We are less than a year away from seeing what BMW has cooked for the mid-cycle facelift of the current BMW X3 and X4, with their much fresher M versions in for an update as well.
Called LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) in BMW speak, the facelift is expected to update the X3 and its swoopy X4 brother in a rather extensive way, both regarding design and features.
This is not about the more mainstream models but the full-blown BMW X3 M and X4 M though, which were recently spotted during some (very) cold weather tests in the northern parts of Sweden.
Sporting quite a few visual changes on both ends of the models, you can rest assured that neither of two super sports SUVs will feature a larger-than-life kidney grille, though.
That said, the grilles will definitely occupy more real estate than before, and there are rumors that they will be LED-illuminated as an option, just like on the X6.
You can also have a closer look at the new shape for the headlights in the attached spy photos, with their overall contour being more similar to what you can find on the BMW X5.
More aggressive-looking front and rear bumper, alongside new LED taillight graphics should complete the exterior refresh of both the X3 M and X4 M LCI, with the interiors probably getting the biggest upgrades.
Based on the latest evolution of the iDrive 7 infotainment system, the interior will get a dual-screen setup likes all its more modern stablemates, with the center console being redesigned as well.
Don’t expect too many upgrades to the twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter straight-six powerhouses under the hood, both of their versions having already enough horsepower and torque to trump a Porsche Macan Turbo, for example.
As most of you know, the S58 engine shared with the bonkers BMW M3 and M4 can deliver 480 horsepower and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque in the ‘standard’ models. Upgrade to the X3 M or X4 M Competition and you can play with no less than 510 horsepower, so there isn’t much need for improvement in this area.
This is not about the more mainstream models but the full-blown BMW X3 M and X4 M though, which were recently spotted during some (very) cold weather tests in the northern parts of Sweden.
Sporting quite a few visual changes on both ends of the models, you can rest assured that neither of two super sports SUVs will feature a larger-than-life kidney grille, though.
That said, the grilles will definitely occupy more real estate than before, and there are rumors that they will be LED-illuminated as an option, just like on the X6.
You can also have a closer look at the new shape for the headlights in the attached spy photos, with their overall contour being more similar to what you can find on the BMW X5.
More aggressive-looking front and rear bumper, alongside new LED taillight graphics should complete the exterior refresh of both the X3 M and X4 M LCI, with the interiors probably getting the biggest upgrades.
Based on the latest evolution of the iDrive 7 infotainment system, the interior will get a dual-screen setup likes all its more modern stablemates, with the center console being redesigned as well.
Don’t expect too many upgrades to the twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter straight-six powerhouses under the hood, both of their versions having already enough horsepower and torque to trump a Porsche Macan Turbo, for example.
As most of you know, the S58 engine shared with the bonkers BMW M3 and M4 can deliver 480 horsepower and 600 Nm (443 lb-ft) of torque in the ‘standard’ models. Upgrade to the X3 M or X4 M Competition and you can play with no less than 510 horsepower, so there isn’t much need for improvement in this area.