[Drj161]

Originally Posted by bobloblaw

Hopefully BMW doesn’t mess this one up. The current (pre-LCI mostly) x3 is a home run design. I have faith. They can’t afford this model to fail.

Not a fan of the LCI g01. The weird smile is meh and they made it really hard to differentiate between 30, m40i, and x3m models.

[RPM33]

Originally Posted by SpeedyATL

Is it me, or does this look more like an estate/touring/wagon than an SUV? Seems to be a little shorter...maybe its just the proportions.

You are right. It does look a little like a station wagon.

[stefan4]

Originally Posted by kozzi

Like it or not, BMW considers "M Performance" vehicles M vehicles. Full blown M characteristics have been trickling down for years now.

The best news here via the X3 M50i (probably @ 485HP) is that we get the option of one more generation of full ICE engine options. I suspect therefore the X3MC will be @ 600HP and the final full ICE variant. Don't know if this will translate to the next generation M3/M4.

Nah, it will have the next gen m powertrain that will be based on the xm, phev.

But, yeah I think your looking at close to 600bhp. Love my x3mc, would definitely be interested in the nee model in a few years time.

[pr0gi]

Not that you can see much from the camo but when looking closely at the photos I feel like it will share very similar look as the new X1. Hopefully to introduce bigger battery for the plug in hybrid as the new GLC is rated at 120 km all electric range which is excellent.

[kyleb350]

Originally Posted by vincechase

Will it be m50 x3 with a v8 or some sort of m50 v6 model?

I'm pretty sure they wouldn't stick a V8 in there at this point. To get to a proper M50 power level, they might do the turbo I6 (not sure if it'll still be B58) + electric motor combo.

[mbanck]

Originally Posted by Mako

But no M mirrors

I guess the M mirrors can easily be put back in production, but they wanted to test the (presumably) final exhaust system.

Would be very weird if this M-Performance would lose the M mirrors again after all the recent ones got them.

[mbanck]

Originally Posted by kyleb350

I'm pretty sure they wouldn't stick a V8 in there at this point. To get to a proper M50 power level, they might do the turbo I6 (not sure if it'll still be B58) + electric motor combo.

But the mule doesn't have "Hybrid Test Vehicle" stickers on it, so dunno.

[Kuato2084]

These two look identical proportions wise.

[Germanauto]

Looks nice so far. X3 is currently one of their best designed vehicles. Clean classic BMW styling, although the LCI added some fussy bits.

I wonder if there will be an EV version. They really have to hop on that bandwagon to capture some Model Y customers.

[g21]

drools

[Max Well]

Looks promising. Hoping at least the G97 X3MC will come standard with a slick top (no pano or rails).

[Mako]

Originally Posted by kozzi

Like it or not, BMW considers "M Performance" vehicles M vehicles. Full blown M characteristics have been trickling down for years now.

The best news here via the X3 M50i (probably @ 485HP) is that we get the option of one more generation of full ICE engine options. I suspect therefore the X3MC will be @ 600HP and the final full ICE variant. Don't know if this will translate to the next generation M3/M4.

Highly doubt it, they aren't designing new petrol engines and I doubt BMW would push the I6 to 600 horsepower. Would be stepping on X5M toes.

50i probably 420hp if not just the 386 they have now.

[ishowerinjager]

From what I've heard the LCI x5 will get an m60 version that has the current x5m engine.

Does this mean that the x3 m50 might get something like the current s58 engine (x3m)?

The x5 m60 will be a standard x5 with only the engine and no other x5m parts.

[jphcbpa]

Hope they offer better seats for the US market

[snareman]

Originally Posted by Mako

But no M mirrors


Maybe it's just me but since I was a teen I thought part of what made M "special" was distinguishing things like the tailpipes and mirrors that non Ms didn't have.

Now BMWs all look like the range of 911s (in that a base 911 and turbo 911 hardly look any different)

BMW doesn't seem to care about distinguishing M's anymore. They are just mashing everything together. Its kinda like Oprah. You get an M! And you get an M! And you get an M!

[dr_frankfurter]

Originally Posted by SpeedyATL

Is it me, or does this look more like an estate/touring/wagon than an SUV? Seems to be a little shorter...maybe its just the proportions.

Even better. I'd love to see more SUV's blossom into wagons.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Looks like a slightly over weight & stretched G01. And quad pipes shouldn't sit on any BMW. Except the true M models...

[Dawko]

Looks more like the X1 M35i/M40i (not sure what it's going to be named)

[Young04]

Originally Posted by kozzi

Like it or not, BMW considers "M Performance" vehicles M vehicles. Full blown M characteristics have been trickling down for years now.

The best news here via the X3 M50i (probably @ 485HP) is that we get the option of one more generation of full ICE engine options. I suspect therefore the X3MC will be @ 600HP and the final full ICE variant. Don't know if this will translate to the next generation M3/M4.

I thought I read that the new M2 will be the last new M vehicle with a full ICE motor? If that is true, the new X3M will likely see some sort of electrification. Either way, I'm looking forward to it. I used to drive around a 2020 X3MC but got a G83 (my wife is driving the X3MC until her i4 M50 arrives). I love the convertible, but with two kids, I am very much missing the practicality of the X3MC.

[adc]

Nobody has said it, so I will. No giant vertical grilles FTW!!

But what is with that strange smiley concavity at the rear? It seems to be real since it shows up in the profile shot too, but to my eyes it is bizarre. Just-to-be-different styling again?

[khailuan]

Unsure about the C-pillar as it resembles the XM's which I'm not a fan of. I'll reserve judgment until I see the official pics.

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by jphcbpa

Hope they offer better seats for the US market

I think the X3 is one of the best overall medium sized SUV's on the market but I find the seats hard and there's just something about the bottom cushion and bolsters that don't agree with my hips.