Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, Coupes, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, BMW
VIDEO: Chris Bangle talks BMW X6
Click the image above for a 60-shot high-res gallery
The BMW X6 production concept CUV blends the looks and driving dynamics that aficionados expect with the high seating position and extra cargo space of a crossover. The X6 appears to be more of a fashion statement than it is a fully functioning "Sport Activity Vehicle," as that steeply raked butt dooesn't look like it can hold too many golf bags inside.
One look at the X6 reveal comments shows how polarizing the big utility "coupe" is, but the video of the X6 after the jump makes the concept look like a world-beater. Chris Bangle and his design team give us a peek at the new sports crossover, as well as the thinking behind BMW's next big idea. Take a look after the jump.
[Source: YouTube]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Lucas 4:10PM (9/12/2007)
Why are BMW's best looking cars bloody 4x4s????
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John P. 4:12PM (9/12/2007)
It is kinda nice, but I do see a slight, very slight, resemblance to Euro-Fords in there somewhere. bmw front end not withstanding.
Overall, I like it.
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500 10:58PM (9/12/2007)
It is growing on me. But the concept of an SUV-"coupe" is hardly new. HERE's what it resembles:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/rr/images/avenger.jpg
http://www.motorpasion.com/images/Volkswagen_A_Concept_SUV-1.jpg
http://online.wsj.com/media/info-autos0601-talus1.jpg
http://www.autorun.ro/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/audi_cross_coupe_quattro_011.jpg
simianspeedster 4:24PM (9/12/2007)
"...extra cargo space of a crossover"
Compared to what? The 3 series wagon and 5 series wagon kill this thing on cargo space and will perform better using less gas (at least the 3).
IT'S POINTLESS!!! (not that people won't buy it, of course)
-SimianSpeedster
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Jeff 4:35PM (9/12/2007)
I like BMW's-have owned many. Now love Audi's-on my 2nd one (S5 is next) ....but, this X6 reminds me of a Pontiac Aztek !!!
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Bryan 6:08AM (9/14/2007)
Your a moron.
Moltenauto 4:47PM (9/12/2007)
Instantly makes the X5 look old and boring. And I kinda liked the X5.
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Alex 4:52PM (9/12/2007)
I'm not into it. I'm not objective though, I'm not hot on BMWs, or CUvs. However, BMW is a powerhouse right now in the industry and in the public's preception (and with good reason). They could re-release the AMC Gremlin and as long as it has the kidney-bean grill and propeller badge, it'll sell.
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Dreizehnernuss 5:11PM (9/12/2007)
General sense of a CUV aside, this will sell like sliced bread.
Especially in Europe where a X5 is little bit too big and bulky for a lot of people.
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Marvelous 5:31PM (9/12/2007)
^^I doubt its gonna sell like that. seriously this time around the X6 makes no sense. Strictly status simple. I it wont perform like a coupe and it wont perform like an SUV offroad and still wont have the cargo space. Nothing is justified in this design other than stupid have money.
SOhp101 9:33PM (9/12/2007)
Re: Marvelous
I disagree. People don't buy X5s for the offroad utility!
This will sell well because the market shows an increasing trend of interest in crossovers and waning interest in SUVs.
Looks better than the X5, and probably handles better too. If I absolutely had to get a luxury SUV, this is probably the one I'd get.
joe 5:36PM (9/12/2007)
looks like an aztek, except uglier. Maybe they should have learned
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Elliott 5:39PM (9/12/2007)
I like the lines, but isn't a crossover supposed to combine the handling of a car with the cargo room of a SUV and not the gas guzzling of a SUV with the cargo space of compact?
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PiCASSO 5:48PM (9/12/2007)
I'm trying to find a place for this car for me. As a guy... I've never been a big fan of SUV/CUVs. But from a woman's stand-point, I've heard too many times the need to "sit higher" than most people, yet not sit in a "box". So I think this X6 fits that profile.
I think the closest vehicle to this would be a raised Mazda6 Sport (5-door hatch). I'm sure someone with PhotoShop can take the next-gen Mazda6 hatch and raise it a few inches off the ground and make it look like this X6.
Will it sell? I think so... even though from versitality, this car offers nothing to the table, except good looks, BMW's dynamics, and BMW's high price.
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Ford Tang 5:59PM (9/12/2007)
It looks so weird. While I'll agree that it does make the X5 look dated, it doesn't look anywhere as useful. I do like that it is different.
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why not the LS2LS7? 6:14PM (9/12/2007)
It totally makes the X5 look dated. It makes the X5 come from a time when people used to buy big cars so they could put stuff in the back. Whereas the X6 is from a time when people buy big cars so they can sit higher or maybe just to flex.
Kinda odd that this could make the X5 look utilitarian when the X5 was such an awful vehicle for utility. It had less space in the back than a 3-series SEDAN.
iamhoff 7:33PM (9/12/2007)
In a sick and twisted kinda way, I like it. I'm not quite sure why, but I do. Must be the drugs.
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Corey W 7:43PM (9/12/2007)
This is one awsome vehicle. It has a sense of speed while standing still. Very svelt, indeed.
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2004m3driver 7:52PM (9/12/2007)
yup purely status, so yup a bunch of people will buy it and yup I'm from LA the land of bimmers, benzes, and fake boobs
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rls 8:05PM (9/12/2007)
At last a BMW that doesn't look like every other BMW on the road! Actually to me it doesn't look much like anything else on the road. For that reason alone they should build it! I like the higher seating position that SUV/CUVs offer - I just don't like their exterior looks. This vehicle takes care of that.
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