i like all X's, as much as any of 3 of my family's BMWs (including 6, though i'm not thinking about trading my brand new x5, but i'll give it a try) and i know it would be financial disaster to get rid of them.
3seriesisking 1:22PM (12/24/2007)
Death to the X.
TonyMN 4:24PM (12/23/2007)
A neighbor here in Minnesota got his X5 stuck in his driveway last winter. He drove into the plowed-in driveway, but he couldn't back out again. All four wheels were spinning, and it was bottomed out on the snow pile.
Quite sad.
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info 4:35PM (12/23/2007)
Is that any worse than all the four wheel drive owners that think their vehicles are infallible and the up in a ditch or, worse, other kinds of accidents. Besides, can you name an SUV or similar vehicle that has never gotten stuck?
Jeff 4:40PM (12/23/2007)
All four wheels spinnging? Not sad at all. Better than a 4x4 with open diffs that gets stuck when just one wheel at each axle loses traction.
Exactly what vehicle won't get stuck when it's high-centered on something?
TonyMN 4:58PM (12/23/2007)
The problem was the lack of ground clearance and the poor judgement of the driver. He only drove far enough into the driveway to get the front wheels past the snow pile. If he had kept going up the drive a little more he would have been able to get some momentum going back down again. He assumed that his $50K SUV would have no problem getting out, but it took a $5 snow shovel to dig him out.
Jason Bird 5:32PM (12/23/2007)
I think your neighbors first lapse in judgement was when he bought the X5 to start with.
Offroad BMW=Jumbo Shrimp
What's next, a Hot Rod Rover? oh wait...
Brian 4:39PM (12/23/2007)
Stainless steel skid plate.
Does anyone else find this ironic?
And:
55 Aspect ratio tires for serious offroading?
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Harrison 4:48PM (12/23/2007)
Screw this. I'll take a Land Rover Defender over this.
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Greg Koenig 5:31PM (12/23/2007)
Lord help me, I am going to defend the X5...
So, when the X5 with the twin turbo diesel comes out, I am picking one up in a heartbeat. Of course, the vast majority of my driving is done on the slab or around town where offroad capabilities just aren't necessary, but I also like to ski, I also need to haul big things (I've been renting a truck 1-2 times per month lately), I like to go shooting in the woods (rutted dirt roads) and the GF and I take 2-3 big road trips a year.
For people like me who aren't going to be going up the Rubicon trail, but want a bit more ground clearance, storage space and a good 4x4 setup - but will be spending the vast majority of our time on pavement - the X5 is an excellent vehicle. BMW designed it as a vehicle for any road in any weather. No, you can't go rock crawling in it, but crappy dirt roads? snowy/icy roads? Twisty paved back country roads? The X5 handles them all beautifully.
With the twin turbo diesel, it will be a pretty kick ass machine!
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rmc 10:57AM (12/24/2007)
It will truly be,man
Jason Bird 5:36PM (12/23/2007)
You would be so much happier with a Benz GL...They were designed to go offroad. I understand that they will have a Bluetec version as well.
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Guenther 9:28AM (12/24/2007)
If you're a Bavarian with means, you don't buy a Benz- you get an Audi or a BMW. Otherwise, you're a traitor. There is a (small) market for this sort of up-fitting in Germany. I'm rather impressed by it actually having front and rear lockers.