German Car Zone

Goodness - is that a fact Eni? I expected something radical in the X6 but this is very - ahem - adventurous. Proportions can't be exact - I expect those monster wheels to come down in size. Do you know what the ground clearance is?

So, here we go; we've had crossover cars for years now:
A coupé crossed with a saloon = RX-8, CLS, Rapide, Panamera
An off-roader crossed with a wagon = Forester, Outback, allroad, X5, Q7 et al
...as examples

In other words, the combination of two automobile genres.

Here the X6 combines 3 genres: coupé with saloon with SUV. Crossover (to the power of 3) it appears. Astonishing. This is a first if I recall?

People, what do you make of this? Does the world really need a car that combines 3 elements and ends up looking... odd? Where will manufacturers draw the line I wonder?

1. no
2. not untill they run out of led.

It has been said many times by me & Scott, that xCoupe had an agenda. And that SAC vehicles will have design inspiration in xCoupe general shape.

Like I said: details are off. Also the proportions - since of course X6 will be bigger than the X4, and the wheels will look smaller (otherwise at least 23" wheels will be necessary).

Customer base: all the rich poseurs.

Eg. in Europe many people are buying Q7 due coupe look - not due available space. It's eg the same case with Infiniti FX in US. So, expect X6 to be even more popular among jet-setters, since it will not just look very imposing but will also drive like a true coupe.

Can't wait, man, can't wait...

Now then Eni - really - that's just marketing speak and you know it. A car with a high centre of gravity (it may be low for an SAC - but far higher than a CLS or 6er) is definitely not going to be a true "coupé-like handler". That's like saying my Forester handles like a WRX. It doesn't.

No, as with all of BMW sports activity vehicles its dynamic ability will be disguised by overly wide rubber giving a flattering impression of handling prowess - only to be rescued by the DTC/DSC should the high limits of adhesion be overcome. This is the key ingredient in the perceived "good handling" of the BMW SAV's. Put them on skinnier, more multi-purpose tyres (the stuff that goes on useful SUVs) and I guarantee you that handling will be less illustrious.

In my carefully considered opinion of course...

All BMW Concepts have agendas from the Turbo in the early seventies giving the template for the classic M1 , Just as The CS1 lays a very exciting future.
X Coupe they thought we were crazy , the press hated it , rival designers were anticipating the demise of BMW after it's XCoupe horror show - We proved them wrong .

What you are seeing here is the basic shape for the X6 and how it will appear- as individual , unique and challenging. For it's anticipation why have rivals registered Q6 and GLC? They know it's coming...

Look at the new X5 and with the 20" wheels and you can see that they do not completely fill the arches , remember what you are seeing is a digital manipulation of the forthcoming vehicle so some details are exaggerated.
The front is more aggressive and the shoulder line begins on the surface and enters a groove which will form the air intake. BMW's design has lately been about surface work now we begin to delve into the surface by giving the appeareance of melted steel.

In the marketing BMW analysts travelled to Wintersports destinations in europe and found out that for every top line SUV or SAV the owner had a premium sedan or a coupe or similar sports car in their garage back home.
This is where the combination works a perfromance coupe with the capability and luggage space as a SAV etc. In which the X6 will be three cars in one - Performance car ,Sport Activity Vehicle and premium luxury vehicle.

X6 is the reason why BMW are not considering an X5-M .

Are you saying the X6 will be more performance oriented?

Featuring upcoming V8 turbo with 400+ PS, and M version featuring (at least) 507HP V10 are quite solid proofs X6 will be very performance oriented. Not to mention performance diesel engines like 286HP I6 VTT.



SAC segment will be a fresh addition to luxury car market, just like 4dr coupe segment is.

I think there is something already on the market like the X6, the Infiniti FX35 and FX45 models. They're not really that practical and offer a overly sporting driving experience disguised as an SUV.

M

Kind a. Yet FX is what I would call a true Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV).

But X6 will be much more coupeish in appearence. Also Infiniti will launch its true SAC vehicle soon (Mk2 FX, or a new model ???). Something looking much more like the original 2001 FX Concept which was a true SAC, and an inspiration for X6: