An arguably more stylish, marginally bigger, better performing and significantly more efficient second-generation BMW X6 will go on sale later this year following its planned public premier at the Moscow auto show in August.
The coupe-like SUV that pioneered a new and lucrative market niche when it was launched back in 2008 has been comprehensively re-engineered for 2014. A move aimed at seeing the new X6 retain its competitive edge against a bevy of new rivals, including the latest Range Rover Sport and an upcoming production version of the Mercedes-Benz Concept Coupe SUV set for launch next year.
While it comes with increased standard equipment levels, including bi-xenon headlights, 19-inch alloys, automatic tailgate operation and an eight-speed automatic gearbox with steering wheel shift paddles, prices are not expected to increase much on the outgoing first generation X6, which starts at $60,800 for the entry level model, the xDrive35i.
Despite a slow start in the midst of a global financial downturn, the X6 has proven highly successful. BMW claims global sales of over 250,000 – or an annual average of over 40,000 throughout its six-year production cycle, leaving the new model, known under the internal codename F16, with a tough act to follow.
The second-generation X6 was developed hand-in-hand with the recently introduced third-generation X5, with which it shares its mechanical package and will be produced alongside at BMW's factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina
The styling of the new SUV has been advanced in an evolutionary approach that sees it retain a similar silhouette and familiar features such as its large liftback tailgate as its predecessor. Distinguishing touches include a bolder front end with a more prominent kidney grille and angular headlamps that continue into the chrome surround of the grille to emphasize the width.
A heavily contoured front bumper, which features so-called air curtain ducts on the lower outer edges, channels air through the front wheel houses to an air blade duct placed behind the front wheel arches to improve aerodynamic efficiency and provide the new X6 with a 0.32 Cd – an improvement on the older model's 0.33 Cd .
The body of the new SUV receives a more structured look than its predecessor, with added contouring on the hood, a more pronounced shoulder line and an added feature line over the rear wheel arches – the clearly aimed at providing it providing it with visual ties to the smaller and cheaper X4.
The second-generation X6 has grown slightly over its predecessor, but not as much as earlier disguised prototypes of the new SUV had suggested. At 193.3 inches in length, 78.3 inches in width and 67.0 inches in height, it is 1.3 inches longer, 0.2 inches wider and 0.5 inches higher than the first generation X6.
Mercedes-Benz suggests the upcoming production version of the Concept Coupe SUV revealed at the recent Beijing motor show will stretch to 194.3 inches in length, 80.5 inches in width and 68.5 inches in height, indicating it will be larger in every external dimension than the new BMW.
Despite the moderate increase in external dimensions, the X6 now boasts a slightly smaller footprint than before. At 76.1 inches, the wheelbase has been reduced by 0.1 inches. The front track is also 0.2 inches narrower at 1640 mm, while the rear track is virtually identical, according to BMW's own figures, at 67.2 inches.
Although the floorpan continues with high tensile steel, BMW has provided the body of the new X6 with an aluminum hood and composite plastic front fenders. Together with other measures, including a magnesium dashboard carrier, this sees the new model hit the scales 44 pounds below that of the old model in top of the line xDrive50i guise despite the higher equipment levels.
Inside, the new BMW receives a newly styled dashboard, more heavily contoured seats and luxurious trims – much of which is shared with the latest X5. Features such as black panel instruments, a free standing monitor up to 10.8 inches in diameter, brushed aluminum highlights and a range of oak wood applications aim to provide the new X6 with a more up-market feel than the existing model.
Trunk space has increased, but only modestly. With 20.4 cubic feet, the new X6 offers 3.5 cu-ft more luggage capacity below its cargo blind than its predecessor with its newly configured 40:20:40 rear seats in place. Capacity increases to 53.9 cu ft, or 2.6 cu-ft more than before, with the seats folded and stowed. An optional trailer coupling now comes with a swiveling ball head, allowing a towing capacity of up to 7716 pounds.
BMW has revealed three engines for the new X6 – one petrol and two diesels, although officials at its Munich headquarters in Germany suggest only one is planned to offered in the U.S.
All engines are mated to a standard eight-speed automatic gearbox featuring a common 3.154:1 final drive ratio and BMW's xDrive four-wheel-drive system that can be enhanced with a Dynamic Performance Control option that adds an electronically controlled torque vectoring function for added traction.
