Official 2018 BMW X3 Photos Leaked Prematurely
BMW wasn’t supposed to issue the global reveal of the new X3 until next week, but it seems its official website in Hong Kong didn’t get the memo. Product details and photos have appeared a few days earlier than expected.
While easily recognizable as an X3, the updated SUV’s more sinister headlamps and gaping air inlets service a more aggressive forward appearance. However, the profile and overall shape has changed very little. With the exception of some gentle buffing of the bodywork, to smooth down the sharper edges and altered taillights, BMW doesn’t appear to have changed much on the exterior.
Initially noticed by CarScoops, the Hong Kong images are identical to those leaked in France over the weekend. Everything is pointing to it using the company’s new CLAR platform to host a series of powertrain options. For launch, most of the world will receive engine options which include turbocharged four and six-cylinder engines — sized at 2.0 and 3.0 liters, respectively. An eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive will come as standard, while BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system will be offered for an additional fee.
Since BMW’s M division has to influence every single model the automaker is considering, the X3 will arrive with an M variant at launch. Hong Kong says that will come in the form of the M40i as the SUV’s top tier trim. Using the inline-six, the rumor mill places its specs at 360 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque — substantially stronger than the previous generation. According to the official website those figures yield it a 4.8 second 0 to 62 mph time and 155mph top speed. Converting from metric units, BMW says that will be good for between 28 and 29 miles per gallon.
Based on talk from Germany, we’re almost assured to see a hybridized powerplant in the future and possibly a genuine M Sport model with even more horsepower than the M40i. Hong Kong also specified two diesel trims that may or, more likely, may not make it to North America.
We’ll know more tomorrow. Until then, feel free to ogle or compare the third generation X3’s updated look against the previous incarnation.
[Images: BMW]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Talk about yawn-inducing. Add any more styling cues and they'll be approaching Chrysler Sebring territory.
Looks like an X1 hooked up to a helium tank for an extra few minutes. The 'different size sausage' car design worked when design was better - late 90's 3, 5, 7 series for example.