New York ground to a standstill last week when a camouflaged X3 like this one was mistaken for a car bomb because the tester left the engine running.

Slightly less dramatic, but no less important, this particular 2011 X3 - caught testing in the U.S. - could be BMW’s first mass-market electric hybrid. The alloy wheels it is fitted with are the same aerodynamic rims used on the X6 ‘ActiveHybrid’ model, designed to reduce wind resistance and increase fuel economy.

A hybrid 5-series appeared at the Geneva show earlier this year, but that was only a concept, and the X3 could be the first small BMW hybrid to make production.

Looks wise, changes to the X3 remain small, but the new model is slightly larger in dimensions than the one it replaces, with more prominent ‘kidney’ grilles and new wraparound headlights carefully disguised by the usual optical camouflage.

Joining this possible hybrid model will be a 2.0-litre diesel with 204bhp and expect to the appearance of the twin-turbo straight-six from the 335i as well.

The American-only hybrid X6 was powered by a 4.4-litre V8 mated to a pair of electric motors housed in the gearbox, but the technology could easily be altered to work with the smaller engines in the X3 line up.


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Hopefully they will be using the new N55 single turbo and not the older N54 twin-turbo. :dunno:

N54 is on its way out so it will be N55.

Wondering when the real thing will be released? Will the xdrive35i have two individual exhaust pipes left and right?

All the mules I've seen w/ the TT I6 have the European style 2 pipes on the left side as you face the car from the rear.My guess is that style will make it to final production models.Thanks PalBay

New Color/New Spy Shots-2nd Gen X3
 

I have not seen this color in any other 2nd Gen X3 spy shots.May be the only close up static shots of the new 2nd Gen X3.Enjoy. Thanks. PalBay

Beautiful! BMW nailed it this time.

Nice photos. I agree that is does look much better than the 1st gen, but to me the headlights still look like an afterthought. The shape still looks odd, like the first gen. They should be more rounded or something, imo.

Which car show will be first with the F25?

+1!!