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Archive for the 'BMW X6' Category
Here is this great review of BMW X6 M from the folks at Cars Guide.
The super-sized X5 and X6 M are SUVs, but that doesn’t stop them making a sub-six second sprint to 100km/h, hitting a top speed held back to 250km/h, and flaunting the sort of macho body bits that always move an M machine away from the BMW mainstream.
Cranking up to 240km/h down the back straight at Road Atlanta raceway, in a racer red X6 M, was the cement-solid proof that the oddly-styled SUV works better with an M makeover. We’ll have to wait for the X5 with M, but it promises similar stuff.
The X6 is still quirky, and compromised in the cabin, but the selfishness of a driver-focussed update reflects the original thinking behind what BMW calls its sports activity vehicle. And you don’t notice that there are only four seats, or that the rear window view is like peeking out of a letterbox, or that the body could have come from Korea.
Like every M machine, once you floor the throttle in the X6 M — and unleash a twin-turbo V8 that makes a romping 408 kiloWatts — the rest of the deal goes out the door.
The Xers have been given the M treatment because so many potential owners want to go all the way. Particularly in America, where the X5 and X6 are built.
But in Australia the demand for M cars has always been high and only one, the M5 wagon, is not sold Down Under.
The sporty SUVs will be priced north of $180,000 and supplies will be very limited, with around 150 in 2010 spread between the X5 and X6.
The big change for the M conversion is a tweaked 4.4-litre twin-turbo engine that tucks the fans inside the bank of the vee, together with the catalytic convertors. It’s an incredibly complicated and compact conversion which almost eliminates lag and delivers instant access to 680 Newton-metes of torque from 1500 revs.
The Xers are the only fully-auto M cars but the six-speed self-shifter has been tweaked for sports performance, complete with launch control, and they also have intelligent all-wheel drive, servotronic steering, active dampers, bigger brakes and 20-inch alloys that are up two inches from a regular X6.
The body bits include a giant front spoiler with huge cooling holes, side skirts and a rear diffuser that leaves the four-pipe exhaust exposed in M style.
Inside, there is a head-up display, M leather seats and wheel and the M-specific instruments.
DRIVING
There was only one X5 M at the global press preview in Atlanta, Georgia and it was not for driving. It looks nice in bold blue, but that is all I can say.
But I can tell you all about the X6 M after two hours of city and country driving, and a half-dozen fast laps at Road Atlanta. It’s one of the best tracks in the USA and Marcos Ambrose will be there next week, testing his Nascar.
The 6M looks tough and slightly more hunkered, thanks to the bigger wheels and suspension set 10 millimetres lower, and the cabin is just as classy as you expect from an M machine.
But turn the key and there is . . . disappointment. The X6 M is very quiet and you can barely hear the V8. There is no throb.
As we dribble out of town and I feel as if I’m driving a regular X6 5-litre, which is nice but not a favourite.
But then we roll down the freeway on ramp, I finger the M button in the centre of the steering wheel, and the beast is unleashed. The X6 leaps forward, there is a satisfying growl from the tail, and I have to lift sharply to merge with the legal-speed traffic.
I switch back to regular for the rest of the country run and find the ride and handling is terrific — although I hate the artificial heaviness in the steering — the front seats are great, and there is plenty of cosseting luxury. I can almost ignore the looks and cramped back seat . . .
The X6 M is real fun at Road Atlanta and, despite hauling two tonnes, it feels more like a sports car than an SUV. I still have to be careful to brake early-ish and ease into turns, not just jerk on the wheel, but it is composed and swift and feels better than any four-wheel drive wagon including a Porsche Cayenne.
But the X6 is not an M-style machine in the mold of the race-bred M3.
It’s more like an AMG-modified Benz, with a go-fast upgrade that is brutal but not particularly sharp.
Will that matter? Definitely not in the USA and probably not in Australia, because there are always people who are dazzled by an M badge but have never had the chance for something as look-at-me as the X6.
The visual appearance of an X6 gets a very fast appearing layout of the line with the aerodynamics package CLR X 650 GT Speed. It starts at the front with a carbon fibre lip spoiler continues at the sides with extra sporty side skirts and ends with a race rear spoiler made of carbon fibre – an optical highlight for the following traffic.
