German Car Zone

Eg. we in Europe are used to small cars (micro & mini cars are very popular here!!!).

In some less wealthy countries cars like eg VW Polo, Renault Clio, Ford Fiesta etc. are used as family cars! Nothing unusual.

We are not so spoiled regarding the cabin & cargo room.

So, we like it small.


Eg. a Hummer, Escalade, LandCruiser look like cruiser boats on the European streets. Not very common sight.

Just to add my viewpoint, I am one of those target customers that BMW were aiming at - I have bought the highest performing SUVs on the market in recent years (two X5 4.8is and then my current AMG ML63) and I would always buy the most dynamically capable car available.

I have had my name down for over 2 years and am first on the order list here in the UK. Being involved with the motoring press I was aware about BMW's plans for the X6 some time ago, although I've only seen it as most of you guys have done from the press releases.

There appears to be 'no compromises' from a utility standpoint for the way we use our SUVs - we only ever have 4 people in the car, the luggage space is as much as my ML currently has and we never load luggage above the load cover. We use our SUV for family journeys and trans-continental trekks so it seems perfectly suitable for our needs.

I also have coupes, other sports cars and what has always appealed to me about the SUV concept is for it to be the 'swiss army knife' of cars, the one car in my garage that does more things and has the highest utility value for my needs. So when travelling abroad, I still have a car that sounds good, is enjoyable to drive, looks stylish and is fast. It's nice to know I have a sports car at home, but I'd like to take it with me too. For some that's a compromise, but for me that's a great deal of value.

Ultimately, as we've often asked ourselves, if we had to reduce our cars down to just one then our performance SUV would be the one I would keep.

The X6 makes a great deal of sense for people like me.

I am sure you'll enjoy it DoctorD.

BTW do you still have the Z4M and CSL or did you have to make room for this badboy?

The Z4M was replaced by a B7 RS4 Avant, but I still have the CSL. I've then got the R8 arriving next year and hopefully this X6 will replace my ML63. Phew...

Wow!

I was playing with the vizualizer and i must say that Monaco Blue color is awesome.

There's a thread over on PistonHeads that is trotting out all the usual rhetoric in a less informed and balanced manner than here on GCZ.

RE: BMW X6 Revealed

It does target SUV owners in general because a good portion of people will be trading in their RRs, Cayennes and X5 for this car. Consumers think is a much more simple channels than you think. There is no technical difference between the X6 and the Cayenne besides a sloping roof.

They are of the same size, have the same capabilities, weigh the same and have the same price tags. Even those who don't need a traditional 5 seater SUV will evaluate both, including similar priced SUVs. It's the natural way of life.

True. But the owners who will trade their Cayennes, RRs, X5s Q7, ML AMGs etc for X6 are not the average SAV owners. Mind that this particular segment (large premium SAV) is quite large - with about 1 million vehicles sold annually. And the majority of them buys such a car due its utility - due being one of the most practical models in model portfolio of premium brands. But a friction of owners buy such a car because they just love large SAVs due their presence - not due its utility. And many of them opt for a performance version. Because they want a performance version to go with the presence.

Like I said: eg a soccermom with 3 children & a dog won't trade her Q7 for X6.

Mind X6 is a niche car - a low volume seller, with predicted max. annual sales of 40k units.

So, if all RR, Cayenne, Q7 etc owners are ready to trade their SAVs for X6 that can be a big problem. Since BMW have no production capacity to produce as many cars to satisfy the demand.

EnI i agree with you.

For anyone who is interested here are some details on UK prices and availability;

35d - build begins - Jan 2008 - deliveries from - 31st May 2008

35i - build begins - Apr 2008 - deliveries from - 31st May 2008

30d - build begins - Apr 2008 - deliveries from - 31st May 2008

50i - build begins - Oct 2008 - deliveries from - Q4 2008

All dealer demo cars will be the 35d and will be specced and supplied to dealers ready for the May retail launch events.

UK confirmed prices OTR;

35d - £44,135

35i - £42,625

30d - £41,995

50i - to be defined