THOSE expecting a small off-roader, a sort of baby X5, might have been surprised when the wraps were lifted from BMW's X3.
Because out popped a substantial model in its own right, yet one with more elegance than the executive Sports Activity Vehicle so favoured by Premiership footballers.
The beauty of this car is that it doesn't have many direct rivals - it's larger than the likes of Land Rover's Freelander and the Toyota RAV4 yet more compact than full-blown offerings in the mould of the Volvo XC90.
BMW's confidence that demand would be substantial has proved well placed, and it's certainly one of the best vehicles I have driven in a while.
But does it live up to the Ultimate Driving Machine label so favoured by the Bavarian company's publicity machine?
A key element of this car's ability - both in everyday conditions and in the rough stuff - is down to something called xDrive. This is a pro-active technology that helps the car drive out of emergency situations before reacting to them.
By constantly varying traction from the front to rear axles to ensure optimum grip, the X3 can adjust its trajectory through wet corners or when a sudden lane change is needed.
And you can feel it too. There's terrific body control for a car of this type with very positive handling and, for off-road work, there's the X5's Hill Descent Control that restricts speed downhill and automatically applies the brakes individually.
The X3 is a car you feel at home in rather than being a lounge on wheels. Its design is practical and functional. For instance, unlike some Beemers which have a fiddly control system, this has a more conventional, simply laid out arrangement that's easy to use.
Airflow, temperature and sound system switches are close at hand along with steering wheel-mounted buttons for volume, stations, cruise control and telephone.
There's also a pop-up computer screen that shows functions like fuel consumption and range, average speed, outside temperature and sat-nav.
Space is first class for four people - a fifth sits rather uncomfortably on a central panel with legs either side of the transmission tunnel - and the boot is large.
Bins, boxes, trays and six-CD stacker located in the split-level centre box are dotted around the car along with the obligatory cupholders.
While the test car's six cylinder engine offers fine performance and a sweet five-speed automatic gearbox with Steptronic manual shift option, the recently introduced two-litre common rail diesel version at just over £26,000 is a welcome addition to the range, and likely to become the most popular.
Safety equipment is extensive with front, side and curtain airbags, tyre puncture warning and stability systems on every model, but optional extras can really hike up the car's cost.
FAST FACTS
BMW X3 3.0i SE
Price: £32,450
Mechanical: 231bhp, 2,979cc, 6cyl petrol engine driving four wheels via 5spd automatic gearbox
Max speed: 130mph
0-62mph: 8.1 secs
Combined mpg: 23.3
Insurance group: 17
CO2 emissions: 293g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage; 2yrs paint; 6yrs anti-rust