We’re nearing the launch for the third-generation BMW X3, it would seem, as the middle child in the Munich automaker’s SUV stable was seen undergoing final testing in multiple locations around the world in preparation for a full unveil in June followed by showroom availability.
The new car will have the internal codename G01 and for the most part, will occupy the same amount of space on the road as well as have a similarly sized interior to the current F25 generation version.
Of course, the exterior will have more of a resemblance to the current crop of BMWs such as the G30 5 Series and G11 7 Series and could even portend some of the aesthetic themes to be possibly adopted by the much anticipated G20 3 Series that’s also expected to appear as a 2018 model.
The next X3 is also expected to be built on BMW’s new CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform that will also form the basis for pretty much every BMW model in the decade and comprise of high-strength steel, aluminium and carbon fibre reinforced polymers to create a strong and lightweight core structure.
Powering the new X3 will be a line-up of petrol and diesel engines similar to that found in the current model, starting with the B48 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot to the newer B58 turbocharged inline-six displacing 3.0-litres.
From the video here, it’s pretty clear that BMW have slotted the more sonically talented straight six motor into the X3 for the winter trials, leading some to believe that they might introduced an M performance version for the first time. While an X3 M may be a little too far fetched, though still within the realm of plausibility, a more likely outcome is ‘sub-M’ model such as the M140i hatch or M240i coupe.
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