BMW's six-y 4x4
BMW is pushing the boundaries of the SUV segment with its new coupe-cum-4x4 X6, seen properly for the first time in these official pictures. The new car will be launched at the Detroit show in January and then goes on sale in the UK later in the spring.
The X6 is the first car to use BMW's new twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine, which produces 407bhp and 443lb ft of mid-range torque. This engine replaces the 4.8i V8 and is a more frugal engine thanks to combined economy of 22.6mpg in the X6. Emissions of 299g/km are lower than most rivals' and the X6 xDrive50i has a top speed of 155mph, as well as cracking 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds.
Other engines to be offered in the X6 range include BMW's existing twin-turbo six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. With 306- and 286bhp respectively for the petrol and diesel, these models both cover 0-62mph in less than 7.0 seconds and have top speeds of 150mph. There will also be a 235bhp 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine on offer as the entry point to the X6 line-up.
The X6 is based on the same platform as the X5, but is longer, wider and lower than its sister model. BMW hopes to tackle the Porsche Cayenne on the handling front, while the X6's interior offers space for four thanks to two individual rear seats to underline its coupe pretensions. There's a decent boot of 570-litres that extends up to 1,450-litres with the rear seats folded.
Sales in the UK begin in the late spring and prices are expected to start at £42,000 for the entry-level turbodiesel.
Alisdair Suttie
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