The 2009 BMW X6

BMW are to unveil the production versions of the new X6 xDrive35i and X6 xDrive50i Sports Activity Coupes at the Detroit Auto Show in January next year, but don’t let that get your hopes up; the all-new softroaders are not coupes. Instead, the X6 is a four-door SUV with a slanted roof line that tapers out towards the rear to provide the silhouette of a coupe. Perhaps BMW will have the sense to add a real coupe to the lineup but that remains to be seen.

The exterior of the new BMW X6 features short body overhang at the front, wide front and rear wheel arches, and a rather high center of gravity, as you would expect on a SUV. The front end features BMW’s signature kidney grille and large air intakes in the fascia to help cool the engine.

The interior features four seats with high side supports and the integrated headrests, with the rear seats being separated by a center console. It also features a sports steering wheel with gearshift paddles, and multifunction buttons to operate the telephone and audio systems. Two of the buttons can be programmed.

Being an SUV, the new BMW X6 features BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system that electronic controls the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles in response to the prevailing driving conditions and the changing terrain.

Power is provided by an all-new 4.4-liter V8 engine in the xDrive50i, and a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine in the xDrive35i. Both engines feature twin-turbos and direct injection, with the 4.4-liter V8 engine producing a maximum of 400 hp from 5,500 to 6,400 rpm, and a peak torque of 450 lb-ft. from 1,800 to 4,500 rpm. The 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine produces a maximum of 300 hp from 5,800 to 6,250 rpm, and a peak torque of 300 lb-ft. from 1,400 to 5,000 rpm! The 400 hp V8 engine propels the X6 xDrive50i from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph! Not bad for a SUV! Power is transmitted to the al-wheel-drive system via a six-speed automatic transmission that can be controlled by paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.

No pricing details have been released, but the BMW X6 is expected to be available from BMW dealer’s showrooms from the second quarter of 2008.

[Source: BMW]