Oh goodness that rear!
You either love it or hate it. I happen to love the rear of the BMW X6. Maybe I’m odd, maybe I’m a genius…but yeah, it goes tend to polarise. The front end on the other end (so to speak), seems more universally acceptable. Some people say it hunches too much, but that’s the point of it!
Not a very common concept though overall.
The concept of a coupe SUV (sport utility vehicle) is pretty new. In fact you could say BMW has invented this segment. A coupe SUV is basically an SUV (or SAV as Beemer call their SUVs) with characteristics of both SUV and a coupe sedan. The X6 with its high ride, 4WD system called xDrive, and dimensions, falls within the SUV category. But it also is a coupe because it only sits four passengers, has a sloping rear roof and handles better than most sedans. You can see it almost resembles a non-existent four-door 6 Series.
What’s the point though?
As you grow older you want different things from a car. A guy with a family who wants an expensive luxury coupe but can’t give in to the space and usability limits of a normal two-door coupe, might consider something like the X6.
But does it really drive like a sedan? I mean it’s so big, how can it?
It won’t drive exactly like a BMW sedan of course, because it sits so high above the ground. It’s like expecting the Carlton Centre to handle like a Lotus Exige. But it’s the best handling SUV on the market today. It certainly takes you pretty close to the feeling of driving a coupe. Thanks to a new system called
Dynamic Performance Control (DPC) which splits torque between all four individual wheels, handling is very much improved from say, an X5.
Can you take it off-road?
No. Although the X6 is a 4x4 by virtue of it being fitted with the xDrive AWD system, a number of other mechanicals that would suit off-road bundu bashing are missing. One such is a low-range gearbox. The other is off-road tyres since it comes with runflats. Even the spare is a runflat. Certainly like other BMWs with xDrive it will tackle gravel roads exceptionally well. Even snow and ice aren’t difficult to deal with when it comes to the X6.
Ok. Power time!
I had the one BMW opted to plug the twin turbo 3.0-litre diesel engine that makes a solid 210kW / 282bhp and massive 580Nm of torque into. It’s a very tractable powerplant that seems to have ample power right across the rev range. Quite a few hot hatches and top end sedans will be embarrassed by this X6. Its 6-speed automatic gearbox is quick on the change and makes driving seamless.
Comfort
The car comes with many standard features and a lot more optional extras. Things like iDrive (which I really like), MP3 player socket, 4-zone automatic aircon, an electrically-operated boot lid are great comfort creatures next to the usual of power steering, leather seats, electric mirrors and front seats as well as bi-xenon headlights. You can also tick things like park distance control and satellite navigation (which works with iDrive).
Is it worth the money?
I can’t really answer that, suffice to say there is a waiting list on the car here in Mzansi while worldwide the X6 has sold out in most markets since launch. That should tell you how many people are willing to part with that kind of money for this kind of car. It also tells other luxury manufacturers that there is a market for this type of vehicle, even in these trying times.
QUICK STATS
ENGINE: 3.0-litre straight six, twin turbos
POWER: 210kW / 282bhp at 4400rpm; 580Nm at 1750rpm
0 – 100KM/H: 7.5 seconds
GEARBOX: 6-speed automatic
TOP SPEED: 250km/h limited
FUEL AVERAGE: 11.5 l/100km
CO2 e: 220 g/km
PRICE: R724 000
NATURAL RIVALS: None
*PRICE RIVALS: Audi Q7 4.2 TDI, BMW M3 M-DCT sedan, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, Porsche Boxster S Tiptronic, Mercedes-Benz E500 Estate, Volvo XC90 4.4 V8
BABE-MAGNETIC FACTOR: Very High
*A price rival falls within R20 000 or so of the subject’s price on either side of its price spectrum.
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