[Photos] BMW X3 M40i first seen on the road!

BMW has just unveiled the all-new G01 X3 SUV a month ago and a few automotive journalists have already been given the chance to drive it in Spartanburg, at the M Performance Center. We already know that the new X3 is using a new version of the xDrive all-wheel drive system that allows it to sends even more to the rear wheels. Check out some snapshots of the pre-production X3 M40i taken just this weekend on the streets of Greenville. This is the first time we’re seeing it on the road!

The BMW X3 M40i is powered by a variant of BMW’s B58 3.0 liter turbocharged I6 engine. It is similar to what’s in the BMW M240i but has higher power. Compared to the M240i’s 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, the X3 M40i gets 355 hp and the same amount of torque. It is matted to BMW’s ZF-sourced, sport-tuned eight-speed automatic transmission and a more performance oriented xDrive system. According to BMW, it can get from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds, making it the fastest car in its class.

A lot of other improvements have also happened in this car. It has stiffer suspension and more sport tuned damping, along with bigger M Sport brakes, improved aerodynamics thanks to a sportier front-end and sleeker roofline – 0.33 drag coefficient compared to the 0.36 in the current model, that makes it better in handling and performance in general.