If you were able to fit 8 people into the SUV, then it is REALLY a SUV. But the X5 cannot do that. The way I see it, the X6 isn't all that different from the X5. While you get a bit less headroom, you still get more or less the same cargo space as an X5. The X5's 3rd row is only good for children anyway.

I'm sure a lot of people will agree, I'd be willing to sacrifice that 5th spot (as in bitch seat) for a car that looks even better than the X5 and probably drives better. The only times I've ever had 5 people or more in a car is when I'm DDing. 2 cents

P.S. Eni didn't call you 1 dimensional either... I think you misread

I lot of people seem to get worked up about the functionality of the X6 when (a) it is deliberately designed for people who DO NOT need the same utility and function as an X5, just as the 6-series is compared to the 5-series, or the 3-series Coupe compared to the 3-series Wagon. (b) its not that much less useful than the X5. Chassis is the essentially the same in terms of utility, front driver space - height, width is the same as the X5, rear seat space is slightly narrower and with slightly less headroom (4cm IIRC), and although the boot is 70 litres smaller thats still more than other rival mainstream SUVs.

So, forget BMW's marketing bull and just think of it as an X5 that is more dynamically capable and stylish (even if its style isn't something that particularly appeals to you).

Who buys such a car? Well there will be those who see it as a way of standing out, as just the latest thing to buy, but there are some of us who never used the X5's middle seat, neither did we load the cargo bay up beyond the cover and therefore the X6 provides everything we had with the X5, but in a more sporty and stylish package.

BMW do themselves no favours by distracting attention to meaningless nomenclature and talk of having invented a new niche. If only they could just say "..hey, we've built a new SUV variant, we think its pretty cool so we hope you like it"

Here's some pictures of the Tasman grey X6 35i that is parked adjacent to the X50i at Detroit

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- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Yep, we were able to fit 8 people into the Nissan Pathfinder Armada. 2 in the front, 3 in the second row and 3 in the last row.

I agree with you, the X5 isn't a "fullsize" SUV, that's where the US SUVs usually shine at. The only german that is good enough for my family is the GL, other than that the Japanese and Europeans offer better SUVs.

I can honestly tell you that after seeing the X6 in person yesterday that this thing is hot. Really sporty and impractical and all the better for it. For people looking for the hot truck this year this is going to be the one. The crowd reaction was tremendous.

M

Pics????????????????

Yep, in a few days.

M