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BMW X6
Car Review
BMW X6
Once again BMW has set new standards – by making the X6 off-roader
perform like a sports car. BMW calls it Dynamic Performance Control and
the system has resulted in the birth of a new type of vehicle – the
Sports Activity Coupe.
BMW X6 Car Review Summary
The BMW X6 is one of the best handling and most accomplished Sports Utility Vehicles around. It boasts groundbreaking automotive technology that lifts it way above the norm. The X6 will compete with the likes of the Range Rover Sport and the Porsche Cayenne, but realistically there is no other car like it.
That’s down to the aggressive styling BMW has employed in creating the lithe lines of the X6. It is a true coupe that will seat four in comfort and is aimed at creating a new niche market.
From the front it has the same menacing presence as the latest X5 but in profile the X6 is one for the discerning.
While the BMW X6 is four-wheel drive and comes complete with off-road aids such as hill descent control its lower slung apron means its real domain is the open road.
The drive system has been tweaked to make it feel more of a rear-wheel drive vehicle while the dynamic performance system is the icing on the cake.
It works on the rear differential which in English means it combines with the car’s electronic stability and traction controls to whisk it through bends.
The effect is as sensational as it is dramatic, making the X6 a top notch driver’s machine.
Practicality
The BMW X6 is wider than the X5 it is based on, so there is plenty of room in the back. With just four seats there’s plenty of leg and elbow room for rear passengers, although the sloping roof does restrict headroom a little.
The boot is wide and long, but once again the swooping roofline means that it is quite shallow.
With the exception of some padding around the centre console, the X6’s dash layout is a carbon copy of the X5, which is no bad thing. It takes a bit of time before you know where everything is, but all the controls are user-friendly. It’s easy to establish a commanding driving position but rear visibility is restricted so the addition of rear parking sensors on all models is a bonus.
BMW X6
Life Style
Everything on the BMW X6 is huge, even down to the exhaust pipes occupying both corners of the X6’s rear.
There are plenty of storage compartments throughout the cabin, including a cubby hole where the middle seat would normally be.
Get this beauty out on to the open road though and you will appreciate its true quality. Despite the sheer size and weight of the car, there is little body roll thanks to the superb suspension, which not only offers excellent handling but, amazingly, provides an exceptionally comfortable ride, cushioning the huge car over even the bumpiest of roads.
BMW knows the X6 will be a niche car with sales of about 1,600 a year in Britain. Its target market will be those who want to own a bit of road-going bling and one of the finest handling sports utility vehicles on the market.
BMW X6
Security and Safety
The X6 is packed with the latest electronic driver’s aids and comes with front, side and curtain airbags. The four-wheel drive system also provides superb traction and masses of grip, so you should never be caught out by slippery conditions.
Its desirability will no doubt make the X6 a prime target for criminals, but BMW has an excellent reputation for thwarting thieves.
The Finishing Touches
Standard specification includes 19-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, stability control, climate control, four electric windows, remote central locking and parking sensors.
The V8 xDrive 50i adds self-levelling suspension and electric, leather seats. Options include swivelling headlights, satellite navigation, digital television, head-up display and an automatic full-beam system.
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