Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUVs, Tech, Crossovers/CUVs, BMW
Detroit 2008: BMW unwraps the production X6
click above to view more high-res images of the BMW X6
Dropping the "concept" descriptor that it carried in Frankfurt, the BMW X6 was just revealed at the Detroit Auto Show in full production trim. Not surprisingly, it's almost identical to what we saw in Frankfurt, with a sharply-raked backlight and hatchback replacing the squared-off rump of the X5. BMW likes to describe it as a blend between a coupe and a crossover, which leads us to ask - is it possible to crossover from something that's already a crossover? Does this mean that it's been double-crossed? The mind boggles.
Follow the jump for our first impression...
Gallery: New York 2008: 2009 BMW X6 - Live
The interior appointments are certainly pleasant enough, with plenty of leather, wood and metalized trim. The rear seating, however, is best described as "intimate". While there is enough room, the passengers better at least on speaking terms with each other. Ingress into the second row is OK, but we saw several people struggle to exit the vehicle. Hey, those backseaters aren't paying for the vehicle, so screw 'em.
Under the hood lies BMw's new 4.4L twin-turbo V8, which also sports direct injection for good measure. Horsepower will officially be rated at 407 ponies, with 450 lb-ft of torque available between 1750 and 4500 RPM. Fuel consumption is claimed to be "best in segment" (if that segment consists of porky V8 SUVs). We're on the hunt for a cutaway of this engine so we can get some additional insight as to how it all works.
A six-speed automatic transmission is responsible for picking the appropriate ratio, and given the dead-flat torque curve, we're guessing that the transmission probably doesn't have to be too fussy with the gear selection. The driver can also manually select the desired gear via buttons on the steering wheel, but simply mashing the go pedal and hanging on tight probably produces better results.
With the clumsy "xDrive" model nomenclature comes Dynamic Performance Control, which is BMW's rear axle torque vectoring system. Unlike traditional stability-control systems that work by applying individual brakes (and thus subtract torque from a given wheel), this system supplies additional torque to individual drive wheels via a complex network of clutchpacks and planetary gears in the rear differential. We've yet to drive a vehicle of this mass with such a system, but according to what we've heard, it has the effect of making a large car feel much smaller.
Regardless of what we think of the marketing behind this hatchback, it still probably handles better than most manufacturers' so-called "sport sedans", and so BMW buyers will likely feel right at home - even if it does look to us a bit like a fancy Dodge Caliber.
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Cajun_Mike 4:33PM (1/13/2008)
No Thanks, I will wait for the new Infiniti FX37 and FX50
Reply
zamafir 4:36PM (1/13/2008)
x2, that interior? that exterior? this, the 1 series, where's BMW going? what next? an Isuzu Vehicross clone?
HAWC1506 4:36PM (1/13/2008)
Amen
why not the LS2LS7? 5:09PM (1/13/2008)
This is pretty close to the Vehicross already. Maybe they'll veer off into X-90 land instead though.
mcheddadi 4:39PM (1/13/2008)
This car is beautiful, I'd buy it if I could!
Reply
Andrew 4:46PM (1/13/2008)
I dig it.
Reply
James 4:46PM (1/13/2008)
I'm not a huge fan of this "crossover" craze, but I actually think this car gives a quirky sporty edge to the X5. I really like the way it looks, and it doesn't look like something a clown would drive like the FX pair.
Reply
Aetius 4:57PM (1/13/2008)
BMW is now like Honda. With design this bad you HAVE to be a hardcore fan to buy one.
Reply
3seriesisking 6:00PM (1/13/2008)
Please don't compare BMW to Honda.
DKB_SATX 7:49PM (1/13/2008)
Right, it's not a fair comparison. I'd much rather have a Pilot than this, and I don't particularly like Hondas.
PandaBeat 4:59PM (1/13/2008)
"Regardless of what we think of the marketing behind this hatchback, it still probably handles better than most manufacturers' so-called "sport sedans"
Uhmmm, that's an excess of ass-kissing right there. WTF autoblog...
and damn that thing is ugly.
Reply
CoolJamJar 5:01PM (1/13/2008)
I can't believe something this size has the same seating capacity as my wife Mini Cooper S!!!!
Reply
why not the LS2LS7? 5:08PM (1/13/2008)
And to complement sedans with no headroom, we have sedans jacked up to the sky with AWD.
As pointed out elsewhere, this has less passenger room and trunk space than a regular sedan.
BMW, what was wrong with wagons?
Reply
Rahul 10:21PM (1/13/2008)
"What's wrong with wagons?"
Nobody buys them.
Fooman 5:53PM (1/13/2008)
Dear BMW,
While I do think the x6 is a nice looking car. And I know how much the 318ti sales numbers well for lack of a better word sucked. Please bring us some nice hatches and the good wagons (540 touring I know we can get.) I know you think you cannot sell a hatch in the US :::cough::: MINI :::cough:::. The 1 series 3 door or 5 door would be very very nice. And I might buy one, as the 135i is just a small 335 at pretty much the same price and weight so I really do not like the 1 coupes.
A M5 touring would be nice, you sell them in Europe and the body and engine are already on sale here you cannot tell me it will cost that much to bring them over. If a hot wagon came out like the M5 we might start buying wagons, and those of us that do not really like the CUV/SUV craze will no longer be though of as freaks when we see a 540 touring with a comp package.
Oh and while you are at it, please give Mr. Bangle a nice serverence package. I heard a Mr Fiskar is not doing that well with his custom coachworks and may want to design cars again.
Thanks again,
Foo2rama
A loyal E46 M3 owner.
Reply
DKB_SATX 7:54PM (1/13/2008)
Happily they're still (for now!) bringing the 5series wagon, but only as a 535xi, starting at $54k. You can even get it with a real transmission, but since they sell almost exclusively automatics to driving-challenged Americans, the auto is a no-cost option. (I suspect if you want a 6spd you'd do well to custom order it.)
I just can't get my head around paying $54k for a car. I know my neighbor Jim Bob's H2 cost more than that (and he's upside down because he rolled in the payoff on his old H2 when he bought it.) I'd just like to retire someday.
Omer 8:39AM (1/14/2008)
contact your local BMW dealership and they should be able to get you a 535xi wagon. I have seen one on the road and honestly they are not my cup of tea and look no where as good as Audi A6 avant.
MajorGeek 8:59PM (1/13/2008)
Showed it to the wife, wife saw it, wife loved it. Likes BMW, likes all wheel drive, likes higher height. She drives one of those Subarus that sits high now. This was not designed, imho, for the average guy or BMW lover, but their wives. And they will be everywhere in the suburbs before you know it. Sort of like a Volvo or BMW station wagon, or a minivan, if you can afford it, this is an alternative to the ho hum usual family vehicle. Trust me, I have to pay for one :(
Reply
nick 9:00PM (1/13/2008)
i'd like to see tuners putting that engine in a 3 series coupe, that would be awesome.
Reply
kay 9:12PM (1/13/2008)
Its the BMW AMC Eagle 6!
Reply