German Car Zone

For: Excellent turbodiesel engine, impressive dynamic ability, quality interior

Against: Conspicuous image, price of options, poor fuel economy


[i]Background

This is BMW’s third X model. Its first was the X5, in 1999, which it claimed was the first Sports Activity Vehicle, because it was meant to be — and was, in truth — a decent drive on the road. That was followed by the X3 in 2003.

BMW didn’t show a concept of the X6 until the Frankfurt motor show in 2007. The production car had its debut at Geneva in March 2008, and BMW has already sold its first year’s allocation of the new X6.

It is, the company claims, a Sports Activity Coupé, and it will shake up the posh SUV market in the same way the X5 did 10 years ago. Think of it, really, as BMW’s tall answer to the Mercedes-Benz CLS. It’s largely the same as the car on which it’s based (the E-class in the Mercedes’ case, the X5 here), only with rather more design flair and quite a lot less practicality.

Because of the way it looked, the CLS was generally very well received. With the X6, mostly because of the growing opposition to SUVs, BMW may have a rather different battle on its hands. To many it won’t make any difference that the 3.0-litre diesel version we’re testing here uses less fuel and emits less carbon dioxide than a 2.5-litre petrol Ford Mondeo.

That, of course, is an issue for BMW and the X6’s buyers, but this road test has a rather simpler job: to find out if the X6 is actually any good.

Source and more information:
BMW X6 xDrive35d - Autocar.co.uk


M

Which limited interior space you idiots?????

And yes, the world does need such car apparently, check sales numbers you ***********!!!
3 words: W T F ????

Not quite sure just where these guys drive these cars if in fact they actually do!!!, found that report nothing short of "A load of crap".
I have driven over 200 miles in this car with the 35D engine( mines on order) and find the car drives every bit as well as my 635DS on all but very poor roads, my economy on a brand new car with 20 miles showing on the clock was 30 MPG, yes if driven around town all day it will be lower, but so will all big diesel engines, my second drive of the same car with 400 miles showing on the clock, gave 36 MPG and I saw 39 mpg at one point cruising.
This car had 20" wheels and NO sus/steering aids.

It drove very well around the twisty stuff and has huge street cred.
The suspension only moans a bit on real rough road finishs, but this is mostly the huge tyres. Certainly not a problem as I can see unless you drive on farm tracks all day.

If the car is being "Tested" then I would expect a lower than norman fuel usage as the car is being pushed all the time, this of course will not be taken into account by the tester which is not going to give a truer indication of general usage.
Rant over
If you are keen on this car, please go drive one for more than 10 mins and then see what you think.

I saw the X6 (silver, 19") for the first time yesterday in the company garage... Damn! That car is beautiful! What presence! Easily the best looking SUV on the market today.

Are you having a violent outburst...lol? I think they mean cargo space compared to a normal SUV. A fair gripe IMO, though such a person is looking at the wrong vehicle.

M

Yes i do. I'm sick of hearing such complaints.

But i'm most angry that 1st they say how it drives great and just 2 sentences after it doesn't drive like it should!

Right.

Don't worry about it. Rob says I have the same problem when any of the VW-based Bentleys are presented...lol.

M

No seriously, how can a person be that stupid...?

[quote=Tycoon;307250]Which limited interior space you idiots?????

And yes, the world does need such car apparently, check sales numbers you ***********!!!


3 words: W T F ????

Tycoon, These "Auto Journalist" just don't get it.... I've followed the development of the X6 from it's very earliest days. From the time my neighbor returned from Munich 3.5 years ago ( he is a Dept Mgr at the Plant here in SC) and described the clay prototype he had viewed,I've been a huge fan of the concept.The X6 was never aimed at the traditional "SUV" buyer in the first place.It was aimed at Sports Car Enthusiast who need more room and don't necessarily want to own two cars to get their "performance driving thrills".The comparsion to the X5 was never the correct comparison.The only correct comparsion to the X5 is that they share the same platform....that's it between the X5 and X6.I considered an X5 before I decided on my X3.Had not the X3 been available...I would have left the brand...the X5 is just to "Trucky" for me and sedans are to "small" for my lifestyle.These "Auto Journalist" fall into the "Traditionalist-Elitist" camp,people who still cling to the belief that BMW and for that matter all performance car companies should build only " Sporty Sedans". Those days are gone forever......i.e. Porshe.To survive in the Global Economy car companies must build what people want.I have as much of a right to drive a very sporty high performance X6 as somebody else has a right to drive an M3.Unfortunately, because they all wear blinders,a lot of Auto Enthusiast will never "get" the concept behind the X6.Thanks! PalBay

Video:

Autocar Videos - Autocar.co.uk


M