BMW releases official pictures of the all new X3

The new X3 will be built at BMW's American factory in Spartanburg, North Carolina, and is expected to go on sale by the end of this year. The design of the new X3 is cleaner and features styling cues from its siblings the X1 and X5, as well as the latest 5-Series. The silhouette is familiar, but the new X3 has a more prominent double kidney grille and concave surfaces on the hood.

The interior of the new X3 has been completely redesigned, with a classic four-dial instrument layout along with a more driver orientated centre console housing a large 8.8-inch high-resolution screen among the changes. Boot capacity has also increased, with the new X3 having a luggage capacity of between 550 and 1600 litres, depending on whether the split rear seats are up or down.

Overall, the new X3 has grown in size, being 12mm taller, 83mm longer, 28mm wider, and 12mm more ground clearance than the outgoing model. The wheelbase is also 15mm longer, at 2810mm long, and the new X3 is based on the next-generation 3-Series model.

Engines available at launch include two petrol units. The entry-level X3 xDrive28i is powered by a 3.0-litre inline-six with 240bhp, and is able to go from 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds. The other petrol engine is fitted to the X3 xDrive35i, and is a 3.0-litre straight-six with direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbo technology and Valvetronic, and is able to produce 300bhp. This engine is able to propel the X3 from 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds, and reach its electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h when fitted with the optional Sport Package.