The third-generation all-new 2018 BMW X3 has been revealed overnight with BMW claiming it promises “standout driving qualities on any terrain with unrestricted everyday usability”.

THE THRID-GENERATION BMW X3 has been revealed following images of it which were leaked late last week. According to BMW, “the new BMW X3 is set to write the next chapter in this success story with an even more striking, dynamic design language, powerful yet also efficient drive systems and luxurious appointments”.

Australian pricing and final specifications haven’t been finalized and will be released closer to this vehicle’s local release. The new BMW X3 doesn’t look overly different to its predecessor but runs a chunkier-looking kidney grille and hexagonal look fog lights, the design of which is debuting on an X model. Similar tweaks at the rear add to the overall muscular look which began with the second-generation X3 and continues with this new generation.

Internationally, BMW will offer the X3 with xLine trims, M Sport and Luxury, which is new to the line-up. Standard wheels are now 18-inches (up from 17in) and you can push it all the way to 21 inches if the fancy takes you. Like the outside, the interior has copped several tweaks, from the addition of three-zone climate control, to the Ambient Air package, active seat ventilation, the cargo function of the standard 40:20:40 split/folding rear seat backrests and the “panoramic glass roof that brings extra airiness to the interior and further enhances perceived quality”.

BMW said it’s engineers had worked hard to improve the dynamic performance of the new X3 without compromising its ride comfort. We’ll wait and see. Buyers will be able to add to the standard set-up via M Sport suspension, Dynamic Damper Control, M Sport brakes and variable sport steering.

According to BMW, there will be five engines to choose from at launch, two diesel engines and three petrol units. The 265kW BMW X3 M40i is the X3’s first M Performance variant; BMW X3 xDrive30i makes 185kW. The BMW X3 20i with 135kW and choice of all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive (not in Europe) will follow shortly after the launch. The two diesel models are the BMW X3 xDrive20d with 140kW and the BMW X3 xDrive30d developing 195kW. All the engine variants will be mated with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission.

The new X3 will offers BMW Connected Drive which includes BMW Personal CoPilot including a ‘level’ of semi-autonomous driving ability, this includes Active Cruise Control and the Driving Assistant Plus safety package, including Steering and lane control assistant, Lane Change Assistant (expected to be available from December this year) and Lane Keeping Assistant with side collision protection.

We’ll have more information on the new BMW X3 closer to its local launch.