The custom fit and extremely high-quality tuning package includes a front spoiler with integrated day run lights, enlarging of the fenders in the front and rear, finishing of the roof in black matt and bicolour rims in 11×23″ with high performance tires size 315/25-23. In combination with a suspension about 35 mm, available for cars with and without air cushioning air ride, the tires look even more exclusive.
But who is familiar with Lumma Design knows that the pros in upgrading are not only well versed with the outer values, the intrinsic values are close to their hearts as well.
Therefore the interior- upgrading-package consists of a leather trim as well as performance-sports seats upholstered with leather and ultrasuede and a sport steering wheel with shift indicator display.
Currently, customers get a choice between the BMW X6 xDrive35i, which comes with a 306 horsepower 3.0-liter inline-six, the BMW xDrive30d and its 235 hp 3.0-liter straight-six diesel, or the xDrive35d, which has a 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder getting 286 hp. Horsepower for the three is bumped up significantly, reaching 360 hp on the petrol. The two diesels see increases to 261hp and 316hp respectively.
Torque output sees substantial gains, rising by 140 Nm to 540 Nm on the 35i model, by 80 Nm to 600 Nm on the xDrive30d, and from 580 Nm to 660 Nm on the 35d.
Hamann is also working on a performance kit for the top-of-the-line BMW X6 xDrive50i. Currently, that car is rated at an impressive 407 hp and 600 Nm of torque, generated by its 4.4-liter V8 twin-turbo.
Hamann’s design team put together a body kit for the car meant to give the car a more muscular stance. The package is highlighted by new front wings, and a rear wing extension, all made out of a lightweight composite material. A new apron with large air intakes, and LED daytime running lights round out the front. Wrapping up the back is a three-part diffuser, a rear spoiler, and a roof spoiler.
Hamann uses their Design edition Race Anodized 23-inch rims on the car, wrapped in 315/25 r23 tyres. An ultralight wheel, it is paired with “special chassis springs” and “progressively coiled springs” to lower the crossover by 40 mm.
The tuner firm added their own touches to the interior as well. Customers will find a sizeable amount of aluminum and carbon fibre throughout the inside. New instrument dials and a 3-spoke steering wheel are also included.
The Hamann BMW X6 Tycoon editions are available now from the German company. A BMW X6 Tycoon based on the xDrive50i should arrive soon.
Source: Hamann
Gentex Corporation, the leading supplier of automatic dimming rearview mirrors to the worldwide automotive industry, has announced that it is shipping auto-dimming mirrors with advanced electronic features for the all-new BMW X6 sports activity coupe (SAC).
The X6, sold in Europe and other select regions, includes Gentex’s SmartBeam® high-beam headlamp assist technology as a stand-alone option. SmartBeam uses a miniature camera-on-a-chip combined with algorithmic decision making to automatically turn a vehicle’s high-beams on and off according to surrounding traffic conditions. The system is designed to maximise a vehicle’s forward lighting and to eliminate the repetitive and sometimes burdensome task of turning the high beams on and off.
BMW refers to SmartBeam as High-Beam Assist, or the German translation, Fernlichtassistent. A base auto-dimming mirror is standard on all trim levels.
In North America, the X6 is available with a universal garage door opener and digital compass auto-dimming mirror as part of a ‘premium package’.
“The X6 is the latest BMW vehicle to offer the proprietary SmartBeam feature that further enhances driver safety, comfort and convenience,” said Gentex Senior Vice President Enoch Jen. “In addition, North American versions of BMW vehicles have been offering an auto-dimming mirror with compass for many years and the X6 carries on that tradition.”
An eyecatcher at first glance – this calls for a closer look AC Schnitzer presents the new styling and performance package for the BMW X6 The new BMW X6 exerts a particular form of magnetism: not only does its chassis sit perfectly on the road, it also magically attracts attention. Now it appears there is only one place where the fascination, dynamism and presence of the first Sports Activity Coupé (SAC) can be enhanced: in the workshops of AC Schnitzer in Aachen. The result is a visual and technical masterpiece which further magnifies the core qualities of the X6.
