BMW plans to officially reveal the next generation of its X3 this Monday, on June 26, but we’re guessing the memo got lost somewhere along the way in Honk Kong, as the brand’s local website posted the new model in all its glory.
Add to that extra press pictures obtained by BMW Blog and we have a crystal clear view of Munich’s luxury crossover that will go on sale later this year, very likely after its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in the fall.
The third generation X3 evolves its predecessors exterior design language with some softer and rounder edges, prettier lighting units and an even larger interpretation of BMW’s trademark double kidney grille.
We don’t have all the specs in our hands yet, but it seems that the new model has longer rear doors and quarter windows, suggesting that the wheelbase has been extended over the previous model’s 2,810mm (11.6 in).
On the inside, the X3 incorporates many of the styling and technology features seen on the new 5-Series with a digital display for the instrument panel (though, we expect this to be optional on most models) and large floating screen for the latest iDrive infotainment system on top of the dash.
Underneath the 2018 model you’ll find a revised version of BMW’s high-strength steel platform paired to a double wishbone front and multilink rear suspension, that will also form the base for the second iteration of the sportier-bodied X4 that will follow next year.
In these pictures, we get to see the X3 M40i that is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six delivering 360 horses and 500Nm (369 lb-ft) of peak torque mated to a standard eight-speed automatic turning all four wheels through BMW’s xDrive system.
According to the official spec sheet, the M Performance model hits 100km/h (62mph) in just 4.8 seconds topping out at an electronically limited 250km/h (155mph), while returning an average fuel consumption of between 8.2 and 8.4 l/100km (equal to 28.0-28.7mpg US or 33.6-34.5mpg UK).
BMW’s Hong Kong webpage also notes the X3 xDrive20d and xDrive30d diesel models. Four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline versions, including the US and Canadian market 2.0-liter xDrive30i with the same 248hp output as on the new 530i, will be added to the range.
Later on, we will see a plug-in hybrid baby brother to the X5 xDrive40e with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine, as well as the first pure M X3 sporting a version of the M3’s 3.0L straight-six with over 400 horses.
BMW X3 xDrive20d:
Fuel consumption in l/100 km (combined): 5.4–5.0
CO2 emissions in g/km (combined): 142–132
BMW X3 xDrive30d:
Fuel consumption in l/100 km (combined): 6.0–5.7
CO2 emissions in g/km (combined): 158–149
BMW X3 M40i:
Fuel consumption in l/100 km (combined): 8.4–8.2
CO2 emissions in g/km (combined): 193–188
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