2011 BMW X3: First Look

• Competes with: Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLK, Volvo XC60
• Looks like: Every BMW will get the styling from the new 5 Series
• Drivetrain: 230-hp, 3.0-liter six-cylinder or 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder, eight-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: End of 2010

Newly introduced compact luxury SUVs have helped the sales of Cadillac, Volvo and Audi over the past year. But one of the first on the market, the X3 has remained relatively unchanged after six years. That’s why the 2011 X3, due by the end of the year, is vitally important to BMW. Just in the looks department, it’s obvious this new X3 is taking on the new look of the company’s lineup that we’ve seen in the 5 and 7 Series.

The more aggressive look is important, but a new interior is vital to winning over customers. The interior was a slight against the past model that debuted six years ago and received a mild update in 2007. The optional navigation system now sits in the dash instead of flipping up above it. It features the latest iteration of iDrive, and the screen is a massive 8.8 inches.

Cargo dimensions weren’t revealed, but the previous model’s tall rear cargo area was always a plus compared with the competition.

Under the hood of the base xDrive28i model is a vanilla 230-horsepower inline-six-cylinder that the company says can hit 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. What we’re most excited for is a more powerful option – not offered previously – in the xDrive35i, which packs a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six-cylinder recently introduced to the other models in the BMW lineup. The company says its 300 hp and 300 pounds-feet of torque get the X3 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, which is impressive for an SUV of any size.

Both engines come paired to a new eight-speed automatic transmission, which should help with mileage. No figures were given, but we’d expect a good bump from the current base model’s 17/24 mpg city/highway.

We’d also expect the starting price to stay close to the current model’s $38,850. The 2011 X3 will begin production later this year at BMW’s plant in Spartansburg, S.C., and go on sale at the end of 2010.
 
Many more photos below.