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2008 BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe

BMW has just released details of the upcoming X6. Based closely around the Concept X6, the production version will be available with three different engines.


Firstly there is the all-new 300 kW 4.4-litre Twin Turbo V8 petrol engine, with 600 Nm of torque (X6 xDrive50i). Then there is the 225 kW Twin Turbo straight-six petrol engine with 400Nm of torque (X6 xDrive35i), and last but not least is the variable Twin Turbo 3.0-litre diesel (xDrive35d) with 210kW and 580Nm of torque.

The Twin Turbo V8 is the world’s first eight-cylinder petrol engine with the turbo-charger and catalytic converters housed in the V-section between the two rows of cylinders. According to BMW this setup helps reduce pressure losses on the intake and exhaust side.

The V8 is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with gearshift paddles mounted on the steering wheel as standard.

Engine specifications aside, this car will most likely start a new trend away from luxury SUVs. The X6 is the sort of car aimed at those that need a large-SUV but don't really want the negative image it brings.

However there are a few issues when it comes to practicality, the X6 will only fit four people and is a little short on cargo space compared to even its smallest brother the X3.

Based on the X5 platform, the X6 measures 4877mm by 1983mm by 1690mm, 23mm longer, 50mm wider and 86mm shorter than the X5.

BMW says the X6 is a powerful expression of poise, stability and vigour and who can argue when they've designed such a beautiful car. With classic coupé proportions and a sleek flowing lines, there is a good reason the Germans have called this Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) as oppose to Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).

The X6 comes standard with BMW’s intelligent xDrive all-wheel drive technology plus it will also offer BMW's newly developed Dynamic Performance Control which varies torque split between the two rear wheels.

Safety is taken care of by a strong chassis, frontal and side airbags as well as side head airbags, three-point inertia-reel seat belts on all seats and crash-activated headrests at the front.

Bi-xenon dual headlights (with daytime light function), foglamps, two-stage brake lights, and runflat safety tyres on 19-inch light alloy rims all come as standard.

As for the interior, there is a notable sporty ambience and with boot space ranging from 570-litres with all seats filled to 1,450-litres with the rear seats folded. In comparison the X3 has 1560-litres and the X5 has 1750-litres with rear-seats folded.

Inside, a high-quality, sophisticated interior has a notably sporty and luxurious ambience, with four seats. The rear seat height of 944 mm guarantees supreme comfort and convenience even for tall passengers.

Other features include

  • Adaptive Drive (anti-roll and adaptive dampers),
  • Active Steering,
  • Head-Up Display,
  • Adaptive Headlights,
  • Cornering Lights,
  • High-Beam Assistant, and cruise control with brake function.
  • an MP3- compatible CD-player, and an AUX-in feature as standard.
  • A USB socket,
  • multi-channel audio system (option)
  • rear-mounted DVD system (option)
  • four-zone automatic air conditioning (option)
  • active seat ventilation (option)
  • back-up camera (option)
  • navigation systems (option)
  • BMW TeleAssist (option)

Although BMW Australian says engine lineup and specifications are not yet finalised for the Aussie market, there is a good chance all three variants will make it here. So lets have a look at the specifications in a little more detail:

4.4-litre Twin Turbo V8 petrol engine (X6 xDrive50i)

  • 300 kW between 5,500 rpm and 6,400 rpm,
  • 600 Nm from 1,750 rpm –4,500 rpm.
  • 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds
  • 12.5L/100km on the EU cycle.

Twin Turbo straight-six petrol engine (X6 xDrive35i)

  • 225 kW of power from 5,800 rpm – 6,250 rpm
  • 400 Nm from 1,300 rpm all the way to 5,000 rpm.
  • 0-100 km/h in a rapid 6.7 seconds,
  • 10.9L/100 km.

Twin Turbo 3.0-litre diesel (xDrive35d)

  • 210 kW at 4,400 rpm
  • 580 Nm from 1,750 rpm – 2,250 rpm.
  • 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds.
  • 8.3 litres/100 km.

The X6 will initially début in the U.S. and Europe before making its way to Australia in the third quarter of 2008. Expect prices to start at $90,000 and top out around $100,000 for the twin-turbo V8.

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