Audi BMW

The second generation BMW X3 was unveiled earlier this week and as expected, BMW opted for an evolutionary design of the midsize premium Sports Activity Vehicle. As with any new model, opinions are split, while some of the BMW consumers embraced the visual changes, and especially the technology features, there are others that voiced their opinion in a less positive way.

Our first comparison involved the top three most popular vehicles within the previously mentioned segment, the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLK, and of course, the X3. Again, somewhat expected on a BMW related website, the poll shows the new X3 as the winner, but the overall comments revealed a very close race with the Q5.

Moving away from the normal comparison among usual competitors, we decided to place the two X3 generations side-by-side, in an attempt to better see the visual changes and enhancements.

And the first thing that stands out is the increased dimensions of the F25 model. Compared to its predecessor the new X3 is a half-inch (12mm) taller, 3.36-inches (83mm) longer, 1.1-inches (28mm) wider, and features a half-inch (12mm) more ground clearance. It rides on a wheelbase which is 0.6-inches (15mm) longer, at 110.6 inches (2810mm).

This brings the 2011 BMW X3 close to the size of the first generation BMW X5, and automatically moves up a class, leaving the entry level segment to the BMW X1.

The front-end design is far more aggressive on the new X3, with larger air intakes and dominating front-bumper. The front-fascia is more sculpted, with more creases running through and plenty of concave and convex shapes. The “kidneys” are also wider and taller than in the previous design, and this approach aligns the new X3 with the rest of recently unveiled BMW models.

Most likely due to the increased safety regulations and size of the car, the 2011 X3 sports larger mirrors.

The hood design is a derivative from the X1 and even the 5 Series models, with a very aggressive V-shape design, far more sculpted into the metal, giving the car that “mean” look some were craving for.

While the front-end changes are not easily noticeable from distance, the rear-end design cues make the F25 X3 far more distinctive. From the redesigned LED taillights, and the “sloping” roof, to the rear-bumper and tailgate, the 2011 BMW X3 becomes more visually appealing than its predecessor.

Inside, in our opinion, the interior design has been taken a few notches up the quality and aesthetics ladder. BMW’s latest interior designs sent some of their cues to the new X3 as well, including among others a driver-oriented dashboard, higher-quality materials and trim, built-in 8.8 inc LCD screen and new instrument clusters.

A voting contest between the two will certainly give the new X3 a comfortable win, so we are taking a different approach by posing the following question: has BMW given their best with this new model or were the expectations higher than the offering? In other words, could BMW have done better?

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

[Photo editing: BimmerToday ]

Based on the latest inside information, BMW is on the last turn before the unveiling of the new BMW X3. The second generation of the midsize Sports Activity Vehicle has been one of the spied BMW models in the past year.

The restless Palbay manages to capture again a slightly camouflaged X3 prototype being driven near the Spartanburg plant in South Carolina.

Built on a new platform, F25, similar to the one underpinning the next generation 3 Series, the new X3 grew in size 8 centimeters long, 3 cm wide and 1.2 cm in height. The wheelbase was also extended by 9 cm. By sharing several components with both the 3 Series and 5 Series, the F25 X3 takes advantage of some cost savings.

As expected, the interior luxury level has been raised a notch and combines design cues from the new 5 Series and from the other X-models. In the center, we have the large display and below the air vents and control buttons.

Inside, the new X3 sports noticeably higher quality dashboard and trim materials than its predecessor – something BMW admits was necessary given the increased competition the segment. The instruments and switchgear are of a level comparable to those found in the new 5 Series.

The current X3 will cease production at the Austrian Graz plant in late July, and the new model will be built exclusively at the Spartanburg, SC plant, with an initial capacity of 160,000 units per year that can reach 250,000.

[Photos: Palbay ]

With just days left before its official unveiling, the new BMW X3 shows up in some online teasers again. Official test drives of pre-production vehicles have already taken place in the past weeks, but the interior design continued to be camouflaged.

Courtesy of bmw.com (password: JoyX3), we have a first sketch of what the new interior design looks like.

As expected, the interior luxury level has been raised a notch and combines design cues from the new 5 Series and from the other X-models. In the center, we have the large display and below the air vents and control buttons.

On the center console, we have the new automatic transmission lever and the latest version of the iDrive system.

The new BMW X3 continues to offer the option of a panoramic glass roof, similar to the one found in the 5 Series GT.

For more details and information, tune in next week.

After the recent media test drives of pre-production 2011 X3s, BMW released new photos of the second generation compact SAV. Sporting the same light, but effective camo, the pre-production vehicles went through extensive driving around Munich.