Crowning the line-up at launch will be the xDrive50i running a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 direct injected gasoline engine. Set to underpin North American sales, it now packs 42 hp and 37 lb-ft more than before, with 443 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm.
This is sufficient to propel the range-topping X6 from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.8 seconds, 0.6 seconds faster than its predecessor. Top speed continues to be limited to 155 mph, but with a range of new fuel saving features, including an electro-mechanical steering system in place of the older hydraulically operated setup used before, combined cycle consumption has improved by 5.4 mpg at an official 24.2 mpg on the European test cycle.
Also planned for the X6 in selected markets, but not to be made available in the US, is a pair of diesel engines, including BMW's widely used turbocharged 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder. It provides the new X6 xDrive30d with 13 hp and 15 lb-ft of torque more than before, with 254 hp and 413 lb-ft at 1,500 rpm. This translates into a 0-62-mph time that has improved by 0.7 seconds at 6.7 seconds, 6 mph higher top speed at 143 mph and a 7.3 mpg improvement in combined cycle consumption at 39.1 mpg, also on the European cycle.
Rounding out the line-up is the X6 M50d, which receives the same tri-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel as its predecessor. With 376 hp and stout 545 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm, it now possesses a 0-62 time of 5.2 seconds and limited 155-mph top speed along with combined cycle consumption that has improved by 5.1 mpg to 35.6 mpg.
In spring 2015, BMW plans to add successors to the xDrive35i and xDrive40d to the new X6 lineup. The former is planned to receive an updated version of BMW's turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine boasting the same 306 hp as the outgoing model, while the latter runs a more heavily tuned version of the xDrive30d's turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel engine with an added 7 hp to 309 hp.
BMW is already talking up the dynamic properties of the new X6, suggesting it improves on the already impressive on-road traits of its predecessor. It is underpinned by a newly developed aluminum-intensive chassis featuring a combination of double wishbones up front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear. A reduction in unsprung masses are claimed to provide added agility and improved response.
Buyers can choose between three packages: Comfort, Dynamic and Professional – all featuring adaptive damping control. The new electro-mechanical steering system comes standard with Servotronic speed sensing assistance but can be upgraded to include an Active Steering option that automatically adjusts the ratio to speed.
The coupe-like SUV that pioneered a new and lucrative market niche when it was launched back in 2008 has been comprehensively re-engineered for 2014. A move aimed at seeing the new X6 retain its competitive edge against a bevy of new rivals, including the latest Range Rover Sport and an upcoming production version of the Mercedes-Benz Concept Coupe SUV set for launch next year.
While it comes with increased standard equipment levels, including bi-xenon headlights, 19-inch alloys, automatic tailgate operation and an eight-speed automatic gearbox with steering wheel shift paddles, prices are not expected to increase much on the outgoing first generation X6, which starts at $60,800 for the entry level model, the xDrive35i.
Despite a slow start in the midst of a global financial downturn, the X6 has proven highly successful. BMW claims global sales of over 250,000 – or an annual average of over 40,000 throughout its six-year production cycle, leaving the new model, known under the internal codename F16, with a tough act to follow.
The second-generation X6 was developed hand-in-hand with the recently introduced third-generation X5, with which it shares its mechanical package and will be produced alongside at BMW's factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina
The styling of the new SUV has been advanced in an evolutionary approach that sees it retain a similar silhouette and familiar features such as its large liftback tailgate as its predecessor. Distinguishing touches include a bolder front end with a more prominent kidney grille and angular headlamps that continue into the chrome surround of the grille to emphasize the width.
A heavily contoured front bumper, which features so-called air curtain ducts on the lower outer edges, channels air through the front wheel houses to an air blade duct placed behind the front wheel arches to improve aerodynamic efficiency and provide the new X6 with a 0.32 Cd – an improvement on the older model's 0.33 Cd .
The body of the new SUV receives a more structured look than its predecessor, with added contouring on the hood, a more pronounced shoulder line and an added feature line over the rear wheel arches – the clearly aimed at providing it providing it with visual ties to the smaller and cheaper X4.
The second-generation X6 has grown slightly over its predecessor, but not as much as earlier disguised prototypes of the new SUV had suggested. At 193.3 inches in length, 78.3 inches in width and 67.0 inches in height, it is 1.3 inches longer, 0.2 inches wider and 0.5 inches higher than the first generation X6.
