new BMW X6 Released

BMW X6
The new second-generation BMW X6 has arrived in Australia featuring sportier styling, a substantial increase in equipment, more powerful and fuel-efficient engines, and even greater dynamic handling, hallmarks of BMW’s Ultimate Driving Machines.

Boasting an enhanced, sharper muscular exterior, and more refined, spacious interior, all models benefit from a range of upgraded engines.

Courtesy of the latest in BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies, these new power plants offer improvements in performance, and substantial reductions in fuel consumption of up to 22 per cent compared with the previous generation model.

The all-new BMW X6 features a significant boost in standard features designed for convenience, comfort and safety, including Adaptive AED headlights and ConnectedDrive, providing the driver with a wide range of information and service features while on the road.

In addition to this, the new all-wheel drive BMW X6 offers a range of adaptive suspension packages to further improve the car’s already high levels of sporty agility, ride comfort and dynamic driving characteristics.

With its extensive increase in standard equipment, more powerful and fuel-efficient engines and even more potent design presence, BMW Group Australia managing director Marc Werner said the new BMW X6 would build upon the worldwide success of its predecessor.

“The original BMW X6 launched in 2008 was the world’s first Sports Activity Coupe and became a huge success with over 260,000 sales worldwide.

“With the launch of the second generation model offering substantial improvements in performance, efficiency and luxurious value, as well as an even more imposing road presence, the new BMW X6 will set a whole new standard in exclusive driving pleasure.”

BMW X6

The new BMW X6 maintains the dynamic proportions of its predecessor combining the versatility of BMW’s X models with the sporting elegance of the brand’s Coupes with only minimal changes to height and width and a slight increase in length of 32mm to 4909mm.

Design enhancements including prominent flowing lines, striking accents and sharper contours have further emboldened the BMW X6’s characteristic road presence, emphasising its dynamic, high performance appeal.

The bold front end is dominated by a wider kidney grille which now extends to the new standard Adaptive LED headlights, providing a powerful and dynamic presence.

Large 20-inch light-alloy wheels, fitted with low profile 275/40 front and 315/35 rear tyres, and a swept back coupe-style roof line maintain the car’s distinctive aesthetic with the strong flat rear apron framed by the L-shaped LED tail lights, highlighting the BMW X6’s wide track and road-hugging stance.

The striking exterior design of the new BMW X6 is transformed inside into one of contemporary elegance and luxury. It combinies standard Dakota leather upholstery, a broad leather-covered instrument panel, sporty three-spoke multi-function steering wheel and highlight trim in aluminium for the diesel models and fine-wood Polar Grain for the BMW X6 xDrive50i.

Ensuring superb visiblity of all important functions, the instrument cluster and centre stack climate controls feature black panel technology while a new larger 10.25-inch freestanding display screen in the centre of the instrument panel provides all vehicle, infotainment, navigation and communication information managed by the iDrive Controller on the centre console.

All new BMW X6 models feature comfortable and supportive front electric sports seats – with heating and electric lumbar support for BMW X6 xDrive50i and BMW X6 M50d models – while in the rear, the new BMW X6 features improved versatility and space with a 40/20/40-split, three-position seat.

Luggage capacity has been increased to between 580 litres and 1525 litres – with seats folded flat – an increase of 75 litres over the previous BMW X6, and easy access is assured with a standard electrically-operated tailgate.

With the launch of the new generation BMW X6 comes a substantial increase in standard equipment for convenience, comfort and safety.

The BMW X6 xDrive30d benefits from the addition of Adaptive LED headlights and ConnectedDrive features including Driving Assistant – a camera-based system providing Lane Departure Warning, Collision Warning and Pedestrian Warning with light city braking function – and Intelligent Emergency Call that uses the built-in SIM card to automatically call and transfer data to the ConnectedDrive Call Centre in the event of an accident.

These features are in addition to cruise control with braking function; front and rear Park Distance Control; keyless start/stop; dual-zone climate control; Rain Sensor automatic windscreen wipers and lights; convenience telephony with extended Bluetooth functions including Voice Control, audio streaming and pairing of multiple devices; HiFi audio system with USB and Aux inputs; and Navigation Professional System with a 20GB hard drive for media file storage.

A step up into the BMW X6 xDrive50i and BMW X6 M50d models adds Driving Assistant Plus with full braking effect and Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function; automatic Parking Assistant; keyless Comfort Access System; Alarm system; 4-zone climate control; harman/kardon Surround Sound audio system with DAB+ tuner; and metallic paint.

All three BMW X6 models feature a comprehensive list of standard safety equipment including six airbags, Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control, Hill Descent Control, Surround View camera and Head-Up Display.

