The new BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupé heralds the dawn of a new era in motoring. Never before have the elegant flowing lines of a coupé been combined with the powerful presence of a four-wheel-drive model. The BMW X6 is a unique proposition offering owners the safety and convenience of a command driving position with the on-road performance of a sports car, all wrapped in the svelte lines of a coupé.
Model / Price OTR / Power Hp / Torque Nm / 0–62mph Seconds / Top Speed / Combined Mpg / CO2 Emissions g/km
BMW X6 xDrive30d / £41,955 / 235 / 520 / 8.0 / 137* / 34.4 / 217
BMW X6 xDrive35d / £44,135 / 286 / 580 / 6.9 / 147 / 34.0 / 220
BMW X6 xDrive35i / £42,625 / 306 / 400 / 6.7 / 149 / 25.9 / 262
BMW x6 xDrive50i / TBC / 408 / 600 / 5.4 / 155** / 22.6 / 299
*Fitted with Dynamic Package. ** Electronically-limited
For the first time in BMW’s history, an entire model range is turbocharged with the X6 offering a quartet of forced induction powerplants. The range flagship is an all-new twin-turbocharged V8 producing 408hp at 5,500rpm. The 4,395cc engine makes the BMW X6 xDrive50i the most powerful production X model BMW has ever produced. Its 600Nm of torque from 1,800rpm through to 4,500rpm propels the X6 from zero to 62mph in 5.4 seconds. Top speed has been electronically-limited to 155mph. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 22.6mpg.
To optimise packaging, the configuration of the new V8 engine is unique too. It is the first engine in the world to locate twin-turbochargers and a catalytic converter within the vee of the engine. The revolutionary new engine design allowed engineers to fit the twin-turbochargers needed for increased performance without having to reconfigure the double wishbone front suspension.
To complement the outstanding performance figures of the new 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged X6, it is joined by the X6 xDrive35i powered by the International Engine of the Year 2007 winner. The 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine already available in the 1 and 3 Series now comes to the X6. Offering 306hp from its 2,979cc powerplant, the BMW X6 xDrive35i produces peak power at 5,800rpm. With peak torque of 400Nm from 1,300rpm through to 5,000rpm, it also offers the driver a seamless wave of acceleration from near idle.
This award-winning engineering results in a vehicle that can sprint from zero to 62mph in 6.7 seconds before going on to a top speed of 149mph. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 25.9mpg with CO2 emissions of 262g/km.
It is the diesel-powered cars that are predicted to be the biggest selling variants in the UK. The BMW X6 xDrive30d is powered by a single-turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine featuring third-generation common-rail fuel injection and producing 235hp at 4,000rpm. The 2,993cc unit achieves 520Nm of torque from 2,000rpm through to 2,750rpm. This helps deliver a zero to 62mph time of 8.0 seconds before going on to a top speed of 137mph (with the Dynamic Package fitted*). The BMW X6 xDrive30d still achieves 34.4mpg on the combined cycle. Emissions of just 217g/km CO2 ensure the car falls into the Band F Vehicle Excise Duty tier.
*Dynamic Package consists of unique 19-inch alloy wheels, Anthracite headlining, mesh lower front grilles in titanium colour, Nevada leather upholstery, fully electric seat adjustment, High-gloss Shadowline and Sports seats.
Blending high performance with class-leading fuel economy and CO2 emissions is also a trait of the BMW X6 xDrive35d. Powered by an award-winning twin-turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine with third generation common-rail technology, the X6 xDrive35d produces 286hp at 4,400rpm. Peak torque is 580Nm and this is attained from 1,750rpm through to 2,250rpm. The near instantaneous peak torque figure delivers swift acceleration in all situations. Zero to 62mph is achieved in 6.9 seconds before the vehicle continues on to a top speed of 147mph. Fuel consumption is equally impressive with the X6 xDrive35d returning 34.0mpg on the combined cycle and emitting 220g/km CO2 emissions – again making it a Band F Vehicle Excise Duty tier BMW.
