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"         About a month ago our man in Europe, Ian Adcock, delivered the first driving impressions of the . Although the prototype for his short test drive was still partially covered with camouflage to protect the vehicle&amp;#039;s final production styling, it didn&amp;#039;t mar his driving experience one bit, as he declared: &amp;quot;The drive was nevertheless sufficient to gather that this new model is clearly better than the outgoing one.&amp;quot; Today released the official images of the new X3, which is scheduled to hit U.S. dealers by the end of this year (prices have yet to be announced).   The second generation X3 is bigger in just about every way\u20143.4 in. longer, 1.1 in. wider, 0.5 in. taller, 0.5 in. more ground clearance and with a 0.6-in.-longer wheelbase\u2014yet Adcock noted it weighs about 45 lb. less than the outgoing first generation.   Although of course it&amp;#039;s big news that the X3 has been restyled inside and out\u2014the exterior, specifically, is far more intriguing than the outgoing X3&amp;#039;s rather blocky, boring look\u2014we&amp;#039;re more interested in the engines (and that plural part is key, as the current X3 has just one engine choice in the U.S.), the details of which were a bit spotty when Adcock filed his report. The engine in the base X3 xDrive28i will be the familiar magnesium/aluminum 3.0-liter inline-6, known as the N52, putting out 240 bhp and 230 lb.-ft. of torque\u2014down from the current X3 xDrive30i&amp;#039;s engine, which puts out 260 bhp. But the X3 xDrive28i comes with BMW&amp;#039;s new, quicker-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission, enabling it to hit 60 mph in an estimated 6.7 seconds, about a half second quicker than the current X3.   The bigger news, though, is the new xDrive35i (and yes, we still feel BMW&amp;#039;s naming system is beyond cumbersome), which features the new N55 3.0-liter inline-6, combining direct injection, a twin-scroll turbo and Valvetronic variable valve lift. The result is 300 bhp at 5800 rpm and 300 lb.-ft. of torque from 1200-5000 rpm. BMW figures the X3 xDrive35i will scoot to 60 in just 5.5 seconds. Although the EPA has yet to release fuel mileage estimates for the new X3, BMW says both models will deliver &amp;quot;...by far the most favorable fuel consumption and emission levels within their class.&amp;quot;   As with the first generation X3, the new model will come standard with all-wheel drive. But BMW says the third generation xDrive system found on the new X3 has been revised &amp;quot;to incorporate even more flexibility, quicker response and improved handling characteristics.&amp;quot; The X3 also features a totally redeveloped suspension, as well as an optional Electronic Damping Control system. A feature of the EDC system is the Driving Dynamics Control Center selector, which enables the driver to adjust the shock absorbers, throttle response, steering, shifting and stability system among Normal, Sport and Sport Plus settings.   The X3 has been a hit around the world, with over 600,000 sold since 2004\u2014150,000 of those in the U.S. The new X3 will be built at BMW&amp;#039;s Spartanburg, South Carolina, plant, which also produces the and . "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/news/a16052/first-official-photos-2011-bmw-x3/>