BMW X3 M And X4 M Prototypes Unveiled With New Straight-Six Engine

BMW has used this weekend’s DTM race at the Nürburgring to unveil the X3 M and X4 M prototypes.

Designed to preview the production models, the prototypes have been equipped with a sportier front bumper which features three large air intakes with honeycomb mesh inserts. Moving further back, we can see aerodynamic door mirrors and lightweight alloy wheels that are backed up by a high-performance braking system with blue calipers.

The rear of the crossovers are more distinctive as they feature a modified bumper and a four-tailpipe sports exhaust system. The models have also been equipped with a unique rear spoiler.

BMW declined to release performance specifications, but confirmed the crossovers will be powered by a “newly developed straight six-cylinder engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology and high-revving characteristics.” The company declined to elaborate, but previous reports have suggested the models will have a 3.0-liter M TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder engine with up to 454 hp (338 kW / 460 PS).

Besides the new engine, the crossovers will have an M xDrive all-wheel drive system that echos the one used on the M5. BMW says it “guarantees maximum traction and loss-free distribution of drive torque for achieving extremely dynamic handling characteristics.”

Other performance upgrades will include an active M rear differential and a sportier suspension. BMW didn’t such much about the latter, but promised the crossovers will have “unrivalled” levels of agility, precision and cornering dynamics.

The company declined to say when the models will be launched, but BMW M President Frank van Meel said “With their M specific performance characteristics, the BMW X3 M and the BMW X4 M will set benchmarks in terms of dynamics in their respective vehicle segment.”