There's still some camo in the way, but for the first time, we're getting a good look at the actual shape of the 2011 BMW X3.

Shot in favorable light on Munich city streets, this X3 image has a gently rising beltline that splits the difference between the racier contours of the BMW X1 and the more conservative lines of the X5 familymobile. You can also make out the final shape for the headlights and taillights on this X3. 

Overall, this appears to be a restrained redesign of the X3 — an approach in keeping with the recent 5 Series redesign. More immoderate changes are likely to come under the hood, though perhaps not right at launch. The more fuel-efficient, turbocharged four-cylinders slated for the next 3 Series will almost certainly come to the X3 as well. It's likely that BMW would still keep an inline-6 around as the top powerplant, though.

The actual U.S. launch of the 2011 BMW X3 could still be a ways off, as a report late last year suggested BMW is pushing it back to Summer 2011 as it implements a new ordering system.