BMW X6

 BMW has always been a company that has drawn on their history of motor sports competition. For decades their sedans and coupes promised buyers a balance of sport and comfort that struck a chord with drivers the world over. However, as the 90’s began to draw to a close, BMW seemed to shift their focus towards offering greater levels of luxury at the expense of some of the fun that had been embodied in even their entry-level offerings. This coincided with BMW’s decision to sell more vehicles in the U.S. than they had previously done. While the M division continued to pump out steroidal sports versions of their sedans, for the first time BMW decided to offering a sport utility vehicle, the X5. Their understanding the American market was that customers wanted to purchase a truck-like BMW that could offer them performance and off-road ability at the same time. The success of the X5 has lead BMW to further explore the market with the 2008 BMW X6.


Avoiding the use of the term SUV, the X6 has been termed an ‘SAC’ by it’s manufacturer, or ‘Sport Activity Coupe. While this word game is most likely fooling no one, it does point to the different direction taken with the X6 when compared to the X5. To begin with the vehicle sports a less boxy, more aerodynamic look similar to the Infiniti FX series, with a long, curved roofline sloping down to meet an arched rear hatch. The first visual impression is distinctly car-like, and BMW claims that the goal was to create a vehicle that was a combination of coupe and crossover. The long hood is certainly reminiscent of the 6-series coupe, while the angular, indented sides give an impression of brute truck strength.

The heart of that implied power can be found under the hood, where a 4.4 liter twin turbo V8 produces 407 horsepower - more than enough for either pulling a trailer to the lake or drag racing for pink slips down at the local track. The X6 can go from zero to sixty miles per hour in only 5.3 seconds, quicker than many sport sedans. The direct-injection motor also generates 450 lb-feet of torque, which should pull even the largest stump out of the ground. A six-speed automatic handles the shifting duties, and torque is managed by something BMW calls ‘Dynamic Performance Control’, a system which can control the amount of torque at each of the drive wheels – the X6 is all-wheel drive, of course. The DPC is active at all times, and doesn’t just react to low-traction situations, but is also a factor in maintaining vehicle stability during high-speed cornering through power management. A twin-turbo 6 cylinder motor making 300 horsepower is also available as the base engine in the X6.

The interior of the X6 can only be described as sumptuous. Surprisingly, given it’s size, the X6 only seats four in a 2+2 configuration, but it does so with the standard luxury appointments: leather seats, a full-length center console splitting the entire vehicle, and special knee pads located on the center console intended to help the driver and front passenger brace themselves during quick maneuvers. Out back the X6 boasts 25.6 cubic feat of storage space, more than enough to haul all of your camping, fishing or sports gear. The rear seats fold down and a rear cargo cover is also offered in order to protect the contents of your X6 from prying eyes.

It remains to be seen if there is a large enough market for a ‘Sports Activity Coupe’. BMW claims that surveys have told them drivers prefer to have a commanding view of the road from a tall seating position, but as to whether they also need a luxury-performance truck to give them that, no one is certain.

State-of-art powertrain tchnology.

• 4.4 liter 32-valve turbocharged V8 engine with
aluminum engine block. 4 overhead camshefts & Double-VANOS variable valve timing, 400hp
• 6-speed Spon Automatic transmission
• Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters
• 0-60 mph in 5.3 sec.

Setting new standards In handling & traction.

• xDrive-electronically controlled all-wheel drive system with variable front/rear torque split & dynamic control
• Dynamic Performance Control
• Four-wheel anti-loc disk brakes with Dynamic Stability, Traction and Brake control
• 19-in alloy wheels with run-flat all seasson tires

Distinctive BMW SAV look & functionality

• Xenon Adaptive headlights with auto-leveling
• Power / heated exterior mirrors with auti tilt-down
• Dynamic Cruise Control
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers

Inner values: elegance, space and versatility.

• Leather-wrapped power tilt / telescopic steering wheel
• 2O-way power front seats with memory system for driver's seat, steering wheel & exterior mirror memory
• Nevada Leather upholstery
• Wood trim
• Hi-fi 12 speaker AM / FM / CD audio system with MP3 capability & diversity antena
• Naviahon system with voice command and RTTI
• Moonrool

Safety & security.

• Front-impact & front side-impact airbags
• Front & rear seat Head Protection System
• Front safety-belt tensioners & force limiters
• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Brake Drying. Brake Stand-by, Brake Fade Compensation, and Start-off Assistant
• AdaptMt Brake Lights
• Park Distance Control
• Tire pressure monitor

Maintenance included for 4 years.

• BMW Ultimated Service for 4 years / 50,000 miles

BMW once again introduces a gnund-breaking idea to the automotive world and creates a new segment with debut of its all-new X6 Sports Activity Coupe.

The all-new vehicle combines coupe-like roof line, performance and ahility with five doors, four sculpted seats a higher ride and loads of cargo space, taking the coupe concept to a higher level.

Featured For the first time as standard in the BMW X6, Dynamic Performance Control Incorporates an innovative rear difterential with two planetary gearsets and two clutch packs that can help steer the vehicle by directing torque to either of the rear wheels. This cutting-edge technology is effective whether the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating and significantly enhances steering precision and, as a result, the agility of the vehicle at any speed. In fast corners with abrupt steering maneuvers or with the driver suddenly releasing the gas pedal. Dynamic Performance Control serves to Improve the stability of the entire vehicle, thus allowing the driver to safely enjoy new dimensions of driving dynarnics. A display in the instrument duster informs the driver about the current distribution level of torque via a bar dagram.

The BMW X6 comes standard with BMW’s intelligent xDnve all-wheel-drive technology with electronic control for variable distribution of drive power between the front and rear axles, consistently adjusted to driving conditions at all times and in all situations.