07-24-2007, 03:06 PM
These are the best X6 pictures yet seen. Apart from the coupe-like roof, the rest of the car looks much like the new X5. I think it does not really look like a coupe because a modern coupe is about proportions from head to tail. An SUV is too tall for the proportions to "look right". Article & photos below.
What do you think?
X6: BMW's revolutionary 4WD 'coupe' revealed
Jez Spinks, drive.com.au, 24/07/07
BMW's new X6 4WD has been caught almost undisguised, revealing a 4WD that will be both sportier looking and more performance focused than the X5 on which it's based. By JEZ SPINKS.
These are the best pictures yet of BMW's new take on 4WDs – the coupe-style X6.
The five-door X6's sloping rear roofline is revealed for the first time in our spy pictures, following secret video footage of heavily disguised prototypes.
BMW's new X6 is the 4WD equivalent of Mercedes-Benz's CLS coupe-style sedan, and will create a new niche in the popular off-roader segment when it launches in Europe mid-2008. The X6 will reach Australia in the last quarter of 2008, priced higher than corresponding X5 models that range between $85,000 and $118,000.
The X6, which will be unveiled first in concept form at this September's Frankfurt motor show, is based heavily on BMW's X5 luxury 4WD but its dimensions are expected to be slightly longer and lower.
BMW Australia managing director Guenther Seemann says the X6 will be a 4WD that appeals to driving enthusiasts.
"We believe sports car fanatics who hadn't previously considered buying a 4WD before will be very much open to trying such a vehicle [as the X6]," says Seemann.
"We will create a new niche with this car, and new concepts and premium brands are very hot [at the moment]."
The X6 will feature the six-cylinder diesel/petrol and V8 petrol engines from the X5 range, but the 4WD's sportier focus means higher-performance engines will also be offered.
It's not far-fetched to suggest the German car maker might install in the X6 a detuned version of the V10 that powers the M5 and M6, although BMW has yet to attach its revered 'M' badge to either of its current 4WDs, the X3 and X5.
The spy photos suggest the X6 will need to sell on performance rather than practicality, not least because this 4WD is expected to seat only four passengers compared with the five- or seven-seat X5.
That sloping rear roofline is likely to compromise rear headroom and luggage space compared with the X5. Unlike the X5's relatively flat roof, the X6's starts a downward curve from the B-pillar before blending into the rising waistline and rear tail-light section.
The mildly disguised X6 in our photos show the new 4WD will also differ visually from the X5 in other details, including foglights housed in the lower front bumper rather than the bodywork. At the other end, a rear diffuser is evident despite the black camouflage.
The X5 is already considered the benchmark for 4WD on-road handling, and it makes sense that BMW's engineers will aim to make the more performance-focused X6 even better.
BMW Australia spokesperson Toni Andreevski expects the X6 to sell well locally.
"The X6 will be a good volume model for Australia - not volume in X5 terms, but niche volume in comparison," says Andreevski.
"In recent years there has been a [buyer] swing towards sports activity vehicles, and the X6 will offer a 4WD that is not only sportier looking but also a sportier drive [than a typical 4WD]."
What do you think?
X6: BMW's revolutionary 4WD 'coupe' revealed
Jez Spinks, drive.com.au, 24/07/07
BMW's new X6 4WD has been caught almost undisguised, revealing a 4WD that will be both sportier looking and more performance focused than the X5 on which it's based. By JEZ SPINKS.
These are the best pictures yet of BMW's new take on 4WDs – the coupe-style X6.
The five-door X6's sloping rear roofline is revealed for the first time in our spy pictures, following secret video footage of heavily disguised prototypes.
BMW's new X6 is the 4WD equivalent of Mercedes-Benz's CLS coupe-style sedan, and will create a new niche in the popular off-roader segment when it launches in Europe mid-2008. The X6 will reach Australia in the last quarter of 2008, priced higher than corresponding X5 models that range between $85,000 and $118,000.
The X6, which will be unveiled first in concept form at this September's Frankfurt motor show, is based heavily on BMW's X5 luxury 4WD but its dimensions are expected to be slightly longer and lower.
BMW Australia managing director Guenther Seemann says the X6 will be a 4WD that appeals to driving enthusiasts.
"We believe sports car fanatics who hadn't previously considered buying a 4WD before will be very much open to trying such a vehicle [as the X6]," says Seemann.
"We will create a new niche with this car, and new concepts and premium brands are very hot [at the moment]."
The X6 will feature the six-cylinder diesel/petrol and V8 petrol engines from the X5 range, but the 4WD's sportier focus means higher-performance engines will also be offered.
It's not far-fetched to suggest the German car maker might install in the X6 a detuned version of the V10 that powers the M5 and M6, although BMW has yet to attach its revered 'M' badge to either of its current 4WDs, the X3 and X5.
The spy photos suggest the X6 will need to sell on performance rather than practicality, not least because this 4WD is expected to seat only four passengers compared with the five- or seven-seat X5.
That sloping rear roofline is likely to compromise rear headroom and luggage space compared with the X5. Unlike the X5's relatively flat roof, the X6's starts a downward curve from the B-pillar before blending into the rising waistline and rear tail-light section.
The mildly disguised X6 in our photos show the new 4WD will also differ visually from the X5 in other details, including foglights housed in the lower front bumper rather than the bodywork. At the other end, a rear diffuser is evident despite the black camouflage.
The X5 is already considered the benchmark for 4WD on-road handling, and it makes sense that BMW's engineers will aim to make the more performance-focused X6 even better.
BMW Australia spokesperson Toni Andreevski expects the X6 to sell well locally.
"The X6 will be a good volume model for Australia - not volume in X5 terms, but niche volume in comparison," says Andreevski.
"In recent years there has been a [buyer] swing towards sports activity vehicles, and the X6 will offer a 4WD that is not only sportier looking but also a sportier drive [than a typical 4WD]."