Hartge Launches X3 ‘Hunter’

Back in June, German BMW tuner Hartge presented its “field and game” interpretation of the BMW X3 – the Hartge HUNTER. Now, six months later, Hartge has supplied more information on the “ultimate hunting machine” and it’s time to judge whether this is the car for nimrods.

Apart from giving the X3 a proper hunting color, washable ‘Sensatec’ leather seats and a steering wheel in green leather and maple, Hartge has increased ground clearance by three centimetres (to 23 cm) and fitted proper all-terrain tires on Hartge’s 18-inch light weight alloys. The Hunter is available in two engine variants; the 3.0d where power has been upped from a standard 218 bhp to 253 bhp and the 335 bhp 3.0sd for the “bhp-spoiled hunters’ society.” The axle drive ratio has been shortened and thanks to the extra torque and automatic differential locks the Hunter manages well in rough terrain. It is also capable of climbing slopes up to 48 degrees and is ‘certified’ to wade through waters of 50 cm. That’s almost Land Rover Defender performance…

It’s well known that BMW’s X-series sport utility vehicles have never been praised for their off road capabilities, but if you really want to go off road, this is certainly BMW’s top candidate for the job. Then again, there’s always the Defender. In fact, for this kind of money you could easily pick up the Land Rover Defender Design Edition that we showed you earlier this week. But you won’t be carrying the game home at 210 km/h.

Source: WorldCarFans.com

HARTGE HUNTER splendour: X3 as expertly off-road vehicle 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).