let me tell you both..
the original design idea was none of the 2
it was the previous X5

Is it really important to know wich car derivates from the other ?

Yes.

Because people will see X6 as an X5 coupe.
But it's actually X5 that's an SUV version of X6.
Styling wise! Not talking about general design concepts.

BMW should have shown Concept X6 before X5 debuted. Eg. in Geneva 2006.
IMO quite a mistake by BMW marketing crew.

actually it does, in purely holistic design terms
to the laymen, there is no real difference since both will be perceived as "brothers" with X6 being newer, just because they are the 2 large SUV's that BMW is offering for sale
but in more design terms, knwing the origin of a design gives better insight in understanding the how, and the why that came to be X6 or whatever else at the end
having the premium SUV design starting at the X6 side, before being adapted to X5 enables to understand the origin of this particular design in sporty and dynamic come utilitarian, specially in the X6, where it was toned down to make it more utilatarian for the X5

it\s not really a big deal, but when analyzing a design it\s important to know, were the lines softened or hardened? the creases lessened or made deper during the process?
were thees in light of a different philophic approach? (nature of X5 versus X6) or to market research and curtomer reaction (X5 sales versus X6 preview and studies)?

Yep, because that would change some of the reactions from "All that hype and we get an X5 copy?" to "Wow! The X6 looked perfect, I'm glad that they made the X5 look like it!"
You don't get a second chance ..............

You can also say the opposite: The X5 is an icon and it can't be considered as the SUVed version of another car.

Exactly.

Coming from marketing world I know such difference in perception can have quite important impact on X5 & X6 image, and consequently on sales numbers.

Not showing Concept X6 in Geneva 2006 was a total blow! A missed opportunity. What the hell have the marketing guys thinking?

Well since the X6 is clearly the more original concept, it deserved the more original design, meaning in this case that it should've been presented first. That's what I meant
Icon or not, the X5 still "just an other" SUV.

I remeber Audi did -from my point of view- the same mistake few years ago, by presenting their new Single Frame grill on the A8 W12. which was -more or less- a facelift, instead of presenting it on the totally new A6 first. Did'nt understand that either!

Official pics out.

Please continue the debate here:

http://www.germancarzone.com/new-bmw...cial-pics.html

Thanks.