What would happen if BMW crossed the M6 with an X5? An inbred child that would probably look like this vehicle, what insiders are saying will be the 2008 BMW X6. Much like Mercedes considers its CLS500 a coupe, BMW will also refer to the X6 as a coupe because of its coupe-like roofline, despite the two extra doors. Power will most likely come from a stable of V8 engines and BMW's V10, the latter possibly producing up to 612 horsepower. Mad props must be given to BMW for its WWI tank-like test mule that's been running the 'Ring in Germany. I've never understood why manufacturers don't just slap some slab-sided sheetmetal on a chassis like this when they go to track test a vehicle.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MarkF @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
Does anyone really look at these cars (CLS500 and X6) and think they are coupes? I hear coupe, but I look at it and only see sedan. MB and BMW can call them whatever they want, but that doesn't change what they are. I still like both vehicles in concept and design though.
Sid Ghosh @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
The CLS500 is a sedan so it's OK to call it a coupe, I guess. How do you call a 4-door SUV a coupe?
Jim @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
That thing needs a swastika and a gun turret.
Terp @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
No idea where else to put them.
These are the first official photos of the
new Mercedes S-Class.
http://www.auto-motor-sport.de/d/85285
I thought it is worth posting them somewhere on here.
snod @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
They do just slab on sheetmetal to do testing. That you don't know this demonstrates a lack of automotive industry understanding.
Motorin' @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
Yes, the 4 door "coupe" marketing has got to stop and I wish magazines would stop repeating/reinforcing it. I think I already went off on that in another thread, so I'll spare the full repeat.
Besides the latest marketing B.S. oxymoron of a classification, it looks good. However, based on TCC's picture, the X6 looks so low to the ground that it seems hard to determine its place next to the 5.
Speaking of BMW... Most of the morning has gone by and still no Autoblog post about the US GP yet? The biggest thing in motorsports in awhile and not a word so far.
David Thomas @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
Read the actual story!
"The first development mule is now doing laps at Germany's famous N?rgring. These early development mules have a clever modular frame that allows all weight- (and, therefore, handling-) critical items to be positioned differently and in small steps, in order to find their optimum position for superior road-holding, handling, steering, and comfort. Similarly, the mules offer easy access to the suspension geometry, springs, dampers, and steering, which all can be varied and fine-tuned."
Digant Jariwala @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
The pic on Car Connection gave the impression that is was some April Fools joke. Yeah, I know it is a development mule with the external design not even close to being finalized, but how can you extrapolate the production version from that mule pic?! Final design looks like something a 9 year with photoshop would come up with.
Digant Jariwala @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
Thanks for the link #4. I think the new S class is a disaster, style-wise. Expterior looks like a Lexus LS (yeah, yeah, Lexus copies Benz design, but every S class design was a step forward, not backward). And the interior looks like a close of the BMW 7 series, complete with iDrive.
For shame.
Digant Jariwala @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
Edit to #8
I meant to say, "Final design looks like something a 9 year old kid with photoshop would come up with."
Seth L @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
I'd buy the mule.
At the price this is going to be, there will certainly be a market for someone who wants the newest "unique" thingy. Even if it's a 4x4 four door 'coupe.'
wilsoch @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
So is this going to be kind of like the Subaru Outback sedan? I realize the Outback is a lot cheaper, but it's kind of a soft-roading 4x4 coupe.
Eric Bryant @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
I agree with MarkF's comments about four-door "coupes" - they're not fooling anyone. Instead, one ends up with a monsterous car that's got nearly unusable rear seats due to a lack of headroom. Either make a proper sedan, or don't bother with the second set of doors.
I don't know what to make of the "prototype" spy pics. Either it's a joke of some sort, or the Germans have a better sense of humor than they're given credit for having. It would be fun to drive such a vehicle around during rush hour, though.
EBM14 @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
UGLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who is coming up with these stupid ideas??
Mac @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
WOW! BMW is making a Charger! How original!
iQuack @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
Four door coupe description suggests that coupes are "cool" or good looking and 4 door cars aren't.
Most coupes make little sense because they're as long and hard to park as their 4 door counterparts and are lower and harder to enter/exit. And having all those SUVs and trucks towering over you isn't such great fun, either.
Coupes need long doors for entry/exit for rear seat passengers. So, even for a single person who rarely uses the back seat, the driver must always use an oversized, heavy door that can be hard to open or close when the car is parked on a steep hill.
And wide doors swing in wide arcs making it very inconvenient if somebody parks too close in a parking lot.
I've had both 2 and 4 door cars and the 4 door models are much easier to live with IMO.
With respect to style, the Infiniti G35, Acura TL, Mercedes C-Class, BMW 3 Series, and others are just as slick and much more useful than coupes, I think.
Scott @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
Haha! Who cares about the pic on top, I want to see that BMW Tank on the streets. That would make my year!
Richard Warren @ Dec 18th 2005 11:05PM
Well, if you agree with this defintion, not many meet the criteria:
http://www.wordreference.com/definition/coupe