#2011BmwX3

After a long production cycle, a lengthy development process and a European launch that occurred months ago, BMW has finally brought the new 2011 X3 to the U.S., debuting today at the LA Auto Show.

We’ve been hearing about it for years, and now the second-generation BMW X3 has arrived for the 2011 model year. Offered in two model options, there’s an xDrive28i model with BMW’s traditional  inline-six making 240-hp and 230 ft-lbs of torque, as well as an xDrive35i model using the company’s single turbo N55 straight-six to make 300-hp and 300 ft-lbs of torque. BMW claims the 28i model will hit 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, while the top-tier 35i model will do the sprint in an incredibly fast 5.5 seconds.

Details of the upcoming second-generation BMW X3 have been confirmed by BMW, just a week after news broke of a 300-hp xDrive35i model. While a long list of engines will be offered in other markets, North American will likely get just two of them, a 268-hp 3.0-liter inline-six in the xDrive28i model and the 300ish horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six in the xDrive35i.