Along with the dual e-motor transmission for hybrid action, the X3 also gets active steering, active roll stabilization, the electro-hydraulic brake system, and cruise control with brake-to-stop function; we'd assume that means some sort of Jag-ish radar-controlled braking feedback loop. All well and good, but since nobody actually buys an X3 for the driving dynamics, it's a good thing BMW will also be adding better materials to the cabin, an on-board hard drive, and a night-vision system (we'll believe that when we see it — at night).

But what about that X1? Das Bild speculates that the new sub-X3 will be seeing the light of day by the third quarter of 2009, and will be just what it seems: a smaller, lower crossover. At some point, they're just going to have to call them wagons. The X1 will sport a bevy of engines, ranging from a 1.4-liter four sourced from Peugeot up to a 3.5-liter V6 fire-breather from BMW, along with the now-inescapable automatic or hybrid transmission setup.

Guess this finally answers the age-old question: "If a soccer mom cries out for a tall station wagon, does BMW hear it?" [Autobild (translated) via Carscoop]

The first prototype for BMW's all-new X3 has broken cover, and we have snagged our first full set of photos on the streets of Munich. Despite the camouflage, the sleekness of the revamped X3's new shape is unmistakable. There appears to be some of the X6's smooth greenhouse flow from the A- to C-pillars, but without the sacrifice to rear headroom and cargo space. From this first look, it seems that a little more "sportwagen" has crept into the new X3's design brief.

The new X3 is reportedly based on the 3-series platform, but it has been stretched and widened to add some additional functionality to the shape.