Future Models - BMW 2008 X6
First look: Twin-turbo triple treat for BMW X6
Grunt-fest: X6 will offer twin-turbo petrol six, diesel six and petrol V8 power.
Brand-new twin-turbo petrol V8 to headline BMW’s production X6 super-SUV at Detroit
18 December 2007
By MARTON PETTENDY
BMW has trumpeted the production version of its segment-busting X6 "coupe"-SUV, right on cue ahead of its world premiere at the Detroit motor show in January - and its Australian release around July 2008.
Biggest news is not the hulking new super-SUV's faithful transition from Frankfurt (and Sydney) show concept to reality, but official confirmation the four-seater five-door performance crossover will introduce BMW's new twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre petrol V8.
Developed under the banner of EfficientDynamics and featuring the same direct petrol injection (High Precision Injection) system and twin-turbo technology as seen in the 3 Series' twin-turbo six, which powers the entry-level X6, the so-called X6 xDrive50i range-topper packs precisely 300kW at 5500rpm and a healthy 600Nm of torque between 1750 and 4500rpm - yet comes with a relatively frugal EU-cycle fuel consumption figure of 12.5L/100km.
Despite being about an inch longer and two inches wider (but with a roof that's almost four inches lower) than the X5 upon which it's based, BMW claims the top-shelf X6 can sprint to 100km/h in a sportscar-like 5.4 seconds - 1.1 seconds smarter than the flagship X5 4.8i ($118,300).
Not only is BMW's largest, most powerful SUV also its quickest, it finally represents the Munich maker's long-awaited X-model rival for hyper-SUVs like Porsche's Cayenne Turbo ($215,200) and upcoming Cayenne GTS, the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG ($160,874) and the supercharged Range Rover Sport ($136,900).
And then there's the prospect of X6-M, powered by the M5/M6's 5.0-litre V10.
In what's said to be a world-first petrol V8 configuration, the turbochargers and catalytic converters are positioned in the valley between each cylinder block, reducing losses from both intake and exhaust systems and keeping the twin-turbo bent eight compact.
Effectively a six-cylinder version of the xDrive50i and expected to open the model range from at least $90,000 (the X5 opens at $85,000, just shy of the Audi Q7 and Rangie Sport), the xDrive35i muscles up 225kW at 5800rpm and 400Nm from just 1300rpm and all the way to 5000rpm. It's still sports sedan-quick with a 6.7-second 0-100km/h claim and average fuel consumption of 10.9L/100km.
Continuing BMW's curious model naming convention for its "Sports Activity Coupe" or "premium all-wheel drive coupe", the xDrive35d could be the dark horse of the X6 pack, with 210kW at 4400rpm and 580Nm on hand between 1750 and 2250rpm from its 3.0-litre variable twin-turbo diesel - the same engine that will join the X5 engine line-up next year.
In the X6 it consumes just 8.3L/100km but is still enough to send the nearly 4.9-metre-long and two-metre-wide X6 to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds - just two-tenths slower than the petrol six. The X635d should line up against mega-diesels like Audi's new Q7 4.2 TDI ($123,900) and the Volkswagen Touareg V10 ($121,990).
All three twin-turbo engines permanently drive all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with standard steering wheel gearshift paddles, but an intriguing new transmission technology is the standard Dynamic Performance Control feature, which varies torque distribution between the two rear wheels, as well as between the front and rear axles in the same 40/60 front/rear split as the X5).
BMW says the X6 is the world's first vehicle to offer such a stablising function, which it claims is most noticeable during swerve or mid-corner lift-off situations, independent of engine load and drive power.
Of course there is the full compliment of front, side and head airbags, plus crash-activated front head restraints, two-stage brake lights, bi-Xenon headlights with daytime light function, foglights and exclusive 19-inch run-flat "safety" tyres.
If that's not enough, the inevitably extensive and expensive options list will comprise the Adaptive Drive anti-roll and adaptive damping system, active steering, head-up display, adaptive headlights, cornering lights, high-beam assist and cruise control with brake function.
With 570 litres of luggage space available via the top-hinged tailgate with all (four) seats in place, the curvaceous X6 falls just 50 litres short of the X5 and delivers 90 litres more than the X3.
BMW may claim the X6's 944mm-high twin rear seats offer enough comfort and headroom even for tall occupants, but the coupe-like roofline reduces total cargo space (with rear seats stowed) to 1450 litres - 110 less than the X3 and a big 300 litres down on the X5.
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