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Here in Detroit, BMW went one step further in answering unasked questions, revealing the production model of the new X6 sport activity vehicle (SAV). We're not sure what sports they're referring to, but as far as activity goes, Bimmer engineers apparently went hog wild in countering the inherent flaws of a such high -ground-clearance vehicle for sporting pursuits. They're defying physics with what BMW calls its intelligent X-Drive, a new ground-control system that distributes power between front and rear axle, and its dynamic performance control system, which distributes torque between left and right wheels as needed. Both supernannies are standard on the 2009 X6. Not standard, though a tasty option, is a new, direct-injection, twin turbo V8 producing 407 hp 450 lb-ft. For people who just have to have it all, and are willing to pay smart people to reconcile contradictory desires.

German auto show press conferences are notorious insomnia cures, dense with sales figures delivered in thick accents, but those who stayed awake were treated to some grand hardware. The new X6's fetching skin conceals some cool tech, including a twin turbo V-8 that nestles its blowers in the valley of the vee, with the intake plumbed in from the outside. A backward arrangement that results in an overall package about the same size as its (completely unrelated) forebear. Output is rated at 407 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, which plateaus from 1750-4500 rpm. Its xDrive all-wheel-drive system is further enhanced by a rear axle featuring two planetary gearsets and wet clutches that can accelerate a wheel in a turn, helping to rotate the car in a corner. The claimed benefit relative to similar systems like Acura's Super Handling AWD is that BMW's Dynamic Performance Control also works under deceleration. X6 sales begin in late Spring/early Summer.

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Sounds like another winner for BMW.

M

Some more live shots:













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Looks really good.


M

Worthy of becoming an Allstar,Merc1???

Well the committee (me) has to see it in person and then voting can commence, but I can tell that the X6 is a candidate for such and esteemed honor. Seriously I think it has the best BMW interior going and the styling looks to be a knockout.

M

Then I shall wait for the commitee to return with there decision - agree on the interior, easy the best BMW offering and the exterior is great!!!

It's a winner definitely! And my next car...

Yeah she is a looker. The front is so aggressive, but yet not overtly so as to spoil the overall look.


M

BMW had a glass-entombed display of the key hardware comprising the twin-turbo gasoline V8 that will power the 2009 X6. There are some unique details in the layout of the turbos that caught my eye as I wandered onto their stand.



Look carefully. The turbos are located between the cylinder banks, and the exhaust manifolds that feed them likewise take residence in the "vee" of the engine.

Every other modern gasoline vee engine (V8, V6, etc.) routes the exhaust out the other side of each cylinder bank and uses the space in the vee for the intake and fuel system hardware.

Why the reversal? Packaging. The turbos and associated exhaust hardware would normally occupy more real estate elsewhere in the engine bay.



Furthermore, turbocharged engines can generally get away with intake manifolding of less internal volume than those found on normally aspirated engines. BMW took full advantage of the packaging implications of this by switching the location of the intake and exhaust manifolds.

(The black plastic on the outside of the engine in the picture above is the intake manifold for one of the banks of cylinders. Sorry for the glare on the glass; it was unavoidable.)

By locating the small intake manifolds on the outside on the engine, and the comparatively large turbos and exhaust manifolds on the inside, the entire engine package ends up more compact than it would be otherwise. -- Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor, Inside Line


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M