The all-new 2011 BMW X3 finally broke cover, and it promises to be a sportier and roomier than ever before.

Overall the 2011 X3 doesn’t look too different from its predecessor. However, its front fascia has been heavily revised to mimic the more upright, bolder look of the recently updated 5 Series and 7 Series.

The rear profile has also been augmented and features a long crease along its waistline. From the side the new look shows off the car’s sportiness, as opposed to giving any pretense of off-roading capability.

Under the hood is a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline six cylinder engine rated at 240 horsepower and 230 pound-feet of torque. There’s also an available turbocharged inline six option that produces 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque.

The 2011 BMW X3 will be available later this year. More details to follow.

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Recent bomb scares in New York City have naturally made residents nervous. This is why one of the latest false alarms was sparked by a camouflaged prototype for the next-generation BMW X3.

Over the weekend, the driver of a black and white BMW X3 test mile with a tarp draped over it, left the vehicle running while he enjoyed a picnic with his girlfriend on the Upper West Side. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how these prototypes look, which is why the sight of this unusual vehicle caused a passer-by to call the police.

Taking no chances, the NYPD Bomb Squad eventually arrived at the scene near the main entrance to the Museum of Natural History on Central Park West. In their inspection of the vehicle, they smashed several of the windows, only to find that the interior of the vehicle as also covered with a tarp.

Eventually the driver, BMW brand manager and test driver Martin Birkman, was identified and admitted to making the mistake of hitting the wrong button instead of shutting off the vehicle. Although many details of the next X3 have yet to be known, at least we know that a remote start option will be available.

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