The third quarter of 2011 will see two new engines join the BMW X3 line-up, one at either end of the range, but each with TwinPower turbo technology.
Starting at the bottom, the new entry-level petrol model is the X3 xDrive20i, motivated by a new, all-aluminium, two-litre four with a twin-scroll turbocharger, direct fuel-injection, and variable valve lift and timing on both camshafts - all of which it borrows from BMW's iconic 225kW three-litre six.
The new four delivers a claimed 135kW at 4800 and 270Nm from 1250. A six-speed gearbox is standard, with a eight-speed auto as an option. Also standard (on both versions) is the usual BMW EfficientDynamics "green" suite, including auto stop/start.
At the top of the X3 range, however, there's the new X3 xDrive35d, a three-litre straight six with variable two-stage turbocharging and the latest common-rail fuel-injection, operating at 1800 bar, for which BMW quotes 230kW at 4400rpm and a monumental 630Nm from 1500-2500.
At low revs the smaller turbo spools up very quickly to bypass the large turbo and feed the engine with a minimum of turbo lag; give it a heavy foot, however, and the bypass unit switches to the bigger turbo so the engine can breathe more deeply, giving the 35d a longer torque curve than usual for a diesel.
At the same time a range of detail improvements will be implemented across the X3. If you order your X3 with satnav, you'll now also have the option of real-time traffic to provide accurate, up-to-the-minute congestion alerts.
And for the fashionistas among us, the trim elements on the instrument panel can now also be specified in gloss black. Very important, that.