Our roving spy photographers are noticing a troubling trend. At least one manufacturer is throwing weird designs on its preproduction test vehicles in order to trick the human eye into misunderstanding size and shape. The only problem is that it doesn't seem to work. Clearly designed to prevent the curious onlooker from realizing exactly which or what kind of vehicle it really is, the "camouflage" design does everything except wave its arms to get attention. The first of the two BMWs noted here may look similar but they are quite different. The first will likely be the coming X1, based off the highly capable 1 Series platform. The 1 Series is new this year, and our Motor Trend brethren tell us it is a stunning driver's vehicle and should make for a strong platform for a RAV4/CR-V/Vue competitor. The vehicle should be out next year with two gas engine choices and standard all-wheel drive.
A little further out on the production schedule but still suffering from a horrible costume design, the next X3 is making undercover test drives. From the looks of it, the X3 will hardly change its overall dimensional look but will go sleeker and softer in exterior styling cues. Some reports have the next-generation SUVs sharing a common design language with the concept CS BMW showed at the New York Auto Show last March, meaning BMW will incorporate a more prominent grille plus new wraparound headlights. Designers will no doubt focus on improving the quality of the interior, as they can expect stiff competition from the likes of the coming Mercedes-Benz GLK and Audi Q5. Expect to see a twin-turbo 3.0-liter I-6, as well as a new 2.0-liter 204-horsepower (300-pound-foot?) turbodiesel. We've also heard talk of a coming hybrid for the model.
Check out the Jan/Feb 2009 issuse for the full images!