[Mark]

Here it is! Not much to see yet, but its nice to see the general dimensions have remained the same..

[Bimmer Nerd]

its weird/funny how a "tow truck" is transporting x6 and x3 in the 3rd image maybe they are trying to combine the two in some way ?

[pierrepiac]

Originally Posted by vonsazkin

You know if the new X3 turns out to be as ugly as the current one, they might as well sell it with the camo on.

agree. X3 probably has the worst design in the BMW line-up. and i dont understand the 4-seater X6 either. it's a great looking car but for the price of it and the mileage that comes along....sigh.

[BigT]

Originally Posted by pierrepiac

agree. X3 probably has the worst design in the BMW line-up. and i dont understand the 4-seater X6 either. it's a great looking car but for the price of it and the mileage that comes along....sigh.

My speech too!

Current X3 looks like a failed E36 based concept (nothing against E36...).

X6 is a stunning beauty, regardless of its oversize (in European view)

[chuck92103]

Originally Posted by pierrepiac

agree. X3 probably has the worst design in the BMW line-up. and i dont understand the 4-seater X6 either. it's a great looking car but for the price of it and the mileage that comes along....sigh.

M3 gets worse mileage than an X6 and has less utility. It depends on your needs I guess. One thing the X6 offers over the X3 or 3 series in general is a very smooth ride.

[chuck92103]

Originally Posted by vonsazkin

The X6 is a very distinctive looking vehicle. I have sat and driven it once at a BMW event and fell in love with it. It may not be as practical as an X5 or X3, but that depends on your needs.

As for mileage, Top Gear compared the Prius with an M3 at regular speeds around their track and the M3 gave some 19 mpg compared to 17 mpg for the Prius. It depends on a person's driving habits. Moreover, they claimed the nickel batteries they put in the Prius cause enough damage to the environment in their production to negate the positive effects of this car.

Here's a link to that video:

I saw that episode. Hysterical.

[MN BMW]

In my latest issue of Roundel, it shows an X1 unveiled at the Paris Motor show. It has the same Whale shark nose as the ugly new 7er

If the new X3 ends up looking like that, count me out.

[Deda]

nice pics!

[slipknot]

what a boring car.......boooooooring

[MN BMW]

IMO a baby X5 would be nice!

[Zirenz2006]

everyone's a critic

[DM1]

When is the new X3 due?

[jo-e90]

Here is a possibility

[Mii]

Not quite at the FEP stage, some more spy shots with cladding. Partial exposure of lower bumper and rocker panel. source

[red-sauerkraut]

They had better hurry up,,, or more than a few people are going to jump ship, and go with another brands offering.

[Mii]

BMW seemed to be really slow on the X3 development front, almost as it emphasized more on X1 than X3! Many people already jumped ship due to lack of refreshment from X3. It's not a good idea to make the next X3 bigger toward the size of previous gen X5 (E53). Most people would want stylish, dynamic, powerful yet fuel efficient X3 models.

Here are some more shots from Death Valley California. Still not FEP apparently!

[red-sauerkraut]

Thanks for the photos!!!

They had better get this to market by spring, and extend my lease if they want to keep me as a X-Car customer. The Q5 is now on the hot list for a replacement.

[Mii]

Third brake light on tailgate spoiler is more visible on these shots.

[red-sauerkraut]

This is one car BMW is going to start loosing the market on, if they have not already.

"Gehen wir"

[red-sauerkraut]

BTW the AUDI Q5 drives nice, but somewhat like a rolling couch. The Q5 engine is nothing like the x3, but considering X3 the replacement is months away, I'm not sure what the heck to do.

[Mii]

BMW needs to seriously focus on X3 as Q5 is a very good contender.

WCF

This X3 has been spotted, wearing the usual funky BMW camouflage, doing some late-development, high-speed testing at the Nurburgring circuit in Germany.

Beyond the pics, though, there isn't much news. The next-generation X3 is expected to arrive sometime next year (2010). New will be a more fleshed out design and as well as touches like aggressive-looking air intakes to make the X3 appear more muscular.

Under the front bonnet will be a standard-issue series of BMW power plants. Likely, there will be two petrol engines - the naturally-aspirated 3.0 liter, in-line 6-cylinder with 230 horses and perhaps BMW's new 3.0 liter, twin-turbo, in-line 6-cylinder with over 300 hp.

On the diesel side, there will be more options, ranging from the 177 hp 2.0 liter oil-burner to a high-powered variant of the 3.0 liter 'd' that closes in on 300 horses.

With BMW having already done its winter testing in Northern Europe and hot-weather trials in the deserts of California, this maximum velocity testing may mean the X3 is in the latter days of its development. We may even get to see an undisguised X3 before the end of the year.

[red-sauerkraut]

Nice...I can't wait.

Should be arriving this spring.