After four years in the market, the third generation BMW X3 is getting ready to be updated. The facelift (LCI) is expected to premiere later this year for international markets and launch as a 2022MY in North America.
However, until that happens, the Munich auto firm continues testing the mid-cycle refresh of the premium compact crossover. The latest batch of spy shots shows a less-disguised prototype out in the open, with less camouflage on the grille that appears to be roughly the same size and shape as before.
Related: Facelifted 2021 BMW X3 M40i Drops Some Camo In Latest Spy Shots
The headlights will be revised and by the looks of it so will the front bumper, featuring a slightly smaller lower grille and more rounded side air intakes. The vinyl stickers make it hard to spot any changes at the back, but from what it appears, BMW has renewed the bumper. The taillights have a very similar shape, but the graphics are probably new.
The cockpit was partially hidden under wraps, as the facelifted X3 is understood to feature a new infotainment system, supposedly with a slightly bigger screen and revised iDrive controller sitting next to the presumably updated gear selector.
We wouldn’t expect any dramatic upgrades in the powertrain family, which should soldier on in the current configuration, more or less. The gasoline, diesel and plug-in hybrid units will be topped by the 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six mill in the X3 M, which produces 473 HP in the current standard model and 503 HP in the Competition.
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