Built on a new platform, F25, similar to the one underpinning the next generation 3 Series, the new X3 grew in size 8 centimeters long, 3 cm wide and 1.2 cm in height. The wheelbase was also extended by 9 cm. By sharing several components with both the 3 Series and 5 Series, the F25 X3 takes advantage of some cost savings.

Inside, the new X3 sports noticeably higher quality dashboard and trim materials than its predecessor – something BMW admits was necessary given the increased competition the segment. The instruments and switchgear are of a level comparable to those found in the new 5 Series.

The driving experience has also changed when compared to the previous and first generation model. The new X3 is considerably stiffer than the outgoing model and the additional structural rigidity was immediately noticeable by journalists on their rural backroads drive. According to Kilometer Magazine, the setup is essentially the same as the current 3 Series wagon with xDrive — MacPherson struts up front, multi-link in the rear — but geometrically optimized and tuned specifically for Sport Activity duty.

For its part, the chassis has three levels of adaptive functions (Normal, Sport and Sport +); that selection acts on the damping firmness, hardness and the immediacy of throttle response.

The current X3 will cease production at the Austrian Graz plant in late July, and the new model will be built exclusively at the Spartanburg, SC plant, with an initial capacity of 160,000 units per year that can reach 250,000.

These are most likely the last spy photos of the second generation BMW X3. The official press release and photos are days away, and we will have a chance to see the new X3 fully unveiled. The mid Premium SAV has recently entered the final evaluation phase and several prototypes are being tested on U.S. soil. While the first generation X3 was assembled in Austria by Magna Steyr automaker, the new F25 model joins the X-family at their Spartanburg plant in South Carolina.

The F25 X3 also previews the next generation 3 Series platform, and in the X3, it measures 15.15 feet in length, two inches longer than the current model.

Design wise, the 2011 BMW X3 was rumored to be moving from the “boxy” shape and sharp corners to more rounded design lines and a sleeker look. Judging by this spy photo, the car still seems to maintain some of these “boxy” lines, but at overall dimensions closer to the first generation X5.

The “kicked-up” window line that first saw the daylight in the X3 will be again evident and it will be seen as an X3 characteristic, a design element that will be associated with the model. While sitting higher than the X1, the new X3 seems to have inherited some of the features from the new entry-level compact SAV, mostly around the front-fascia.

With new competition from Audi Q5 and the latest Mercedes GLK, BMW needs a winner on their hands, and the hopes are high for the new X3. In 2004, U.S. sales accounted for 34,604 units, but in the following years X3 sales have dropped to a fraction of that. While the recession can easily be blamed for last year’s dismal sales performance (just 6,067 X3s were sold in the U.S. last year), even 2008 proved problematic; as BMW struggled to move just 17,622 of the entry level SUVs into garages across America.

In the U.S.,  BMW will bring the xDrive28i and xDrive35i models, along with a diesel model, xDrive35d.

The new BMW X3 goes on sale in December of this year.

Photos copyright Palbay

The talented BMW exterior designer, Erik Goplen, the same very guy who designed the iconic E46 3 Series, is back in action with the new F25 BMW X3. Same as the first generation X3, the new 2011 BMW X3 is a product design of the famous BMW DesignworksUSA shop in California.

The American designer, working as a creative director for DesignworksUSA, also designed the BMW E46 3 series, one of the most popular and highly appreciated 3 Series to date. Goplen is an avid classic car collector – he owns 1969 De Tomaso Mangusta; and in one of his interviews he said: “We have a design heritage to maintain”.

Clearly a very passionate and talented designer, and we are glad to see him back in the game.

According to our sources, the new F25 BMW X3’s exterior design was done in DesignWorksUSA, while the interior is a Munich-creation by Ulrich Ströhle.

The new X3 is just days away from its unveiling and the first teaser photos hit the web yesterday. The second generation X3 brings out an evolutionary design, rather than the revolutionary one expected by some customers.  The F25 X3 maintains its somewhat boxy look, but offers more rounded corners than the first generation.

Underneath the surface is where the customers will see and experience the changes. The  second generation is all about ”reverse engineering” the previous E83 X3, and BMW considered all the positive and negative feedback received from the previous model.  The new model is more refined and will offer an impressive list of options.

The 2011 BMW X3 goes on sale late this year in Europe, while North American sales will commence in 2011.

BMW E46 3 Series Sketches

Due to launch by the end of this month, the new and second generation BMW X3 breaks cover. The images were posted on the Dutch version of the BMW website, but we are not sure whether they serve as a teaser or simply a webmaster mistake.

