Facelifted BMW X3 and electric iX3 outed

The BMW X3 and its pure-electric BMW iX3 sibling are both set to be updated – and, to prove it, the latest mid-size SUVs have been previewed weeks before their official debut.

The refreshed 2021 BMW X3 and iX3 are understood to be scheduled for unveiling next month, but both were inadvertently shown in full on the Chinese government's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology website.

The images of both vehicles appear to have now been removed.

Although these are Chinese-market models shown here, the vehicles set for both Europe and Australia will look near identical, with the BMW SUV twins primed to get the mildest of exterior makeovers that includes new front and rear bumpers, the option of darkened headlights and LED tail-lights that gain new graphics.

The white BMW X3 xDrive30i pictured also features over-sized exhaust tailpipe finishers while up front it sports a black interlinked version of the car-maker's trademark kidney grille.

The burgundy red BMW iX3, meanwhile, gets the current model's blanked-out front grille that features an extra brushed aluminium-effect surround.

New rims look like they'll be available on both versions while at the rear of the car the battery-powered Audi Q5 rival shares the same new bumper as the petrol model. That means both incorporate a rear diffuser and wheel-arch extractors, although both aero aids look like they serve little purpose.

There's no pictures of the updated X3 and iX3 on the inside, but it's rumoured both get updated infotainment systems that potentially could run, or be compatible with, BMW's next-gen iDrive 8 operating system.

If so, expect the updated X3 to come with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a huge 14.9-inch central touch-screen (that can still be controlled by a rotary dial.)

Set to introduce a whole new look for BMW, the new system can also be controlled by a new multifunction steering wheel.

Claimed to be quicker than before, iDrive 8 also offers an updated version of the BMW Personal Assistant and offers higher levels of personalisation and functionality.

This includes sat-nav that 'learns' where you may be going at any given time, sending up-to-date traffic information before you leave.

Under the bonnet, it's thought BMW could introduce new electrified mild-hybrid engines.

Towards the end of the year, a refreshed version of the BMW X3 M and X4 SUV-coupe will also be introduced.

More details are expected in the build-up to the official debut of the updated BMW X3 and iX3.

The updated BMW X3 is expected to launch in Australia in the final quarter of this year, around the same time as the first landing of the BMW iX3.