TAKING on the global success that is Range Rover’s Evoque is a daunting task for any manufacturer and BMW knew that in order to compete in the luxury sports utility sector its X3 had to raise its game.

Such has been the Evoque’s popularity over the past two years that it has become the benchmark for the sector against which all others are judged.

Tilting at the Evoque’s crown, the German manufacturer claims its new X3 is now the class leader with “an unbeatable combination of driving dynamics, style, efficiency and practicality”.

Power comes from BMW’s new generation of TwinPower Turbo diesel engines, which suggest improved performance across the range combined with better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.

As an example, the X3 sDrive18d is claimed to have a combined fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of 60.1mpg and 124g/km. Meanwhile, the opposite end of the range, the new xDrive35d promises 152mph flat out and a sprint to 62mph from rest in just 5.3 seconds, while still achieving over 47mpg.

The new X3 also boasts styling revisions including new colours, better interior design and uprated equipment as standard.

The new BMW X3 goes on sale in June 2014, priced from £30,990 OTR for an X3 sDrive18d SE.

Will the ‘Special One’ cast his magic spell over the F-Type?

FRESH from the launch of its new British Villains campaign, Jaguar has now turned to another love-hate figure as its latest brand ambassador, Chelsea football manager José Mourinho.

He became the first person in the UK to receive a new F-Type Coupé at exclusive event in Canary Wharf, where he was joined by other sports stars and celebrities to mark the new car’s UK launch.

In typically enigmatic fashion, Mourinho responded to a question about what his Chelsea players thought of their manager driving such a car by saying “How can this old man drive such a cool car”.

Asked about his own take on the car, he went on to say: “It drives like a great player because it does what I want it to do.”

Time will tell whether the new sports car is in the Champions League when it comes to its own performance but the buzz generated so far suggests even Lionel Messi would be impressed.

Turning over a new Leaf

CHANGING pace, January proved another record-breaking month for Nissan’s electric flagship, the Leaf.

Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show the hatchback notched up 230 sales during the month – a 1,000% increase on the same month last year.

The figures show nearly three quarters of all pure electric vehicles sold in January 2014 were Nissan Leafs. EAFs, continuing the trend secured last year.

Electric indeed.

Drive safely.