Michael Taylor
BMW has tried to give the gloss of a social conscious to one of the world's most arrogant cars.
Its all-new X6, which launched at the Moscow Motor Show, is touting fuel economy savings of up to 22 per cent and similar world-friendly emissions reductions.
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That’s not to say the belligerent nature of the huge SUV-coupe isn’t still at the forefront of the second-generation X6, because the heavy-hitting, twin-turbo V8 petrol version has slashed 0.6 seconds from the old flagship’s 0-100km/h time. Now streaking past 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds (yes, 4.8 seconds), the xDrive50i now gets Valvetronic variable valve timing to go with its vee-mounted turbochargers and direct fuel-injection system, lifting its power by 10 per cent.
All variants of the X6 will come with eight-speed automatic transmissions and all of them will have all-wheel drive as standard equipment.
On sale from November this year, the new X6 will arrive with a choice of the xDrive50i’s V8, the classic, single-turbo 3.0-litre diesel six or the tri-turbo diesel straight six.
The xDrive30d motor has been tickled, delivering a 10kW boost to 190kW of power at 4000rpm and BMW boffins have also found another 20Nm of torque to lift the total to 560Nm. They’ve also delivered the torque earlier, with the peak number arriving at 1,500rpm instead of 1,750rpm.
Its straight-line speed is the most improved in the family (and needed to be), with almost a second cut from the 0-100km/h time, which now sits at 6.7 seconds.
It’s also benefited from chopping out a big chunk of fuel consumption, with its NEDC combined figure dropping from 7.4 litres/100km to just six, which is astonishing given the car’s weight is down by just 10kg to 2065kg. At well over two tonnes empty, the xDrive30d is the lightest of the launch cars.
But 260,000 people didn’t buy the outgoing car just for its powertrains, all of which could be found just as happily in the more conservatively styled X5 with which the X6 shares much of its rigid bits.
Launched onto the world in 2008, the US-built X6 made an impact in parts of the world BMW didn't expect it to, such as Russia (hence the Moscow launch) and Italy, particularly in the fashion-oriented north. That provides a clue to its buyer profile, with image-conscious buyers regarding the X5 as simply too much of a family school runner lacking in the presence they demand.
The new one fits the bill again, even as it is stalked by a new wave of competitors that includes the Mercedes-Benz MLS, Porsche’s Cayenne and something secret from Audi.
For all of that, it rides on a chassis that is so similar to the old car’s architecture that it carries the same 2933mm wheelbase and uses the same rear suspension system, modified just a bit.
The biggest mechanical upgrade is the addition of an electric power-steering system, which helps with fuel economy numbers, but the double-wishbone front suspension remains, though BMW has worked on the car’s directional stability and wheel-bearing friction.
The back end can be improved with an optional air suspension system, plus the electrical fiddling of Dynamic Damper Control. There’s also a professional adaptive suspension package, while the adaptive damping system is standard on the M50d and the M Sport packages.
For sailing fans (caravanners need not apply because they don’t fit the X6 ethos), there is a tow capacity of 3.5 tonnes.
Overall there are relative incremental improvements in a car that continues to divide opinion, but has recorded remarkable sales success for all that.