BMW is letting the prototype 2017 G01 X3 out to play in the snow. As these spy shots show, the extensive camouflage hides much of the vehicle’s styling details, but there is enough there to tantalize.
It’s obvious the next X3 will be an evolutionary design, which is BMW’s usual approach to styling. The typical covered headlights and substitute taillights don’t reveal anything, but lighting technology is moving so quickly, that’s probably a good thing. For example, we don’t know when the OLED rear lighting that is showing up on the next 7 Series will eventually trickle down to other models but sooner or later, it probably will.
The disguised kidney grilles appear to be wider and lower. The dual exhausts are also a good start.
We expect the X3 will continue to be offered only in all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive, unlike the X1, which will move to a front-wheel drive platform next time around.
Powerplants are expected to include two-liter, four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines as well as three-liter, six-cylinder motors of both types, all turbocharged. There is a rumor that BMW M will release an X3 M to join the X5 M and X6 M, and that an X3 M could share engines with the M3 and M4. If there is rampant model proliferation in every other BMW series, why not in the M division as well?
BMW has promised a plug-in hybrid version of practically every model, so we expect the G01 X3 eventually will sport an electrical socket somewhere. If BMW decides to stick the same powertrain in the X3 that it is putting in the X5 xDrive40e, the hybrid X3 will probably get great mileage and scoot along quickly, given that it is lighter than the X5.
The X3 seen in the spy photos appears to be a gasoline-powered version, based on the exposed fuel filler compartment with room for, but lacking, a diesel exhaust fluid port. We don’t see an access cover on the left front fender, so we don’t think that this particular vehicle is a hybrid.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of SB Median via autoevolution.com.]
