X6 Blows In

Even by BMW’s standard this is going some: it seems like only yesterday that we were watching the unveiling of the X6 concept at the Frankfurt show and here it is
ready to go on sale.

If there’s one thing BMW likes doing, it’s creating a niche. First we had the ‘Sports Activity Vehicle’ in the shape of the X5, and now we have the world’s first ‘Sports Activity Coupe’. As the name suggests, it’s a kind of coupe version of a traditional 4x4, the aim being to offer the high-riding stance and commanding driving position with sports saloon handling.

Dig into the press pack though and there’s a lot more to the X6 than cynical niche marketing: it’s packed with new technology and clever details, many of which clearly point towards future BMW model line-ups.

Possibly the biggest news is the engine range, which is entirely turbocharged, kicking off with the familiar 3-litre turbodiesel straight six running at 235 bhp. Next up is the 286 bhp twin-turbo version of the same engine, alongside the twin-turbo 3-litre petrol motor found in the 135i and 335i. Range-topper though is ever so slightly mental: a twin turbo 4.4-litre V8 cranking out 408 bhp and 443 lbf.ft torque which makes the X6 xDrive50i (now there’s a badge) the most powerful ‘X’ model ever produced.Headline figures are 0-62 mph in 5.4 seconds and a limited 155 mph top end, which adds convincing weight to the claim that the X6 provides sports car performance.

The new V8 is interesting for plenty of reasons besides its power output. It’s actually the first engine in the world to package the turbochargers and the catalytic converter within the ‘vee’ of the cylinders.
This of course makes for a narrower engine which in turn allowed the engineers to squeeze the unit between the front arches without having to reconfigure the front suspension wishbones.

As you’d expect, all the X6 models come with a raft of BMW’s planet-friendly Efficient Dynamics innovations, including the intelligent alternator, low rolling resistance tyres with special heat-resistant sidewalls, adjustable aerodynamics in the front grille and low friction transmission fluids. The petrol models of course all feature the latest high precision direct injection.

The transmission is a development of the ‘xDrive’ system debuted on the post-2004 X5 models, which uses a system of electronic clutches to distribute power to each end as required. The X6 takes this a step further though, with the addition of Dynamic Performance Control, which constantly adjusts the drive forces from side to side at the rear wheels.

BMW reckons the system is unique in that it can provide a stabilising effect both under power and during overrun and the way it works is intriguing: throwing convention to the wind, it actually operates in a reverse way to traditional stability control systems in that when under or oversteer is detected, the system transfers additional speed to the outside rear wheel rather than braking the inner wheel.

As far as standard spec goes, you’re looking at a car priced up there with the 7-Series, so it’s no surprise to find that 19 inch wheels are standard, as are Xenon lamps, iDrive, sport suspension and a six-speed automatic with steering wheel paddles: so far, there’s no manual box.

Expect to find the X6 in showrooms in May, with the twin-turbo arriving later in the year.