The BMW X6 is a four-passenger luxury crossover or "sports activity coupe" as BMW likes to call it. It went on sale in the second quarter of 2008 with a promise of combining the benefits of an SUV and a coupe into one convenient little package.
The current X6 is powered by a plethora of engine options. The first is a 3.0L twin turbo engine producing 300/320hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. The second engine is a 4.4L twin turbo V8 delivering 400/440hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. The 4.4L V8/electric hybrid option pushes out 480 net ho and 575 net lb-ft of torque, while on the opposite side of the spectrum is the 4.4L twin turbo V8 that gets 555hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. These engines are mated to a six-speed automatic, continuously variable transmission.
BMW brought out the X6 in the second half of 2008, and with a few years of experience in the market, the SUV is now ready for a minor facelift to keep it refreshingly attractive. And when we say minor, we really do mean minor, because you need to look very close to see the changes in this facelift.
The facelift starts off with redesigned fog lights, headlights, and taillamps with a new adaptive LED option, and moves on to newly designed bars, new paint finishes, light alloy wheels, and leather trim. And that’s pretty much it.
The US market will get its usual xDrive50i powered by a 4.4-liter 400 hp TwinPower Turbo V8 and the X6 xDrive35i with a 300 HP TwinPower Turbo inline-6. However, for the first time, the BMW X6 will be able to be ordered with an M-Performance package that adds a few ponies and a meaner look.
On the US market, the new BMW X6 will go on sale in the spring of 2012.
UPDATE 01/26/2012: This review has been updated with the official images and specs for the BMW X6.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 BMW X6.
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The third and last model announced by BMW M Performance Automobiles today is the X6 M50d. Just like with the M550d xDrive and the X5 M50d the X6 M50d will be making its world debut in March at the Geneva Motor Show and will go on sale in Germany on June 16 at a starting price of 85,800 euro ($112,800 at the current exchange rates).
The BMW X6 M50d shares the same 3.0 liter six-cylinder in-line diesel engine that delivers a total of 381 HP and a peak torque of 546 lb-ft. The SUV will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and top speed is limited to 155 mph. Fuel economy has been reported at 37.7 mpg. The model has a fuel economy of 36.7 mpg.
Just like X5 M50d the space reserved for the foglamps has been replaced by new air intakes that help cooling the engine. The car gets Ferric Grey horizontal bars, race-inspired air-channeling flaps and a standard set of 20-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design.
With the 2012 BMW X6 well on its way to a refreshing change, our spy photographers have captured what seems to be an odd looking X6M version lapping the Nurburgring. The body is clearly an X6M, but if you take a look at the air scoop on the hood, you’ll notice that it has been changed up a bit to allow for more airflow. This leaves us with some rather interesting choices as to what can be hiding underneath the hood.
For starters, it could be a high powered version of the twin-turbo V8 typically found in the X6M, but it could also be the rumored tri-turbo high-power diesel engine. If it’s the latter, then that would make this a test mule for the BMW X6 xDrive 55dM (name not official). Insiders at BMW have said that the tri-turbo diesel engine would appear in the facelifted X6 first, followed by an appearance in the 5-Series line as the M550dX. Whichever model gets priority over this engine, it is said to develop around 500 plus horsepower (between 500hp and 540 hp) and a torque north of 650 lb-ft., which would explain the adjusted scoop and increased air flow.
UPDATE 12/02/2011: BMW has unveiled the first teaser video of their upcoming facelift X6 M equipped with the company’s brand new tri-turbo 3.0-liter diesel engine. The video is called “A new chapter powered by M. Step 1," which can only mean that the official debut is getting closer!
UPDATE 12/15/2011: BMW has unveiled a new teaser video for the upcoming X6 M. Called "A new chapter powered by M. Step 2," the new video features Brian Watts - BMW M GmbH Head of Global Sales and Marketing - who describes the car as follow: "This is a new kind of car. On every road, you feel like you’re on a race track."
We’ll continue to stay abreast of this mystery and get back with official details as soon as they become available.
Most of the packages from Senner Tuning have focused on vehicles such as the Nissan 370Z and the Audi A5, but now the tuner has diverted their attention to a larger car: the BMW X6. Their tuning package has it all, with exterior and interior upgrades, as well as a 30 HP power increase.
The exterior modifications err toward the side of the M6, with a new front bumper, large air intakes in a honeycomb design, a new tailgate, and a modified exhaust system. The standard wheels were whisked away and replaced with a new set of 22" wheels, leading towards the bottom part of the X6 where the tuner added a Bilstein B8 shocks system and springs with 25/20 mm lowering feature. The interior was only perked up with a new pedal set and a new DVD system to entertain any and all guests of the crossover.
The boost in power provided for the X6 takes the standard 3.0L turbodiesel engine of the xDrive40d and gives it an ECU remap and a new sports air filter. These changes take the standard 306 HP and brings it up to 336 HP. It’s nothing to write home about, but at least it gets the job done.
BMW is preparing to offer a facelift version for the X6 sometime next year, but these changes will be the last the car will receive because, in 2015, BMW will begin the SUV’s second generation. The BMW X6 has quickly become a successful model mostly due to the fact that it doesn’t have much competition. This second generation was imperative because, in 2014, both Audi and Mercedes will be bringing out decent competitors.
BMW will work on the car’s overall look, but their focus will mostly be on reducing the SUV’s total weight and its fuel economy. It has been rumored that BMW will cut about 330 lbs, so the next X6 will weigh about 4,400 lbs. The engine line-up will also get some changes: the entry level version will now use a base four-cylinder engine with 245 HP, while the top version plans to get a 405 HP straight-six engine. There will also be a hybrid just like the current generation.
Next to the technical improvements, BMW will also be working on making the car more agile and more aerodynamic. The interior will also receive higher quality materials and all the latest BMW technologies.