EfficientDynamics:
The BMW X6 is aimed at the enthusiastic driver and, courtesy of BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology, its all round performance is enhanced by a number of intelligent features.
Brake Energy Regeneration, incorporating an Intelligent Alternator Control and an Absorbent Glass Mat battery to recycle previously lost energy, ensures unrivalled fuel consumption in the X6. This is achieved as the alternator reduces drag on the engine by only engaging when required to charge the battery. Normally a traditional alternator is constantly draining power from the engine. Additionally, the energy generated by the engine on over-run (under braking or descending a hill) was also previously wasted. Now this lost energy is used by the alternator to charge the battery.
Reduced rolling resistance tyres featuring special heat resistant, anti-distortion materials in the tread and sidewalls lower emissions and improve fuel efficiency on the X6. The Sports Activity Coupé comes with low friction transmission fluids for efficient running and active aerodynamics to regulate air flow to the engine. This enables the engine to always work at its optimum efficiency for the benefit of power and economy. Petrol-powered X6s also feature high-precision direct injection for the optimum in combustion characteristics.
Dynamic Performance Control:
Twinned with BMW’s benchmark xDrive four-wheel-drive system, Dynamic Performance Control makes its world debut on the BMW X6. Dynamic Performance Control works by spreading drive forces from side to side at the two rear wheels as required in a given situation.
Dynamic Performance Control is unique. It is the only system of its kind in the world able to provide its stabilising effect both under power and with the engine on overrun. The system works by detecting possible over- or understeer of the vehicle in, for example, a bend. When this occurs Dynamic Performance Control will vary the distribution of drive forces between the wheels for perfect stability, dynamic traction, and forward motion. This is achieved by transferring additional wheel speed to the outer rear wheel to push the car round the corner rather than applying brake force to the inner wheels as currently happens with traditional stability control systems.
In the process, Dynamic Performance Control improves driving stability at all speeds, not only ensuring maximum traction when pulling away and precise control when entering a bend, but also higher levels of lateral acceleration and optimum directional stability when accelerating out of the bend.
Design:
The BMW X6 is the third X model to be launched by BMW. The four-seat BMW X6 is aimed at a different customer to X3 and X5 owners, appealing to the driver who enjoys the command driving position, but one that also savours the characteristics of a sports car.
The exterior design of the X6 is a bold statement of that customer intent. From the front, large air intakes positioned on the outer reaches of the front bumper highlight the cooling requirements of the high-performance engine. The contour of the central air intake, in addition, visually widens the car for a more sporting appearance.
From the side, the unique design and proportions of the BMW X6 are striking. Its tapering roofline and long rear body overhang give the car a stretched coupé silhouette. To accentuate this, the roofline reaches its highest point directly behind the steering wheel tapering off to the rear to emphasise the dynamic wedge shape of the car. Flared wheel arches, standard 19-inch light-alloy wheels and a wide rear track all serve to underscore the vehicle’s sporting intent.
Equipment highlights:
All BMW X6s models come with a wealth of equipment as standard including 19-inch alloy wheels, Dynamic Performance Control, xDrive four-wheel-drive, Dynamic Stability Control+, xenon headlights, front and rear Park Distance Control, Sports suspension and a six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddles.
Inside, standard equipment highlights include part electric seat adjustment, 6.5-inch colour display screen with iDrive controller, two-zone climate control and ISOFIX child seat attachments in the rear. The X6 xDrive50i comes as standard with a different style of 19-inch alloy wheel, self-levelling rear suspension, angular exhaust tailpipes, a redesigned kidney grille and side window surround, and Nevada leather upholstery.
Optional highlights of the X6 include BMW’s Adaptive Drive handling package, Active Steering, Head-up Display, Adaptive Headlights, High-beam Assistant, Reversing Camera and four-zone climate control.
The BMW X6 launches in May, 2008 with the X6 xDrive30d, xDrive35i and xDrive35d. The X6 xDrive50i goes on sale later in the year. Prices for this model will be announced nearer the time.