Sneak Peak of 2018 All-New G01 BMW X3

First released in 2010, the current generation F25 BMW X3 is due to be retired soon, to be replaced by an all-new third generation G01 model before the year ends. It will most probably be launched as a 2018 model.

In line with the newer generation of BMW models, the all-new X3 is expected to see an eDrive plug-in hybrid variant joining the line-up, wearing either the xDrive30e or xDrive40e nomenclature.

Currently, the only plug-in hybrid BMW SUV model is the X5 xDrive40e. China also has an X1 xDrive25Le but that model is not available elsewhere.

Unlike the smaller front-wheel drive/all-wheel drive all-new X1, this bigger X3 will most probably retain the existing model’s rear-wheel drive/all-wheel drive transmission layout.

BMW has since released a teaser video of the all-new X3 undergoing some final fine-tuning of its vehicle dynamics and its xDrive all-wheel drive system on the frozen lakes of Sweden’s Lapland province, just 56 kilometres away from the polar circle.

BMW explains that area’s minus 20 degrees Celsius temperature, abundance of snow and vast frozen lakes offer an ideal condition for extreme cold weather testing. The even surfaces serve as proving grounds on which steering, suspension and drive characteristics can be meticulously tested and various different technical solutions compared against one another.