While the entire body is yet to be revealed, for the first time, we can see the bonnet and the rear lights of the new BMW X3 completely unmasked. These images seem to come from the design development process and they outline some of the characteristics of the new F25 X3.

The rear lights are clearly identifiable as an evolution of the current tail lights and make the X3 very distinctive. Similar to the BMW X5, the predominantly red light units are interrupted by thin white stripes. The taillights feature the same LEDs as seen on the new BMWs, a common trait in the BMW line-up.

First official photos can’t be too far and as always, we will give you the best coverage of the new X3.

[Source: BimmerToday ]

According to our sources, BMW is less than two weeks away from unveiling their latest and second generation BMW X3. Built under the codename F25, the 2011 BMW X3 runs on the next generation 3 Series platform. The video below was captured in Munich by one of those BMW fans that understand and recognize a camouflaged prototype, and decided a call the bomb squad might not be appropriate at this time.

In a conversation recently with a BMW official, we learned that the new X3 will maintain its “boxy look”, but it will have more fluid design lines and increased design dynamics. The now usual convex and concave shapes will appear on the new X3 as well, including the more aggressive hood, as seen in the other new models.

The headlights will feature an unique design, with the double lamps sporting a more rectangular shape.

With sales dropping to just 6,067 X3s in the U.S. last year, BMW is looking to regain its status in the mid-SUV market where the competition from Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLK has been fierce.

The 2011 X3, it measures 15.15 feet in length, two inches longer than the current model. The “kicked-up” window line that first saw the daylight in the X3 will be again evident and it will be seen as an X3 characteristic.

For the North American market, BMW will bring the xDrive28i and xDrive35i models.

In a breaking news article, Autoblog reports that a BMW X3 prototype wearing the now famous psychedelic triggered a bomb scare and the resulting evacuation of several blocks along Central Park West near the American Museum of Natural History on Sunday afternoon in New York City.

While the story has yet to be confirmed by BMW, we will give you the details as related by Autoblog with the mention that we are working on getting an official reply from BMW North America. Edit: Confirmed by BMWNA.

A 2011 BMW X3 prototype was currently tested by BMW in the Big Apple and the car was briefly left running while parked. A woman walking her dog rightly thought the vehicle looked suspicious, most likely due to the funky camouflage, and alerted the police.

Police responded to investigate, and after clearing the area of bystanders, found no reason for alarm. Everyone was safe, although the back window of the X3 prototype was apparently shattered in the process.

[Photos: "Yaz" at Germancarforum ]

By the end of this month, BMW will unveil the second generation of their mid-compact Sports Activity Vehicle: BMW X3. Not an exciting model when compared to the recently unveiled 5 Series or Gran Coupe Concept, but the X3 continues to play an important role in BMW’s strategy and plans for the premium compact SUV/SAV market.

In 2004, U.S. sales accounted for 34,604 units, but in the following years X3 sales have dropped to a fraction of that. While the recession can easily be blamed for last year’s dismal sales performance (just 6,067 X3s were sold in the U.S. last year), even 2008 proved problematic; as BMW struggled to move just 17,622 of the entry level SUVs into garages across America.

With new competition from Audi Q5 and the latest Mercedes GLK, BMW needs a winner on their hands, especially a strong contender that cannot only retain its current customers, but more important, gain new ones.

The mid Premium SAV has recently entered the final evaluation phase and several prototypes are being tested on U.S. soil. While the first generation X3 was assembled in Austria by Magna Steyr automaker, the new F25 model joins the X-family at their Spartanburg plant in South Carolina where the spy photo above was snapped.

The F25 X3 also previews the next generation 3 Series platform, and in the X3, it measures 15.15 feet in length, two inches longer than the current model.

Design wise, the 2011 BMW X3 was rumored to be moving from the “boxy” shape and sharp corners to more rounded design lines and a sleeker look. Judging by this spy photo, the car still seems to maintain some of these “boxy” lines, but it brings the F25 closer to the first generation X3.

The “kicked-up” window line that first saw the daylight in the X3 will be again evident and it will be seen as an X3 characteristic, a design element that will be associated with the model.

While sitting higher than the X1, the new X3 seems to have inherited some of the features from the new entry-level compact SAV, mostly around the front-fascia.

For the North American market, BMW will bring the xDrive28i and xDrive35i models. A diesel model, xDrive35d, is rumored to appear in the future as well.

European sales begin late this year and the 2011 X3 will make its official debut at the Paris Motor Show in October.

[Photo Source: Palbay for Germancarforum ]