BMW X6 xDrive 35i

31-10-2008 16:38

You have to admit that over the past ten years or so, we have seen more new ‘breeds’ of cars been created. Not in terms of new manufacturers, but in the reincarnation of the 4X4’s, then the birth of such vehicles as the MPV’s. Following swiftly came the SUV’s followed by those ‘crossover’s’ combing MPV practicality with 4X4 capability.

Now BMW have gone one step further with their new X6 that combines four-wheel drive with coupe styling. This X6 slots in between the X5, BMW’s revolutionary albeit huge 4X4 and BMW’s 7 series epitomising drop dead gorgeous looks. So by combining the two, is quite an extraordinary bespoke proposition but will it work or more to the point will anyone want one?

Well, not for the faint heated as the X6 is a large car with frontal styling from the X5 and rear styling from the coupe 7 series. 19 inch alloy wheels makes the X6 appear it is suspended in air and while any shape could hoist up in to the drivers seat using the scuff plates as a jumping board, smaller drivers will be hard pushed to reach up to the tailgate opening. However this does have the handy in fact very handy stop function whereby you can literally stop the tailgate at any point in the opening procedure if you simply want to pop a few items into the vast 570 litres of luggage area. The X6 is a head turning car so great for the old street cred with body coloured door handles, roof mountings and part coloured exterior mirrors that are also tinted, heated and electrically adjustable. The steel exhaust tail pipes give the first indication of what is under the bonnet.

The interior is extremely roomy for four passengers to be seated in style and comfort despite the rear coupe styling. The controls are complicated especially the iDrive Controller but this does have eight favourite buttons so it is the same old story. Spend loads of time getting familiar with all the controls before embarking on any journey. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, electro mechanical parking brake with auto hold function, height and reach leather steering wheel with all the remote switches to the CD player with MP3 compatibility. There is an additional auxiliary input point for playing devices such as the iPod. My test car came with the optional extras of a Media Package – navigation system, BMW Assist, Bluetooth plus six CD interchanger. - USB interface and the head up display that relays the speed and odd warning information directly ahead of the driver. I also had the Dynamic Pack at a cool £3,230.00 but you get a lot for your money. Sports suspension, sport steering wheel, the said 19-inch alloy wheels, sports seats with electrically adjustment and driver memory, leather upholstery and a high gloss Shadowlike exterior trim.

The drive, ride and handling of the X6 are exquisite and utterly faultless. I was driving the 35i variant that is powered by a twin turbo charged 2007 and 2008 International Engine of the Year winner that produces 306hp. This powerplant sees the car propelling from 0-62mph in just 6.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 149 mph. In case you groan over the cost implications, this X6 achieves 25.9 mpg on combined fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of 262g/km. Just do not spend too much time town driving as you only get 19 mpg.

The BMW X6 has the world debut of its innovative Dynamic Performance Control (DPC) rear differential and advanced stability systems to ensure a new dimension in the 4x4 car like driving capabilities. Incorporating BMW EfficientDynamics technologies is how the X6 is so powerful yet fuel efficient in addition to the class leading corning ability.

Another optional extra I has on this test car was Adaptive Drive costing £2,3000 that includes Electronic Damper Control and Dynamic Drive to maximise stability and comfort through reduced body roll in all conditions.