Mercedes-Benz suggests the upcoming production version of the Concept Coupe SUV revealed at the recent Beijing motor show will stretch to 194.3 inches in length, 80.5 inches in width and 68.5 inches in height, indicating it will be larger in every external dimension than the new BMW.
Despite the moderate increase in external dimensions, the X6 now boasts a slightly smaller footprint than before. At 76.1 inches, the wheelbase has been reduced by 0.1 inches. The front track is also 0.2 inches narrower at 1640 mm, while the rear track is virtually identical, according to BMW's own figures, at 67.2 inches.
Although the floorpan continues with high tensile steel, BMW has provided the body of the new X6 with an aluminum hood and composite plastic front fenders. Together with other measures, including a magnesium dashboard carrier, this sees the new model hit the scales 44 pounds below that of the old model in top of the line xDrive50i guise despite the higher equipment levels.
Inside, the new BMW receives a newly styled dashboard, more heavily contoured seats and luxurious trims – much of which is shared with the latest X5. Features such as black panel instruments, a free standing monitor up to 10.8 inches in diameter, brushed aluminum highlights and a range of oak wood applications aim to provide the new X6 with a more up-market feel than the existing model.
Trunk space has increased, but only modestly. With 20.4 cubic feet, the new X6 offers 3.5 cu-ft more luggage capacity below its cargo blind than its predecessor with its newly configured 40:20:40 rear seats in place. Capacity increases to 53.9 cu ft, or 2.6 cu-ft more than before, with the seats folded and stowed. An optional trailer coupling now comes with a swiveling ball head, allowing a towing capacity of up to 7716 pounds.
BMW has revealed three engines for the new X6 – one petrol and two diesels, although officials at its Munich headquarters in Germany suggest only one is planned to offered in the U.S.
All engines are mated to a standard eight-speed automatic gearbox featuring a common 3.154:1 final drive ratio and BMW's xDrive four-wheel-drive system that can be enhanced with a Dynamic Performance Control option that adds an electronically controlled torque vectoring function for added traction.
Crowning the line-up at launch will be the xDrive50i running a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 direct injected gasoline engine. Set to underpin North American sales, it now packs 42 hp and 37 lb-ft more than before, with 443 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm.
This is sufficient to propel the range-topping X6 from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.8 seconds, 0.6 seconds faster than its predecessor. Top speed continues to be limited to 155 mph, but with a range of new fuel saving features, including an electro-mechanical steering system in place of the older hydraulically operated setup used before, combined cycle consumption has improved by 5.4 mpg at an official 24.2 mpg on the European test cycle.
Also planned for the X6 in selected markets, but not to be made available in the US, is a pair of diesel engines, including BMW's widely used turbocharged 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder. It provides the new X6 xDrive30d with 13 hp and 15 lb-ft of torque more than before, with 254 hp and 413 lb-ft at 1,500 rpm. This translates into a 0-62-mph time that has improved by 0.7 seconds at 6.7 seconds, 6 mph higher top speed at 143 mph and a 7.3 mpg improvement in combined cycle consumption at 39.1 mpg, also on the European cycle.
Rounding out the line-up is the X6 M50d, which receives the same tri-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel as its predecessor. With 376 hp and stout 545 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm, it now possesses a 0-62 time of 5.2 seconds and limited 155-mph top speed along with combined cycle consumption that has improved by 5.1 mpg to 35.6 mpg.
In spring 2015, BMW plans to add successors to the xDrive35i and xDrive40d to the new X6 lineup. The former is planned to receive an updated version of BMW's turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine boasting the same 306 hp as the outgoing model, while the latter runs a more heavily tuned version of the xDrive30d's turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel engine with an added 7 hp to 309 hp.
BMW is already talking up the dynamic properties of the new X6, suggesting it improves on the already impressive on-road traits of its predecessor. It is underpinned by a newly developed aluminum-intensive chassis featuring a combination of double wishbones up front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear. A reduction in unsprung masses are claimed to provide added agility and improved response.
Buyers can choose between three packages: Comfort, Dynamic and Professional – all featuring adaptive damping control. The new electro-mechanical steering system comes standard with Servotronic speed sensing assistance but can be upgraded to include an Active Steering option that automatically adjusts the ratio to speed.
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