With the competition not sitting idle, BMW is obviously trying to keep up the good sales work it has done so far – while detractors attract attention to its controversial designs, the 'regular' models get the spotlight and sell like hotcakes.
This is probably why so many people feel that BMW has a disjointed model roster. On one side, there are the quirky, crazy, or ugly options – depending on your POV – which include the M2, M3, M4, iX, XM Label Red, 7 Series, and i7, or the big X7 LCI, just to name a few. They serve as a 'bad publicity is still publicity' hook and anyone who doesn't want them still has ample choice from the regular model series and their more traditional design.
For example, BMW is preparing to welcome into the fold the G45 fourth generation of the X3 compact luxury crossover SUV, and the model is expected to debut later this year as a 2025 model year for the North American market. That's based on the speculation provided by the lesser-camouflaged X3 prototypes spied by our spy photographer partners and the fact that the scoop arena has also welcomed the apparition of the feisty X3 M50i or even the X3 M.
By the way, don't mistake the regular G45 BMW X3 for the 2026 BMW iX3 Neue Klasse, which isn't expected to win any beauty contests by popular vote of traditional Bavarian fans. Also, don't mistake the upcoming BMW X3 M for the rumored iM3, which is expected on the same EV architecture as the BMW iX3 Neue Klasse, boasting no less than one megawatt of power (1,341 horsepower). Anyway, if we mention the upcoming X3 M, let's see if we can visualize it across the imaginative realm of digital car content creators.
Luckily, the good folks over at the AutoYa info channel on YouTube have a satellite venue dubbed AutoYa Interior, and that's where all the (CGI) BMW X3 M action occurs – in Competition form. The host, as always, is busy revealing the rumors while the channel's pixel master is even more occupied because they are showcasing the hypothetical design of the 2025 or 2026 BMW X3 M from all angles – front, rear, and inside the cabin – complete with a ritzy set of exterior and interior colors, plus through a quick comparison with the current BMW X3 M.
As a reminder, the latter arrived as the F97 series comprising the X3 M and X3 M Competition models – both motivated by the 3.0-liter straight-six S58 engine for the first time when the X3 had a full M version. They are in line with the M3 and M4 siblings from the passenger car side – boasting 473 or 503 horsepower. It's entirely possible that BMW won't debut another new engine for the Ms as they approach the point of no return from the EV lifestyle, so we would love to see the all-new X3 M wave goodbye to the inline-six with the 553-hp tune from the ultra-rare modern 3.0 CSL special edition. How about you?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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