Posted on Tuesday 6 May 2008
The current BMW X3 will have to soldier on for a few more years until the arrival of an all-new model at the end of the decade. These latest spy shots of a suspicious 3-series wagon with a much taller ride-height than the standard model are believed to be of the prototype for the new X3, taken as the car was undergoing high-speed testing at the Nurburgring.
The new X3’s dimensions will hardly change compared with the current car and its styling will be shaped to reflect elements from the CS Concept. The basic shape will remain much the same, however the new model is expected to feature a more prominent grille plus new wraparound headlights. Designers will also focus on improving the quality of the interior, as the new X3 will be facing stiff competition from the recently unveiled new Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLK.
Production of the X3 will be moved to BMW’s Spartanburg plant in the U.S. where it will be built alongside the new X6 and X5. Expect to see the twin-turbo 3.0L from the 335i make its way into the X3 range as well as the powerful but frugal new 204hp 2.0L turbodiesel. A new hybrid model is also tipped to be on the table.
wow that is ugy
It says in the article this car will face stiff competition from the audi q5, the audi is going to kill the X3, why dont they style it more like the X5 so it doesnt look so ugly.
Ummmm… since Audi has not built a vehicle in this segment yet and BMW invented the premium small SUV. I don’t know how you could come up with such a bold statement.
BMW consistanly owns Audi in the performance and drivability aspect, I just have to disagree.
Plus look around those X3s are everywhere despite being ugly.
That is just 2 categories performance and driveabiliy, audi owns bmw with interior, and of late in styling, CLEARLY with this prototype. Ive ownded bmw and audis and both are great. But I agree with bradley the new audi is going to beat the x3 when they are both released guaranteed. Look at the styling it is almost like night and day audi’s Q5 is way better.
Im a bmw fanatic, but the X3 is an eye sore for BMW, and by these prototypes it isnt improving. The Q5 looks like a greatly styled vehicle in this segment. Im not sure about the glk it looks weird
notch one up for the Audi Q5 after seeing these prototypes…
The X3 is dog aweful, and the funniest thing is, when you spec the X3 to a level that befits a BMW you are already into the X5 range in price with comparable trims…i know which one i would prefer !
Well, there is no Audi that will have that amazing 3.0 ltr twin turbo motor.
Performance and drivability may only be two factors, but they are big factors. Audi has great interiors, I’ve owned one.
BMW just gets the little nuances that great driving cars have. The steering feel, the brake feel, the balance…..don’t forget the balance. BMWs are always the best balanced, Audis are always a little front heavy.
Besides….no one knows what the styling will be, this is just a chassis tester with a 3 wagon on it.
Go ahead an buy your Audis, that’s why we have choices.
That is not what the X3 igonna look like. The X3 bodywork isnt even on that car. If you look they have used the 5 series estate as the body for it. dumbasses. the X3 engine and all that crap are underneath it,
Sonic is right, this is just a mule (though the external panels come from the 3 Series Touring).
The first-gen X3 and X5 were terribly ugly. The X5’s only fault regarding design is its size. So BMW just has to shink the X5, add some details fom the CS and reduce its weight. Since they have a little more experience with off-roaders then Audi, BMW must take the chance of producing the perfect D-segment performance off-roader.
Man those rims/wheels are hot on the silver one, i hope those come standard.