German Car Zone

klier · 12-16-2007, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luwalira

Thanks for mentioning the full leather dash, I hadn't noticed it. It's great for those who want to cover every bit possible in their car with beige leather.

Pay more attention, 'cause I already said that way back in post #39

j/k

You can see it in this pic here:

Merc1 · 12-16-2007, 06:12 PM

This sporty ute packs some serious, twin-turbo surprises under the hood.

Check out the power on the all-new BMW X6 that will make its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. This “sports activity coupe” almost deserves the coupe moniker—despite its actually having five doors—given what’s been stuffed under the hood.

BMW is dead serious with this one, imbuing it with a new, twin-turbo direct-injection 4.4-liter V-8 generating 400 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. This all-new, aluminum engine found in the xDrive50i model and making its world debut as well, becomes the most powerful powerplant for a BMW SUV. It also is significant for the placement of the turbocharger in the V-section between the two banks of cylinders.

A second engine choice is the xDrive35i, the twin-turbo, direct-injection, 3.0-liter inline-six with 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque also in the 335i and 535i. So while the notion of an X5-based notchback labeled a coupe still has us second-guessing, BMW is more than capable of leaving the skeptics in its dust with a claimed 0-to-60 mph time of 5.3 seconds from the V-8.

On the more practical side, BMW promises decent fuel efficiency from both engines. The new V-8 meets ULEV II emissions standards in the U.S. and EU5 requirements in Europe.

Utility Side of Life

Like the X6 concept that bowed earlier this year at the Frankfurt auto show, the production model seats four, with the command seating of a utility vehicle. BMW’s intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system is standard, complete with electronic control to send the power to the front and rear axles as driving conditions demand.

Further distributing power between the two rear wheels (like Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive or SH-AWD) is the automaker’s Dynamic Performance Control. The standard computerized rear differential with two planetary gearsets and two clutch packs directs more torque to one of the rear wheels to help steer the vehicle. It also reduces the need for stability control to kick in.

Other technology goodies include optional adaptive steering, adaptive drive to dampen body roll, trailer stability control, hill-descent control, cornering brake control, and active cruise control, as well as BMW’s integrated chassis management system that adjusts the suspension to the road in milliseconds.

Don’t Balance Your Coffee on This Roof

Stylistically, a short front overhang, sculpted hood, and tapered roofline try to create a coupe-like silhouette, while large air intakes are designed to emphasize a more powerful stance for this car-based vehicle. Adding to the look is a high beltline, creases at mid- and door-handle height in the side panels, and contoured wheel arches. The rear—oft-controversial at BMW—has a sporty lip and low rear window coupled with a muscular bumper in keeping with the SUV-coupe niche this vehicle is trying to slot into.

Inside, many light-skinned cows gave their lives to be able to offer 11 leather options to match up against 10 exterior colors. The ash grain wood trim is exclusive to the X6, and of course there is an interior choice brushed with aluminum.

BMW claims even tall passengers will be comfortable in the rear seats—we’ll send in our highly-statured staff members to test the claim during the Detroit show. Cargo space is nearly the same as in an X5, listed as 26 cubic feet behind the rear seats, apparently enough to accommodate four sets of golf clubs. Fold down the seats and the space grows to 60 cubic feet. Optional is an automatic tailgate that opens to varying degrees to keep repair bills down in garages with low ceilings.

Standard paddles on the sport steering wheel offer one way to shift the six speeds of the automatic transmission. Other interior features include kneepads on both sides of the center console.

The X6 is slated to go on sale in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2008, with a full hybrid version to follow for 2010.

In the meantime, we’re feasting on a little crow here. We initially thought the idea and the spy shots were on the lame side. We were pleasantly encouraged when we saw the concept in sheetmetal. And now we’ll likely claw each other to be the first to drive one.

Official Photos & Info: 2009 BMW X6 - Auto Shows - Car and Driver December 2007

M

Merc1 · 12-16-2007, 06:21 PM

What is it?

2009 BMW X6

What's special about it?

Coupelike agility combined with SUV utility? That's the promise of the 2009 BMW X6. It sounds like a stretch, but if any company can pull it off, BMW can. It already made its X5 SUV handle like a sedan, so making the similarly sized (although slightly lower) X6 feel like a coupe isn't impossible.

A choice of two turbocharged engines should help. Base models, which will be known as the xDrive35i, will get the same twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-6 as the 3 and 5 Series sedans. It delivers 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, so even the entry-level X6 should be plenty fast.

The real news is the top-of-the-line model known as the xDrive50i. It's the first BMW to use the company's new twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8. Like the smaller inline-6, the all-aluminum V8 uses direct injection to help deliver both efficiency and big power. Rated to produce 400 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, the xDrive50i tops both the supercharged Range Rover Sport and the Porsche Cayenne S in both horsepower and torque. BMW says the xDrive50i will go from zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.

All-wheel drive is standard on both trim levels of the X6 along with a six-speed automatic transmission. A new system called Dynamic Performance Control (DPC) has also been added to the xDrive all-wheel-drive system. In addition to modulating power between the front and rear wheels, DPC also has the ability to increase or decrease torque to each of the rear wheels to help steer the X6 through corners. Those wheels will be 19 inches in diameter on most X6s, although 20-inch wheels will be available as an option.

With such advanced hardware, the coupelike qualities of the X6 don't seem like an exaggeration. It's the utility end of the equation that's a little harder to justify. Unlike the current X5, the X6 is designed for a driver and three passengers only. There are no third-row seats of any kind and the second row gets a center console between the seats. There are only 25.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and even with the seats folded, the maximum cargo space only goes up to 59.7 cubic feet. That's less than BMW's smaller X3 SUV on both counts.

It looks as though BMW is counting on buyers who are more interested in the coupe side of the equation anyway, as everything about the interior is geared toward driving fast. All four seats feature oversize side bolsters and integrated headrests. There's also a standard sport steering wheel with integrated shift paddles, not to mention a set of knee pads on the center console to give the driver and front passenger something to lean on in fast turns.

Production starts in the spring of 2008 at BMW's assembly plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, so expect to see the X6 in dealerships by June. BMW has yet to announce any pricing, but given its premium engine lineup, the X6 will most likely slot in slightly above the current X5.

What's Edmunds' take?

It's an interesting package of performance and utility. Too bad it comes in a shape that will send buyers flocking to the X5 instead. — Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line

2009 BMW X6 - 2008 Detroit Auto Show

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HighestOfHigh · 12-16-2007, 09:34 PM

Some angles look good, but other it looks odd. Probably a good SUV, but looks unfinished.

A roof rack is a complete "must" for this car.

SDNR · 12-16-2007, 10:59 PM

^^ a roof rack ....for aesthetic purposes ....LOL, that would pretty much sum up the whole point of this car.

Merc1 · 12-17-2007, 01:28 AM

What happened to the 8-speed automatic mentioned earlier?

M

Merc1 · 12-17-2007, 01:29 AM

I will say one thing, it sure is a looker:

M

merve_extreme · 12-17-2007, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merc1

It looks worst from this angle.

Merc1 · 12-17-2007, 01:49 AM

You think so? I don't really see a bad angle so far.

M

Just_me · 12-17-2007, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luwalira

Then I guess the X5, S-class, LS600h, RS4 and Jaguar XF all have spoiled comfort in the second row?

Not to whine but I just think that there should be an an option for those who want a traditional second row.

There isnt an option for E92 either, backseat is only two places.

German Car Zone

Official: BMW X6