Earlier today, several auto publications reported that the second generation BMW X3 is being delayed by at least six months. While we were lead to believe that the new X3 will make its debut at the Detroit Auto Show, truth is that BMW has never officially acknowledged the X3 launch at the first auto show of the year.
MotorAuthority reports, based on an information from BMW North America CEO, Jim O’Donnell, that the six months push back will allow the company to offer a new ordering system that allows customers to pick and match their vehicles to their exact specifications.
At the same time, the article reports that initially the new X3 will be offered with four engine variants and the complete X3 lineup will feature four-cylinder units as well. BMW is considering both gasoline and diesel engines for their U.S. models.
Rendering by Auto Motor und SportWe reached out BMW USA Communication for confirmation on these news, but what we learned instead was that the redesigned X3 has always been scheduled to go on sale in early 2011 and will launch with only two engine variants.
The current BMW X3 production has not ended yet and the Magna Steyer manufacturer is still producing them at the Austrian plant. The changeover from the X3 to the new MINI Crossover will occur in the future as the X3 production line moves to Spartanburg.
On a different note, some reports indicate that associates in Spartanburg are being trained on the new X3 and more hiring will commence for the X3 production lines.
With a launch scheduled for 2011, we expect the new X3 to make its debut at one of the auto shows in the second half of 2010. The Detroit Auto Show in January will host the unveiling of the BMW X5 facelift.
Author: Horatiu B.
Source: http://www.bmwblog.com/2009/11/17/rumor ... ew-bmw-x3/