Gavin Green's impression about the new X6

castagna · **Gavin Green's impression about the new X6 -** 01-26-2008, 11:08 AM

He's not very convinced by this new "SAC" concept

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gavin Green

First official pictures
14 January 2008 01:34
Affluent German makers now try the shotgun rather than the sniper’s approach to new model sectors – fire enough speculative models out into the market, and some are sure to hit the target. We’ve had sports activity vehicles, urban activity vehicles and just about every other type of crazy crossover as carefully focused as a blunderbuss. Now BMW invents yet another niche – the sports activity coupé.
What exactly does that mean?
It’s summed up by the new X6, unveiled today in Detroit. BMW says it mixes the driving brio of a sports car with the practicality of an SUV: X5 meets 3-series coupé. With its new ‘Dynamic Performance Control’ – a clever rear diff that apportions torque side-to-side to improve traction and handling – and new top-end twin-turbo 408bhp V8, it may well be the world’s sportiest 4x4.
But that’s about as meaningless as the world’s roomiest coupé (or the world’s sportiest semi-articulated lorry). If you want a sports car, don’t buy a vehicle that’s closer in dimensions to a Ford Transit than a Ferrari.
So how practical is the X6?
Not very. It has four seats only – not very clever in a two-ton-plus vehicle with a bigger footprint than an X5 – and rear seat room is absurdly cramped for a car so long and tall. What’s more, although it’s a four-door (and not a proper coupé), the back seat is awkward to climb into (or out of).
Carrying versatility is less than many smaller hatchbacks. The backrests fold down increasing boot space – and that’s it for seating gymnastics. You sit lower than in an X5 – ‘to increase the sporty feel’. Yet the weight, wheelbase, fascia and diesel engines (the big sellers in Europe) are the same as in the X5.
So, contrary to the goal, this crossover seems to marry the practicality of a 3-series coupé with the performance of an X5. The X6 comes to a UK school run near you in May, priced from £41,955.
They say: Invents a whole new category of SUV
We say: Sports futility vehicle
CAR verdict: 2/5

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Edit: Thanks for deleting the other thread.

DocM · **Re: Gavin Green's impression about the new X6 -** 01-26-2008, 11:44 AM

I'd have to agree with him.

Sorry BMW not sold!

JadeVetti · **Re: Gavin Green's impression about the new X6 -** 01-27-2008, 02:07 AM

Like he said, "Coming to a (UK) school run near you".

More women will want this, he got that right

.

Tycoon · **Re: Gavin Green's impression about the new X6 -** 01-27-2008, 02:19 AM

With all due respect, Mr. Gavin, SMD!

castagna · **Re: Gavin Green's impression about the new X6 -** 01-27-2008, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tycoon

With all due respect, Mr. Gavin, SMD!

What?

Just_me · 02:38 PM

Our member DoctorD has one on order and he explained why he ordered a X6.
And yeah, he also own a M3 CSL and a ML63 and one of them will be sold for the X6, if I recall correctly.

DoctorD · **Re: Gavin Green's impression about the new X6 -** 01-27-2008, 06:28 AM

For many journalists this kind of 'new car' presents them with a philosophical challenge, that really doesn't matter that much to those of us who buy cars.

I work with the motoring press (as a hobby) and see a lot of the internal industry politics. I have also commentated on this to the marketing press from within my own industry (I'm a marketing consultant).

BMW (as with many other german firms) presents quite an arrogant persona to many of the anglo-saxon press, which isn't helped by coming up with new naming classifications such as SAC (which really gets up the noses of the british press in particular). Culturally we are at odds with the germans and some of the old school journos feel compelled to argue (intellectually) against it.

From the perspective of those of us who the X6 is aimed at. It is 'just' another shape of SUV, but this time less dynamically compromised and with more creative expression than the usual boxy SUV design. If you don't need a 5th seat (which I don't) then it still provides more boot/trunk space than my ML, and I like the fact that it will look less incongruous on the road (i.e. looking more car-like than a typical 4x4).

It really appeals to me because it will do everything I can do with my current SUV, but for the first time in over 30 years it will actually look different and provide a noticeably different driving experience. The change is good - and I predict will cause a shake-up within other manufacturers leading to new and more innovated designs within the SUV sector.

I am disappointed that most of the established journos have failed to realise this need for change, and the influence that the X6 is likely to have in triggering this.

The end result should be more choice for us (the customer) which is always a good thing, but I still believe that the X6 on its own will be far more successful than some people realise.

Steve

Bartek Sikorski · **Re: Gavin Green's impression about the new X6 -** 01-27-2008, 10:11 AM

What a stupid article. Who is Gavin Green? En other Brit who hates BMW. I think in general they don’t like bemers probably because company damped British car industry (Rover). Anyhow, his article is rated 2/5 which reflects reader’s reactions.
Quote - “ Affluent German makers now try the shotgun rather than the sniper’s approach to new model sectors – fire enough speculative models out into the market, and some are sure to hit the target.” – That clearly shows influence of 2-nd World War.
Quote - “BMW says it mixes the driving brio of a sports car with the practicality of an SUV: X5 meets 3-series coupé. With its new ‘Dynamic Performance Control’ – a clever rear diff that apportions torque side-to-side to improve traction and handling – and new top-end twin-turbo 408bhp V8, it may well be the world’s sportiest 4x4.” Only positive comment about this beauty.
Quote - “But that’s about as meaningless as the world’s roomiest coupé (or the world’s sportiest semi-articulated lorry). If you want a sports car, don’t buy a vehicle that’s closer in dimensions to a Ford Transit than a Ferrari.” Answer is simple, in England there is no winter so they don’t need sport 4X4 but I wouldn’t mind and tell me how often you drive in your car 5 persons?
What about this - X6 Named "Best Production Truck" At Eyes On Design Awards.

Centurion · **Re: Gavin Green's impression about the new X6 -** 01-27-2008, 10:23 AM

I agree, very pessimistic review. Did the dude even drive the car???

mc_blue · **Re: Gavin Green's impression about the new X6 -** 01-27-2008, 10:30 AM

DoctorD - great post. Is the Z4 Coupe still running well?