Motor Authority - blog Category: X3-Series

The current BMW X3 will have to soldier on for just over a year more until the arrival of an all-new model, previewed here in this computer-generated rendering.

Recent spy shots of BMW's next-generation X3 prototype indicate the company may be moving the crossover's development forward to match the competition. With the release of the newer Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLK, BMW will almost certainly be a little a worried about losing its leadership position.

The rendering shows a car with completely finished headlights and tail lights, slightly expanded dimensions for added interior space and styling borrowed from the recently revealed X1...

The current BMW X3 will have to soldier on for just over a year more until the arrival of an all-new model, previewed here in this computer-generated rendering. Recent spy shots of BMW's next-generation X3 prototype indicate the company may be moving the crossover's development forward to match the competition. With the release of the newer Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLK, BMW will almost certainly be a little a worried about losing its leadership position. The rendering shows a car with completely finished headlights and tail lights, slightly expanded dimensions for added interior space and styling borrowed from the recently revealed X1 compact SUV. In addition to the revamped exterior, a full array of gadgets and features are expected to be available for the X3 to help keep its edge against Audi and Mercedes-Benz. It’s even possible that BMW could make the night-vision heads-up display currently found in the X6 and other models available on the X3. Bi-xenon headlights with around-corner capability and new seats that feature massage functions and ventilation are also expected for the new model. Engines will remain largely the same, with a choice of four diesels ranging from 177 to 300-horsepower for Europe, and most markets, including the U.S., getting the option of two gasoline engines rated at 231-horsepower and 306-horsepower. A new hybrid model is also tipped to be on the table, though specifications are still forthcoming. The new X3 is expected to appear in showrooms in the second half of next year as a 2011 model, joining the smaller X1 crossover as well. Read More

 

New spy shots of BMW's next-generation X3 prototype indicate the company may be moving the crossover's development forward to match the competition. Previous reports had indicated that the current BMW X3 would have to soldier on for a few more years until the arrival of an all-new model at the end of the decade. However, with the release of the new Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLK, BMW is worried about losing its leadership position.

The latest spy images show a car with completely finished headlights and tail lights, slightly expanded dimensions for added interior space and more X5-like styling. Bringing in the X5 resemblance could also be a...

  New spy shots of BMW's next-generation X3 prototype indicate the company may be moving the crossover's development forward to match the competition. Previous reports had indicated that the current BMW X3 would have to soldier on for a few more years until the arrival of an all-new model at the end of the decade. However, with the release of the new Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLK, BMW is worried about losing its leadership position. The latest spy images show a car with completely finished headlights and tail lights, slightly expanded dimensions for added interior space and more X5-like styling. Bringing in the X5 resemblance could also be a calculated move to help some of the new X5 M model's cachet rub off on the smaller sibling. In addition to the revamped exterior, a full array of gadgets and features are expected to be available for the X3 to help keep its edge against Audi and Mercedes. It’s even possible that BMW could make the night-vision heads-up display currently found in the X6 and other models available on the X3. Bi-xenon headlights with around-corner capability and new seats that feature massage functions and ventilation are also expected for the new model. Engines will remain largely the same, with a choice of four diesels ranging from 177 to 300-horsepower for Europe, and most markets, including the U.S., getting the option of two gasoline engines rated at 231-horsepower and 306-horsepower. A new hybrid model is also tipped to be on the table, though specifications are still forthcoming. The new X3 is expected to appear in showrooms in the second half of next year as a 2011 model, joining the smaller X1 crossover, which you can read about by clicking here. Read More

New spy shots of BMW's latest X3 prototype indicate the company may be moving the crossover's development forward to match the competition. Previous reports had indicated that the current BMW X3 would have to soldier on for a few more years until the arrival of an all-new model at the end of the decade. However, with the release of the new Audi Q5 and Mercedes Benz GLK, BMW is worried about losing its leadership position.

The latest spy images show a car with completely finished headlights and tail lights, slightly expanded dimensions for added interior space and more X5-like styling. Bringing in the X5 resemblance could also be a... New spy shots of BMW's latest X3 prototype indicate the company may be moving the crossover's development forward to match the competition. Previous reports had indicated that the current BMW X3 would have to soldier on for a few more years until the arrival of an all-new model at the end of the decade. However, with the release of the new Audi Q5 and Mercedes Benz GLK, BMW is worried about losing its leadership position. The latest spy images show a car with completely finished headlights and tail lights, slightly expanded dimensions for added interior space and more X5-like styling. Bringing in the X5 resemblance could also be a calculated move to help some of the new X5 M model's cachet rub off on the smaller sibling. In addition to the revamped exterior, a full array of gadgets and features are expected to be available for the X3 to help keep its edge against Audi and Mercedes. It’s even possible that BMW could make the night-vision heads-up display currently found in the X6 and other models available on the X3. Bi-xenon headlights with around-corner capability and new seats that feature massage functions and ventilation are also expected for the new model. Engines will remain largely the same, with a choice of four diesels ranging from 177hp (132kW) to 299hp (223kW), and most markets getting the option of two petrol engines rated at 231hp (172kW) and 306hp (228kW). A new hybrid model is also tipped to be on the table, though specifications are still forthcoming. The new X3 is expected to appear in showrooms in the second half of next year as a 2011 model, joining the smaller X1 crossover, which you can read about by clicking here.2011 BMW X3 SUV spy shots2010 BMW X3 Preview Read More

BMW's X3 is often derided as a poor man's X5, a comparison that will become much more credible once the next-generation model rolls in early next year. The new model will be almost as big as the original X5 and better equipped, but thanks to increased competition in the small SUV segment pricing will remain similar to the current X3.

This increase in size and a greater range of equipment means the 2010 BMW X3 will be moving upmarket but its prices will hover at their current levels to stave off competition from the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes Benz GLK, both of which undercut the current X3 by around $2,000 and $6,000 respectively.

That means... BMW's X3 is often derided as a poor man's X5, a comparison that will become much more credible once the next-generation model rolls in early next year. The new model will be almost as big as the original X5 and better equipped, but thanks to increased competition in the small SUV segment pricing will remain similar to the current X3. This increase in size and a greater range of equipment means the 2010 BMW X3 will be moving upmarket but its prices will hover at their current levels to stave off competition from the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes Benz GLK, both of which undercut the current X3 by around $2,000 and $6,000 respectively. That means the new X3 will likely be priced no higher than the $40,525 sticker for the current model. The GLK, meanwhile, starts at $34,775, while the Q5 quattro starts at $38,025. The information comes from BMW’s U.S. chief, Jim O'Donnell, who told Automotive News that cost savings will be made from building the X3 at the Spartanburg plant in South Caroline rather than importing it from Europe as is the practice with the current model Even with more features and no price hikes, BMW is still remaining realistic about the vehicle’s sales performance. Last year, the company sold close to 18,000 X3 SUVs, but this year sales are barely expected to reach one-third of that figure.2011 BMW X3 SUV spy shots2010 BMW X3 Preview Read More