When BMW unveiled their X6 back in 2008, it immediately made jaws start to flap about what Audi’s response to the luxury SUV would be. Everyone got their answer when, in 2011, Walter de’ Silva, Design Boss at Audi’s parent Volkswagen Group, confirmed that the company had already started to work on the Q6 and that it would be out on the streets by 2015. This rendering is our interpretation of the future X6 competitor.
The Audi Q6 will be built on the platform used for the next generation Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, and will offer the same crossover-coupe aspect of its competitor. Under the hood, Audi will place a variation of gas and diesel engines, as well as a hybrid option (following the hybrid option of the Cayenne). The top version, rumored to be called the Q6 RS, will be powered by the company’s latest turbocharged 4.0L V8 engine.
BMW’s dive into the diesel market included not just the M550d xDrive, but the X5 M50d as well. Just like the M550d, the SUV version is powered by the 3.0 liter six-cylinder in-line diesel engine that delivers a total of 381 HP and a peak torque of 546 lb-ft. With this amount of power, the X5 M50d will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, while top speed is limited to 155 mph. Fuel economy has been reported at 37.7 mpg.
Compared to a standard X5, the new M50d will be distinguished by an optimized aerodynamic balance and enhanced driving pleasure. In the space reserved for the fog-lamps, the new model has received new air intakes joined by horizontal bars painted in Ferric Grey metallic paint and race-inspired air-channeling flaps that sit below the side air intakes to optimize the car’s aerodynamic balance at high speeds. The BMW kidney grille features titanium-colored vertical bars, while the exterior mirror caps are painted in Ferric Grey metallic. The car sits on a standard set of 19-inch M light-alloy wheels in V-spoke design, but there are alsooptional 20-inch M light-alloy wheels in Ferric Grey metallic.
The new BMW X5 M50d will go on sale in Germany on June 16, 2012 at a price of 82,300 euro ($106,500 at the current exchange rates).
Lamborghini skipped the Detroit Auto Show in terms of any major reveals, but the Geneva Motor Show is going to be a whole different story. The company is planning on unveiling two major vehicles at the show, one of them being the highly anticipated Roadster version of the Lamborghini Aventador and a mysterious second model.
TeamSpeed has a few thoughts on what this mystery model may be. The first is a production version of the Sesto Elemento which we’ve all been waiting for since the concept was revealed in 2010. A second possibility is that Lamborghini could be presenting a concept version of the company’s replacement for the current Gallardo, a model currently known as the Cabrera.
Another possibility is that Lamborghini has finally decided on that third model they’ve been going back and forth on for way too long. President and CEO, Stephan Winkelmann, has stated in the past that a final on either the Lamborghini SUV or the Estoque will be made in early 2012, so this option seems to be the most plausible. If the decision is made, then we’ll more than likely see a concept version of it soon.
Check back with us soon for more details on the mystery model!
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.
Full story
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.
