Motor Expo: X6 test drive, Zonda F, DBS,XF , Phaeton, M3 DCT etc.

[Just_me]

ok but were is your X6 review? dont let us wait

[Centurion]

BMW X6 Test drive



Arriving at the expo one of the cars I looked forward to get up close with was the BMW X6. Since I had never seen one before the anticipation was high. My first sight was a cherry red one looking very seductive resting on the grass. The appearance is somewhat strange and not what I expected. Unlike the X5, the X6 looks a whole lot lower and sleeker as well. It really doesn't have the big boxy appearance of a standard SUV. As much as I hate acronyms the name SAC is actually quite justified. The X6 looks like a sedan on steroids and looks quite sporty to be honest.



Jumping into the cockpit of a silver X6 with bold lettering on the sides it was roomy and I love the seating position which wasn't too high up like sitting inside a Range Rover. Everything was well shaped and the enormous side mirrors were lovely. Turning on ignition on the engine sound was minimal, if not barely noticeable at all. That was astounding since the engine was in fact an inline 6 cylinder turbo charged diesel, but I didn't find that out until later on during the drive. It made me change my opinion on diesel since I find the engine sound in idle to be appalling, thankfully the engine didn't have the taxi diesel sound.

286hp might not sound much but the engine is a torque beast developing 580Nm. The enormous torque is exactly what the car needs and pushing down the gas pedal the engine response is almost instant, the car gets propelled straight towards the horizon. Highly effective engine which offer enough thrust to make the X6 an enjoyable activity crossover. More impressive is that the car is just 0.5 seconds slower from 0-100km/h than a 5er with the same engine. In corners the car hold up well, the steering is sharp and responsive. Although the weight is noticeable the car is highly agile. If the X5 is a sumo wrestler, the X6 is a muscular American football player. Heavy but agile, explosive and performance focused. The gearbox need work though, in manual mode it's doesn't shift quite enough so hopefully the 2010 model will get the DCT transmission.
The BMW employee who accompanied me was friendly although it did get a little quite after I initiated deep conversations about BMW, their engines, gearboxes, chassis and up and coming models to the point when he said "Wow, you know more than me."

Handing back the keys by body was filled with sorrow of wanting to drive the car even longer. What a terrific piece of machinery. The car is absolutely perfect. With a well designed interior, great handling, magical engine and sexy exterior there is almost nothing to complain about. What a car Rather than being perceived as an SUV it's more like an alternative to a large sedan. More weight, almost the same driving pleasure coupled with more style.

[PanterroR]

Originally Posted by Centurion

Handing back the keys by body was filled with sorrow of wanting to drive the car even longer. What a terrific piece of machinery. The car is absolutely perfect. With a well designed interior, great handling, magical engine and sexy exterior there is almost nothing to complain about. What a car Rather than being perceived as an SUV it's more like an alternative to a large sedan. More weight, almost the same driving pleasure coupled with more style.

Glad to hear that!

Thanks for the nice pics and review, Hassan... Karma for you.

[Just_me]

Didn't the guy reveal a X6 M coming?

[Centurion]

Thanks Sasha.

Originally Posted by Just_me

Didn't the guy reveal a X6 M coming?

I grilled him with that question and many more. Like many sales people he knew very little about up and coming models let alone the hardcore spec details. The dudes over at Mercedes couldn't answer any of the questions I had and they wanted to take my card so that their press officer would give me a call. Unfortunately I, unlike all the other people work at Canary Wharf, I don't have a business card. Will be printing mine next week

The M3 convertible was there in a highly seductive colour combo, black with red interior and was also equipped with the new transmission. Seeing personal with the 135i was great as well, backseats are more spacious than I though and I will be scheduling a test drive in the next few weeks

[PanterroR]

Originally Posted by Centurion

Thanks Sasha.

I grilled him with that question and many more. Like many sales people he knew very little about up and coming models let alone the hardcore spec details. The dudes over at Mercedes couldn't answer any of the questions I had and they wanted to take my card so that their press officer would give me a call. Unfortunately I, unlike all the other people work at Canary Wharf, I don't have a business card. Will be printing mine next week

YW!

Lol, the case is the same here by me and my dealer... Dealer himself and all his employees don't know 20% of what i know thanks to GCZ. Believe it or not, whenever i visit them, there's always some news and i'm the one providing those news to them, about everything... They don't know $h!t...

[Centurion]

XJ vs Phaeton vs S-class.....Fight!!!!



During the latest 2 years I've heard a lot of Phaeton praise with claims that the car is overlooked because of it's badge. There are quite a few Phaeton africandos here who have made their voices heard regards it's superb quality.

The exterior have always been of my liking, modern but subtle. Getting inside through the right rear door and shutting it, I was astounded by the sound isolation, almost dead quiet inside. More impressive is spaciousness in the rear, much better than any other SWB car I've been in. Sadly the car didn't live up to my expectations, sitting in the drivers seat touching everything I can get my hands on, my toes aren't quivering out of joy. Although the overall impression was positive the fit or quality of various latches and buttons weren't to the standard I anticipated. More laugh-worhty is the Phaeton W12 which is actually still for sale here in London and is still priced at a ridiculous €94 000 which is practically S8 money.



Moving on to the XJ it looks good from a far but when you get inside it is far from good. What a disgrace, everything is superficial with zero passion for bespoke behind the development. What horrified me were the buttons, absolutely every single buttons feel like those you would find in cheap American car like a Focus or any entry level manufactured by GM in 2001. The interior was a galore or the cheapest buttons money can buy. An absolute blasphemy in a car priced just under €100 000. Totally unacceptable which is a shame because I love the exterior. I could never buy such a car and live with those buttons.

Amazingly the S-class puts both cars to shame. There's honestly no competition here, the S-class interior is better in every single aspect with zero flaws.

[ree]

The interior of the Jag looks really cheap - compared to S-Class and Phaeton. Sad - it's such a good looking car and they have "destroyed" the interior. Nevertheless, I like the Phaeton more, then anytime before. Absolutely stunning car - especially since the facelift, it has grown on me.

[Centurion]

Originally Posted by ree

The interior of the Jag looks really cheap - compared to S-Class and Phaeton. Sad - it's such a good looking car and they have "destroyed" the interior. Nevertheless, I like the Phaeton more, then anytime before. Absolutely stunning car - especially since the facelift, it has grown on me.

Yeah, the Jag interior was unquestionably the worst one although it has more character than the Germans.

[Merc1]

I still like the XJ, though next to the XF it looks like a car for a person in the 80's.

M