2011 BMW X6 to get five-seat option in second half of 2011

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By Tim Beissmann | February 16th, 2011

UPDATED February 16 with comment from BMW Australia.

BMW has announced a number of revisions for the BMW X5 and BMW X6 ranges.

The biggest highlight for the X6 is the option of a rear centre seat, making the high-riding four-door coupe a genuine five-seater. The rear-seat option will be available on all overseas models except the ActiveHybrid model (not sold in Australia) from April.

BMW Australia confirmed the centre rear seat would be a cost option in the X6 range from the second half of 2011, but insisted the standard vehicle would retain its four-seat layout.

Both the X5 and X6 will be available with new 20-inch alloy wheels, finished in high-gloss black and Y-spoke design.

Also added to both ranges is the BMW Apps system, which allows owners to access Facebook and Twitter while in the car and tune into internet radio stations from around the world.

BMW Australia told CarAdvice that although it was interested in the Apps system, it was not part of BMW Australia’s short-term plans due to issues with ADR compliance and Australian functionality.

The BMW X5 was the highest selling luxury SUV in Australia in 2010, with 3105 units representing a 12.7 percent share of the market.

BMW sold 374 X6 models last year, a 34.7 percent decline compared with 2009.

Read CarAdvice’s full drive review of the BMW X5.

Read CarAdvice’s full drive review of the BMW X6.

whatthe

Wow – A car the size of a Sherman tank (with styling to match) will be able to seat as many as a Hyundai Getz. BMW must be so proud.

Homer

Probably the most pointless car ever made. Wealthy bogans love the “status” this huge tasteless appendage extension provides.

Gibbo

Pointless AND Hideous!

Ed

HAHAH!! Funniest comment ive read in a long time, but so true!

Shak

Guy on the left: Why the hell did they make a middle seat.
Girl In middle: yay im coming along for the ride.
Guy on right: Im German, in German car. Yipee.
sammy

looks like its pretty cramped to me
Jeef Beef

I don’t see how the middle seat will be viable. In my dad’s X6, the roof above the two rear seats have insets so you can fit your head in. Even then I brush my hair along the roof lining if I sit back.

As you can see from the photo, there is an indent where the middle passenger’s head would be, combined with the fact that the middle seat is generally a bit higher than the two on the side, everytime you go over a bump the person in the bitch seat will crush their skulls against the roof.
Grammar Nazi

Look at the lens treatment they’ve used to try and accentuate the ‘room’ in the back seat – a little over-the-top considering how distorted the poor blokes’ heads look.

“Hey, we’re having so much fun back here!”

Peter

The girl in the middle deserves an award for managing to keep a smile on with her shoulders so twisted, although the guy in blue looks pretty happy about it. Maybe his arm is up against something soft.

Mark

…while most manufactures are offering a seven seat option on their luxury SUVs. Now bogans will be able to bring an extra bogan mate along to The Murray for some waterskiing. Sick mate!!! (just kidding)
SZQ

even my medium sized sedan has roomier rear seats
Al Juraj

The X5 looks better, is cheaper and more practical yet can do just as well as the X6 on-road. It’s such a turn-off BMW keep making these goofy, needless vehicles.