When the BMW X6 concept was revealed in Frankfurt in September, we had mixed reactions to its oversized hatchback proportions. BMW made no bones about the fact that the sleek CUV was close to its production reality, and after seeing the motion pictures on YouTube, we tend to believe them. Video of the freshly-unveiled X6 in production trim is sitting out there for everyone to see, and from what we can tell, it's almost a dead-ringer to its Frankfurt forefather. As the scribes over at Carscoop pointed out, the b and c-pillars are now predictably visible, the side view mirrors are now larger, and the tail pipes have been modified. The high-end crossover shown in the video carries XxDrive35d badging, which means an oil-burner sits underhood. On the other hand, the start-up audio in the video sounds decidedly petrol-powered.
It's difficult to say if an expensive, less practical four-seat crossover from any other automaker would be a hit in the US, but BMW buyers tend to snap up whatever the Bavarian automaker dishes out. We look forward to taking in the X6 in Detroit next month. The complete video is available after the jump.
[Source: Carscoop]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Carlos @ Dec 17th 2007 10:47AM
I'm not interested much in the car, but that twin turbo V8 has my attention. I'd love to see that engine in the M3 instead of that torque less wonder they have in it currently
Zane @ Dec 17th 2007 11:05AM
While I'm sure the 4.4L V8 has enough torque to turn a tornado inside out, the engine probably revs to a measly 6 or 7000 rpm. What good is that in a M3?
Carlos @ Dec 17th 2007 11:08AM
Because not everyone likes their engines to rev into the stratosphere.
Zane @ Dec 17th 2007 11:22AM
Well, the naturally aspirated engine has always been the ///M's trademark feature. If you really want something that doesn't rev until your spine tingles, you should really look at a 328 or 335.
Carlos @ Dec 17th 2007 11:26AM
Well I want the chassis and suspension improvements of the M3 over the 335i.
Zane @ Dec 17th 2007 12:46PM
Suspension upgrades to the 335i will cost a hell lot less than the price difference between the E92 335 and M3.
MGBYG @ Dec 17th 2007 10:54AM
So a coupe on stilts...when this cycles around, the SUV drivers are going to want to go higher yet to see over these coupes...slippery sloped and project to infinity...
Somebody deep inside the Blue Propeller is staring at a K-series 2-wheeler and wondering just how tall one of these things could...
garlinski @ Dec 17th 2007 11:05AM
It's an interesting car/truck(?): Cruck? CARUV? Will be interested in the TTV8!!!
chemistrusaz @ Dec 17th 2007 11:11AM
Inside Line has a write up on their site also with vid and engine options. It sounds cool but why change the name now? X Drive5.0i or X Drive3.0i why not X6 3.0i? Could it be cause they want let buyers know its not an SAV like the X5 and X3? That its really small and fast and that is about it. You cannot tow much if anything and its just a car on stilts like MGBYG said? I think it looks cool and would go to the dealer to check out. I still like the low, fast sleek look of CS better.
J.Crew @ Dec 17th 2007 12:23PM
I heard they were crash testing it and the barrier cracked up because this thing was so ugly!
"Let's put a sloped roof on an SUV which limits any useful space since our SUV's already have the least amount of space in the market, I want to find out how dumb zee folks in North America really are. They will buy anything with our logo on it..."
ello @ Dec 17th 2007 12:41PM
As impractical this car seems to be, I actually like it's styling, and the engine options will make this one of the fastest SUVs around, BMW claims a 5.3 sec. 0-60 time for the 4.4l twin turbo and I bet that time is understanted just like the 335i. And I am more than sure once Vishnu gets a hold of those 4.4l twin turbo engines you can bet you'll see over 500HP X6 driving around without major mods, that would make this car not only better looking but also faster than the Cayenne for less money.
But what I want to know, since BMW probably got the inspiration of the X6 from the Dakar rally vehicles such as Pajero Evo, does X6 offer better off-roading experience than X5, and are there going to be off-road kita available for this car? I would love to have a Pajero Evo-like vehicle at my disposition :D
3seriesisking @ Dec 17th 2007 1:03PM
I still have mixed feelings about this one. Being the bimmerphile that I am, I think it's hard for me to imagine a cross between a beautiful coupe and a "SAV" from the roundel. The engines should definitely please though so there has to be some good to come of it. I think it is going to take a test drive to tell whether or not this one is a winner. Can't wait to get my shot.
Corey L @ Dec 17th 2007 1:11PM
Still can't outrun ugly.
dpb! @ Dec 17th 2007 6:11PM
What an awesome vehicle. I really hope an M version of this will show up and I would imagine it would!
Robert @ Jan 9th 2008 10:58AM
Wow... I am a BMW driver and enthusiast, but this design puts the "U" in UGLY. Actually not the whole design, just the rear.The rear view evokes real nausea!
Does BMW really think that we needed a more expensive Pontiac Aztek? Maybe they felt we were not laughing enough since the Aztek went out of production.
Whatever happened to form follows function? Is the function to cut down on rear cargo space?
Actually it seems BMW has trouble styling the rear of most of their vehicles, Starting with the "Humpback Whale".. er, I mean the 745i, on down. (although in my opinion the 3 and 6 series are better)
If I wanted to see a Prius coverted into a monster truck, I would buy tickets to the next rally at the convention center and put on my "Gravedigger" shirt!
C'mon guys, I was looking at buying one of these until I saw the rear styling.