BMW X6

The new BMW X6 builds on the renowned performance credentials of its predecessor with a powertrain lineup offering even greater power and torque, and substantial reductions in fuel consumption, drawing on BMW’s groundbreaking suite of EfficientDynamics technologies.

Among the EfficientDynamics innovations featured in the new BMW X6 include Auto Start/Stop and ECO PRO mode for the Driving Experience Control, an upgraded eight-speed Sport Automatic transmission with steering column paddle shifts and Launch Control.

Leading the way on the efficiency front is the 190kW/560Nm 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, TwinPower Turbo diesel engine in the BMW X6 xDrive30d that, with a combined fuel consumption of just 6.0l/100km and CO2 emissions of 159g/km, offers a 19 per cent improvement over its predecessor.

At the same time, an extra 10kW of power and 20Nm of torque powers the new BMW X6 from 0-100kmh in 6.7 seconds, a near one second improvement over the previous generation model.

With an extra 30kW and 50Nm, the 330kW/650Nm 4.4-litre, TwinPower Turbo V8 petrol engine in the BMW X6 xDrive50i is not only the most powerful in the range with a 0-100km time of just 4.8 seconds (0.6 seconds less than previously) but also benefits from a massive 22 per cent reduction in fuel consumption down from 12.5l/100km in its predecessor to only 9.7l/100km.

Although the outputs of the triple-turbo, six-cylinder, 3.0-litre diesel engine in the BMW X6 M50d remain unchanged at 280kW and 740Nm, the car benefits from BMW EfficientDynamics technologies with fuel consumption reduced by 14 percent to 6.6l/100km.

Putting all this power to the ground, the new BMW X6 maintains its xDrive permanent all-wheel drive system, offering fully variable torque split between the front and rear axles while building upon the dynamic handling characteristics of the car with a new range of four adaptive suspension packages.

In addition to its standard sports-tuned adaptive M Suspension with specific settings for the Dynamic Damper Control and rear air suspension, the BMW X6 M50d also features the Dynamic adaptive suspension package. This comprises Dynamic Performance Control, which varies the torque-split between the rear wheels and Dynamic Drive active roll stabilisation.

Providing the optimum balance between ride comfort and agility, the Professional adaptive suspension package, standard in the BMW X6 xDrive50i, combines the features of the Dynamic adaptive suspension package with a Comfort adaptive suspension package, featuring unique settings for the Dynamic Damper Control and rear air suspension.

All four adaptive suspension packages are optionally available for the BMW X6 xDrive30d model.

As well as the adaptive suspensions, all BMW X6 models feature the four-mode – COMFORT, SPORT, SPORT+ and ECO PRO – Driving Experience Control that makes adjustments to the throttle, gear and electric power steering responses for an active and engaging driving experience.

The new BMW X6 is covered under BMW warranty for three years and unlimited kilometres, as with all new vehicles, and features a condition based servicing (CBS) system which is built into all BMWs. Under the CBS system, sensors and advanced algorithms monitor and calculate the conditions in which the vehicle is used including mileage, time elapsed since the last service, fuel consumption and how the vehicle is driven. The information captured is used to determine the vehicle’s maintenance requirements, indentifying that either an annual vehicle inspection or an oil service is due.

In addition, BMW service and selected maintenance costs can now be covered by a single, one-off advance payment with BMW Service Inclusive (BSI). BSI offers two packages: BMW Service Inclusive Basic provides scheduled servicing cover, while BMW Service Inclusive Plus combines scheduled servicing and selected maintenance items. Based on individual lifestyle needs, a year range and kilometre option is selected, starting from five years/80,000. The BSI plan provides a long-term solution enabling cover to be extended and transferred to future vehicle owners before expiry.

BMW X6

BMW X6 Australian Pricing*:

BMW X6 xDrive 30d: $115,400
BMW xDrive 50i: $151,600
BMW X6 M50d: $157,900

* Manufacturer’s Recommended List Price is shown and includes GST and Luxury Car Tax (LCT) – if applicable, but excludes dealer charges, stamp duty, statutory charges and on-road charges, which are additional and vary between dealers and States/Territories. Customers are advised to contact their nearest MINI dealer for all pricing inquiries.

About Anthony Hood 125 Articles
Anthony Hood – Freelance Contributor Anthony is an avid motoring and photography enthusiast. His interests lie in 4WDriving and camping, performance cars, street rods, drag racing, burn out competitions, circuit racing and hill climbs. He is our resident hoon with heaps of experience.Married with three children and a qualified diesel mechanic and fitter, he has worked in the industry since leaving school over 16 years ago. His sheds are full of race cars and engines in various stages of working order.Anthony doesn’t get caught up in the marketing hype of the automotive industry and is fairly blunt. He brings a very laid back approach to reviewing vehicles.