Photo: BMW AG
BMW and MINI sure love to preview their future models even when still clad in many layers of camouflage during pre-production trials or just before their gala presentation – the fourth-gen G45 X3 and first-ever Aceman electric subcompact crossover SUV are no exception.
The rumor mill, especially leaksters and spy photographers, together with the imaginative realm of digital car content creators, have made it increasingly hard for automakers to hide their most important releases until their chosen moment of the reveal. As such, they are fighting back by including the vehicles in their teaser announcements when still clad in camouflage.
Some automakers even spill the beans way ahead of the official introduction, but the Bavarians over at the BMW Group like to keep it short and sweet with prototype previews. The latest examples come from both the namesake BMW brand and the British MINI subsidiary with the latest previews of the upcoming fourth-generation (G45) X3 compact crossover SUV (or SAV as BMW likes to call them) and MINI's first-ever (but second CUV overall) electric subcompact crossover SUV, Aceman.
According to the company, the new BMW X3 is nearing the end of the development cycle, and the final fine-tuning of all chassis control and driver assistance systems was conducted at the BMW Group test center in Miramas, southern France. The good news is that we won't have to speculate for much longer about the potential looks and features of the fourth iteration – and unlike the next iX3 (based on the Vision Neue Klasse X concept), it won't feature a radical redesign.
It won't come with split headlights, a humongous vertical kidney grille, or edgy styling, so it may be spared the usual controversies. Anyway, BMW promises the new generation will feature an "intelligent lightweight construction and optimized aerodynamic properties." That results in a drag coefficient of just 0.27, "setting new standards" in the highly competitive segment of premium compact CUVs. Compared to its predecessor, it's supposedly wider, more rigid, features better directional stability, and has more direct steering plus improved cornering dynamics. Options will include an Adaptive Chassis with electronically controlled shock absorbers. At the same time, standard features like BMW Lateral Dynamics Management, BMW iDrive with BMW Operating System 9 and BMW iDrive Controller, Active Lane Change Assistant, and the Parking and Maneuver Assistant also abound.
Moving to MINI, the British brand will officially present their first-ever Aceman battery-powered subcompact crossover SUV to the global audience, positioned above the MINI Cooper E and SE but below the MINI Countryman SE at the 18th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. The 2024 edition of Auto China takes place between April 25 and May 4, and MINI is presenting the Aceman as part of its motor show theme, "New Era, New Cars." It won't go there alone as it will be joined by the MINI Cooper E and SE, as well as the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman All4 compact crossover SUV.
Some automakers even spill the beans way ahead of the official introduction, but the Bavarians over at the BMW Group like to keep it short and sweet with prototype previews. The latest examples come from both the namesake BMW brand and the British MINI subsidiary with the latest previews of the upcoming fourth-generation (G45) X3 compact crossover SUV (or SAV as BMW likes to call them) and MINI's first-ever (but second CUV overall) electric subcompact crossover SUV, Aceman.
According to the company, the new BMW X3 is nearing the end of the development cycle, and the final fine-tuning of all chassis control and driver assistance systems was conducted at the BMW Group test center in Miramas, southern France. The good news is that we won't have to speculate for much longer about the potential looks and features of the fourth iteration – and unlike the next iX3 (based on the Vision Neue Klasse X concept), it won't feature a radical redesign.
It won't come with split headlights, a humongous vertical kidney grille, or edgy styling, so it may be spared the usual controversies. Anyway, BMW promises the new generation will feature an "intelligent lightweight construction and optimized aerodynamic properties." That results in a drag coefficient of just 0.27, "setting new standards" in the highly competitive segment of premium compact CUVs. Compared to its predecessor, it's supposedly wider, more rigid, features better directional stability, and has more direct steering plus improved cornering dynamics. Options will include an Adaptive Chassis with electronically controlled shock absorbers. At the same time, standard features like BMW Lateral Dynamics Management, BMW iDrive with BMW Operating System 9 and BMW iDrive Controller, Active Lane Change Assistant, and the Parking and Maneuver Assistant also abound.
Moving to MINI, the British brand will officially present their first-ever Aceman battery-powered subcompact crossover SUV to the global audience, positioned above the MINI Cooper E and SE but below the MINI Countryman SE at the 18th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition. The 2024 edition of Auto China takes place between April 25 and May 4, and MINI is presenting the Aceman as part of its motor show theme, "New Era, New Cars." It won't go there alone as it will be joined by the MINI Cooper E and SE, as well as the MINI John Cooper Works Countryman All4 compact crossover SUV.
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