German Car Zone

Which Way Now?


The problem with standing out from the crowd is that everyone is doing it these days. Increased choice means as soon as you buy a car that sets you apart from the neighbours, within weeks the couple two doors down will have an identical model.

So what do buyers seeking the unusual do? The trick, it seems, is taking a gamble and being prepared to trade up the moment your unique car becomes the default sector choice. Not easy – and not cheap.

We’ve brought together four models which, for now at least, will let others know that you’re anything but predictable. If you like your cars big and bold, they don’t come any more striking than BMW’s new X6.

Best described as a four-door, four-seater coupé, it’s aimed at SUV customers who value style over all else. But while BMW claims to be the first to offer an off-road coupé, it has Mercedes to thank for levering open the demand. The CLS has proved there’s a market for large executive cars which say something about their owner’s taste – and not just the size of their wallets. Here we drive the latest evolution: the 350 CGI, which has the new 288bhp petrol V6.

No test of unconventional luxury cars would be complete without a Porsche Cayenne. Love it or loathe it, the German SUV has unquestionable presence. We try the GTS version to see how the original high-performance off-roader shapes up to its newest rival.

Finally, we have the Audi A5. With two doors and two back seats, it’s arguably the most focused and uncompromised car here. If BMW and Mercedes are going to hijack the coupé concept, they will have to see off one of the best models in the class first.


1st BMW X6 xDrive 35d

Based on the X5, does new SUV coupé add to that model’s talents?

• View BMW X6 xDrive 35d

2nd Audi A5 3.0 TDI quattro

Can a conventional coupé still cut it when it comes to individuality?

• View Audi A5 3.0 TDI quattro

3rd Mercedes CLS 350 CGI

Entry-level four-door coupé gets a torquey new petrol engine.

• View Mercedes CLS 350 CGI

4th Porsche Cayenne GTS

Latest off-roader’s performance belies its size.

• View Porsche Cayenne GTS

autoexpress

I did not see that result coming... it is a head turner though, can't wait to see it in real life.

Nice win. The vehicles in the test are very different from each other...

German Autozeitung is testing X6 with the new V8 Turbo engine against ML. I havent read it so I dont know the result.

Very interesting comparison!! Every car represents an own philosophy…and they all look great!!

Ree, in latest german Autozeitung there is comparison between following cars:

* BMW X6 xDRIVE50i
* MERCEDES ML 500
* PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS
* RANGE ROVER SPORT SC


Have you read it?

Didn't read the article yet but how does the CLS rival the X6?

It doesn't, but both are fake coupés...

LOL

Very weird test,the other SUV test is gonna be a nice read

I only know the 0-100 km/h times:
5,5 s - BMW X6
6,0 s - Mercedes ML500
6,1 s - Porsche Cayenne GTS
7,6 s - Range Rover Sport