BMW X3 2017

The BMW X3 has always been a popular all-rounder for everyday life. Combining versatility, efficiency, luxury, and BMW driving dynamics, it’s no wonder that it sells so well. Just refreshed for the 2015 model year, the model enjoys subtle styling upgrades to mimic the freshest BMW designs. Also, a new four-cylinder diesel joined the lineup. However, a full redesign is expected for the 2017 model year. This redesign will entail upgraded power, a new modular design which should improve interior space and comfort, and the latest BMW technology. A plug-in hybrid is also in the works.The most exciting news, however, is the announcement that the X5 M and X6 M have a little brother on the way.

While the current 2015 X3 easily meets most peoples’ needs, expect the 2017 version to go above and beyond. According to the German publication Autobild, BMW wants to make sure that they cover all possible grounds with the redesign, so in addition to the current, versatile model lineup now, look for an M-Performance model likely dubbed the X3M40i, with a 3.0-liter inline six producing upwards of 340 horsepower.

Do not confuse this with an official M car — but don’t worry; sources hint at an all-out X3 M likely due sometime after that, sharing the new screamer-of-a-mill S55 engine, good for the at least the 425 horsepower it currently provides in the new M3 and M4. We speculate upwards of 450 ponies for the 2017 X3. Expect a 15-horsepower increase in both of the the non-M gasoline models offered in the U.S.

Updated 03/08/2016: Based on the recent spy shots and rumors we created a rendering for the upcoming BMW X3. Let us know in the comments section below what do you think about it.Exterior

Now that we’ve seen the spy shots, we’ve put together a rendering of what the new X3 will probably look like. In comparison to the current X3, the new model will be more of a refining or “fine tune,” if you will. Up front, it wouldn’t be a Bimmer without the kidney grilles, so those obviously remain. They will likely be just a tad bit larger. As for the headlights, we expect similar units, but these will be a little different beyond the lens. Instead of broken halo’s around the headlight bulbs, these units have halo’s that are more like a backward “C.” The running light LED strip no runs from the outside corner, under the bulbs, terminating at the lower, inboard point. The round fog lights will carry over, but the small cutout below the kidney grilles will only be about half as tall as that of the current model. Down below the air dam takes on the same overall shape, but a horizontal louver runs from one side to the other. The corner vents are a bit shorter, and the same shape, but now feature a body colored insert at the top.

The round fog lights will carry over, but the small cutout below the kidney grilles will only be about half as tall as that of the current model

To the sides, the body lines have been meddled with a bit. Instead of the upper body line curving down at the front wheel arch, it simply runs straight from the fender back. It is a little more defined and a bit sharper than on the current model. Down below the crease in the center of the doors has been made sharper. The body line at the bottom of the doors has taken on a mirrored effect and pops out from the body in a 3D manner as opposed to the way it sinks in on the current model. The cladding on the doors looks to be about the same, but it may be slightly bigger on the new X3. Dual-five-spoke wheels like those seen in our rendering will probably be the standard rollers offered on the X3.

As is the case with most of our renderings, we don’t have a view of the rear. So, looking at the spy shots, we see some minor changes that will probably make their way to the X3 in production form. The body lines on the rear hatch appear to have been toned down a bit as well, with only a small lip protruding from the bottom of the rear window. The rear fascia looks like it will only see minor changes – I do see a small indent in the camo in the middle, so I suspect we’ll see some kind of insert there. As we can see from the spy shots, this particular model has dual exhaust. The roof looks to be fitted with a moonroof that is likely large enough to provide a view of the sky for both front and rear passengers.

Interior

We’ve finally gotten a look at the interior of the new X3 but, unfortunately, we still can’t make out all that much because just about everything is covered. That said, what we can see does lend us a small look into the future. Compared to the current model, we can see that the mule has a different steering wheel that has a longer bottom spoke. The steering wheel also features silver buttons and a silver insert over the bottom spoke. The instrument cluster is recessed into the day. Most of the instrument cover is covered up, but we can make out that it is a digital instrument cluster with a digital speedo on the left and a digital tachometer on the right.

