Our spy photographers have stumbled upon the 2017 BMW X3 on test in Germany. The spy shots include image of the standard car as well as the high performance M variant also.  It will be showcased sometime next year and subsequently go into production a few months later.

The first look itself tells us that the X3 will be larger in proportions as compared to the outgoing model. With a new glass house, the rear doors look longer suggesting that the wheelbase will increase. So we can expect a roomier cabin, which should be updated with a bigger infotainment system and BMW’s latest iDrive system.

For the exterior changes, there might not be much to guess as BMW has done a fantastic job in covering up the test vehicle. Nevertheless, the components like the BMW badge, the grille, the headlights and even the ORVMs have increased in size. The one with the M package clearly stands out with muscular bumpers, roof rails, spoiler, dual exhausts and larger wheels.

On the powertrain front, we can expect BMW to update the range of four-cylinder and six-cylinder units including a range of direct injection petrol and the common rail diesel engines. The X3 M is expected to get the turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder unit from the latest M3. It is expected to produce 425bhp putting  it in the league of the high performance SUVs in the segment. A six-speed manual and the new ZF-sourced nine-speed automatic gearbox will do the transmission duties.

The upcoming BMW X3 will be the third-generation of the SUV. It is expected to be unveiled in mid-2017 and packed with a host of features and modern-day tech. A lot is expected from the M performance variant, which will compete with the Porsche Macan Turbo and the upcoming Mercedes-AMG GLC63 upon launch.