Photo: SB Medien
It seems like just yesterday we were welcoming the facelift for the F25 X3 and yet BMW is already testing its successor. The first batch of spy shots with the upcoming X car were just sent over by our carparazzi and we have to say things look ... premature.
We can’t make out a lot of details out of these photos both because of the heavy camouflage but also due of the fact that this is an early prototype. The headlights and taillights are used just for functional reasons and we don’t have a clue as to how their design will look like.
The overall shape of the car seems basically the same compared to its predecessor. No major changes can be noticed which was to be expected. What we do like is the twin tailpipe setup at the back something the F25 lacks at the moment.
Even the character lines down the sides seem the same but subtle differences are already noticeable, especially up front. The kidney grilles look a bit wider and positioned lower. That could have to do with the pedestrian safety regulations in the EU.
As for the interior, don’t expect huge changes in terms of room. There will be some extra space but the differences should be smaller than those noticed between the current X1 and the upcoming one. That’s because the X3 will be kept on a rear-wheel drive platform, CLAR (cluster architecture) unlike its smaller brother that will migrate to a FWD one (UKL).
The rear seats are rumored to offer more flexibility as in being height and length adjustable as well as offering reclining backseats. Think of the seats inside a 5 Series GT and you’ll get as excited as we are.
Under the bonnet, the new B-family of engines will reside, with plants ranging from 2-liter 4-cylinder petrol and diesel units to 3-liter 6-cylinder inline alternatives. Rumors have it that we’re also going to see the first X3 M model that uses the S55 engine in the M3 and M4 but allow us to be reserved in confirming that just yet. What we can can tell you, though, is that the future X3 will surely have a plug-in hybrid model in the range, one that is expected to borrow the same setup the X5 xDrive40e will have.
The overall shape of the car seems basically the same compared to its predecessor. No major changes can be noticed which was to be expected. What we do like is the twin tailpipe setup at the back something the F25 lacks at the moment.
Even the character lines down the sides seem the same but subtle differences are already noticeable, especially up front. The kidney grilles look a bit wider and positioned lower. That could have to do with the pedestrian safety regulations in the EU.
As for the interior, don’t expect huge changes in terms of room. There will be some extra space but the differences should be smaller than those noticed between the current X1 and the upcoming one. That’s because the X3 will be kept on a rear-wheel drive platform, CLAR (cluster architecture) unlike its smaller brother that will migrate to a FWD one (UKL).
The rear seats are rumored to offer more flexibility as in being height and length adjustable as well as offering reclining backseats. Think of the seats inside a 5 Series GT and you’ll get as excited as we are.
Under the bonnet, the new B-family of engines will reside, with plants ranging from 2-liter 4-cylinder petrol and diesel units to 3-liter 6-cylinder inline alternatives. Rumors have it that we’re also going to see the first X3 M model that uses the S55 engine in the M3 and M4 but allow us to be reserved in confirming that just yet. What we can can tell you, though, is that the future X3 will surely have a plug-in hybrid model in the range, one that is expected to borrow the same setup the X5 xDrive40e will have.
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