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In the compact luxury segment, the BMW X3 predates the likes of the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLK. The current-gen X3, however, is yesterday’s news compared to the redesigned Q5 and the GLC. Not wanting to lose its footing, BMW will get serious in August 2017, when the all-new BMW X3 is rumored to be revealed.
As per BMW Blog’s sources, the G01 X3 “will be unveiled in August 2017, followed a month later by the world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Sales of the G01 X3 are scheduled to begin in March 2018.” Next year, the mighty F90 M5 and G32 6 Series Gran Turismo are also due to be unveiled.
The G01 X3, however, is the make-or-break model from that list, chiefly because the compact luxury crossover SUV segment is a goldmine in the U.S. and Europe alike. Longer, wider, and more spacious than the F25 X3, the G01 X3 is built on the BMW CLAR platform. What that means is that curb weight will go down by 100 kilograms (220 pounds) or thereabout, thanks to light yet strong materials such as aluminum-based alloys, magnesium, and steel.
Other than a plug-in hybrid tentatively named X3 xDrive35e, the third-generation BMW X3’s lineup will include 2.0-liter and 3.0-liter turbo mills. Sure contenders come in the form of the B47 and B48 four bangers, joined the B57 and B58 inline-sixers. X3 M40i and M40d models are due as well.
The keenest customers out there will be treated to a full-blown M variant. Expected to be called X3 M, the most serious incarnation of the G01-gen X3 will reportedly pack 500 PS or so thanks to a very special inline-6 unit.
The rumor mill doesn’t agree on the engine's origins, but there are two possibilities we should take into account. One is a pumped up S55 from the F80 M3. As for the other, the BMW M skunkworks could take the B58 TwinPower Turbo, tune it, then shoehorn it under the hood of the X3 M.
The G01 X3, however, is the make-or-break model from that list, chiefly because the compact luxury crossover SUV segment is a goldmine in the U.S. and Europe alike. Longer, wider, and more spacious than the F25 X3, the G01 X3 is built on the BMW CLAR platform. What that means is that curb weight will go down by 100 kilograms (220 pounds) or thereabout, thanks to light yet strong materials such as aluminum-based alloys, magnesium, and steel.
Other than a plug-in hybrid tentatively named X3 xDrive35e, the third-generation BMW X3’s lineup will include 2.0-liter and 3.0-liter turbo mills. Sure contenders come in the form of the B47 and B48 four bangers, joined the B57 and B58 inline-sixers. X3 M40i and M40d models are due as well.
The keenest customers out there will be treated to a full-blown M variant. Expected to be called X3 M, the most serious incarnation of the G01-gen X3 will reportedly pack 500 PS or so thanks to a very special inline-6 unit.
The rumor mill doesn’t agree on the engine's origins, but there are two possibilities we should take into account. One is a pumped up S55 from the F80 M3. As for the other, the BMW M skunkworks could take the B58 TwinPower Turbo, tune it, then shoehorn it under the hood of the X3 M.
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