Most of the center console looks to be the same, but the shifter handle is more refined and has a chrome overlay on one side. There also appears to be a gray trim insert around the control knob to the side of the shifter. It also looks like the cup holders and the shifter have been moved back just a little bit. There is still a control panel above the cup holders – for controlling the HVAC and infotainment system, but the center stack has changed overall. There are still two center vents below the infotainment screen, but that screen isn’t recessed into the dash anymore. It is now a free standing unit that elevates out of the top of the center stack. The screen also looks to be a bit larger in the test mule.

Undoubtedly, there will be other changes inside the cabin as well, but the instrument cluster and infotainment systeExterior  Now that we’ve seen the spy shots, we’ve put together a rendering of what the new X3 will probably look like. In comparison to the current X3, the new model will be more of a refining or “fine tune,” if you will. Up front, it wouldn’t be a Bimmer without the kidney grilles, so those obviously remain. They will likely be just a tad bit larger. As for the headlights, we expect similar units, but these will be a little different beyond the lens. Instead of broken halo’s around the headlight bulbs, these units have halo’s that are more like a backward “C.” The running light LED strip no runs from the outside corner, under the bulbs, terminating at the lower, inboard point. The round fog lights will carry over, but the small cutout below the kidney grilles will only be about half as tall as that of the current model. Down below the air dam takes on the same overall shape, but a horizontal louver runs from one side to the other. The corner vents are a bit shorter, and the same shape, but now feature a body colored insert at the top.  The round fog lights will carry over, but the small cutout below the kidney grilles will only be about half as tall as that of the current model  To the sides, the body lines have been meddled with a bit. Instead of the upper body line curving down at the front wheel arch, it simply runs straight from the fender back. It is a little more defined and a bit sharper than on the current model. Down below the crease in the center of the doors has been made sharper. The body line at the bottom of the doors has taken on a mirrored effect and pops out from the body in a 3D manner as opposed to the way it sinks in on the current model. The cladding on the doors looks to be about the same, but it may be slightly bigger on the new X3. Dual-five-spoke wheels like those seen in our rendering will probably be the standard rollers offered on the X3.  As is the case with most of our renderings, we don’t have a view of the rear. So, looking at the spy shots, we see some minor changes that will probably make their way to the X3 in production form. The body lines on the rear hatch appear to have been toned down a bit as well, with only a small lip protruding from the bottom of the rear window. The rear fascia looks like it will only see minor changes – I do see a small indent in the camo in the middle, so I suspect we’ll see some kind of insert there. As we can see from the spy shots, this particular model has dual exhaust. The roof looks to be fitted with a moonroof that is likely large enough to provide a view of the sky for both front and rear passengers.  Interior  We’ve finally gotten a look at the interior of the new X3 but, unfortunately, we still can’t make out all that much because just about everything is covered. That said, what we can see does lend us a small look into the future. Compared to the current model, we can see that the mule has a different steering wheel that has a longer bottom spoke. The steering wheel also features silver buttons and a silver insert over the bottom spoke. The instrument cluster is recessed into the day. Most of the instrument cover is covered up, but we can make out that it is a digital instrument cluster with a digital speedo on the left and a digital tachometer on the right.  Most of the center console looks to be the same, but the shifter handle is more refined and has a chrome overlay on one side. There also appears to be a gray trim insert around the control knob to the side of the shifter. It also looks like the cup holders and the shifter have been moved back just a little bit. There is still a control panel above the cup holders – for controlling the HVAC and infotainment system, but the center stack has changed overall. There are still two center vents below the infotainment screen, but that screen isn’t recessed into the dash anymore. It is now a free standing unit that elevates out of the top of the center stack. The screen also looks to be a bit larger in the test mule.  Undoubtedly, there will be other changes inside the cabin as well, but the instrument cluster and infotainment syste