Over the next two years, BMW will introduce a number of new X vehicles, including two new generations of current BMW Sports Activity Vehicles and two new, never-before-offered X-cars. But no matter which models or when they will be launched, they all must put in their time at the Nürburgring's Nordschleife, or North Loop. The Nordschleife is where BMW tests the handling, roadholding, braking, acceleration, and other performance aspects of their vehicles. It is considered by many to be the toughest track in the world, and it’s in Germany, so why wouldn’t BMW test there?
The first of three videos captured by spy videographers shows the third-generation BMW X3, factory designation G01, which is due to go into production later this year and should be available in the U.S. in 2018. What you see in this video is the 2018 X3 in pretty close to final form. In the months to come, we expect BMW to do the pre-production strip tease, during which various pieces of camouflage will gradually come off.
The G01 X3 is expected to be up to 220 pounds lighter than its predecessor due to BMW’s use of lighter weight materials such as aluminum, high-tensile steel, and occasionally carbon fiber. Assuming the engines will be at least as strong as before, the new X3 should be quicker.
Engine choices for much of the world will include four- and six-cylinder gasoline and diesel powerplants, all turbocharged. It remains to be seen whether BMW gives us access to any diesel-powered X3s. There is currently no diesel in the 2017 X3 U.S. lineup.
What will be exciting is the anticipated X3 M, which is rumored to have the same three-liter, six-cylinder engine that makes the M3 and M4 so potent. Another never-before-seen in this series model will be a plug-in hybrid X3 with a similar powerplant setup to the X5 40e iPerformance.
If that weren’t enough, there will be one more brand new X3 model—the all-electric X3. It’s not due for a couple of years yet, but when it comes, it will join the BMW i3 as the only pure EVs offered by BMW—until the next one.
The patriarch of the X family of BMWs—or matriarch if that’s how you look at it—is the BMW X5; the first BMW Sports Activity Vehicle. For some reason—possibly to keep pace with competitors’ features and styling—BMW may be short cycling the F15 BMW X5 and bringing on its successor a year or two before the F15’s normal seven-year lifespan is completed. If that’s the case, then what you might be looking at in this next video is the 2019 BMW X5, factory designation G05.
The X5 will share the CLAR platform with the X6 and X7. The X7 will be the range-topping supersized X vehicle for which BMW built a new wing onto BMW Plant Spartanburg in which to assemble the beast.
We hope that the fourth-generation X5 comes to the U.S. market with at least the same assortment of powerplants, if not more. Six-cylinder engines of the gasoline and diesel variety and V8 gasoline mills would be nice along with the M version. There also will be another iPerformance plug-in gasoline-electric hybrid.
The X5 shown in this video may be the V8 version, judging by the sound.
Another X vehicle being tossed through the Nordschliefe’s corners appears to be the all-new, first-of-its name BMW X2 Sports Activity Coupe. This is the sportier crossover version of the very popular BMW X1, although with a slightly more rakish roofline. We saw the general look of the car previewed last year with the Concept X2 and have been looking forward to the production model ever since.
For the rest of the world, look for the X2 in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions with the same battery of powerplants as the X1. Best bet for the U.S. version is a four-cylinder, two-liter engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission sending the power through an xDrive system.
When all these plus the X7 hit the market between now and 2019, BMW will have the numbers from 1 through 7 covered with both automobiles and X vehicles. With an 8 Series Coupe probably on the way, do you suppose BMW is thinking about a coupe version of the X7 yet?—Scott Blazey
[Videos and photos courtesy of statesidesupercars.]
