BMW has designed a vehicle with excellent ground-clearance equipped with a sophisticated and intelligent all-wheel drive system, and an extremely spacious, comfortable and luxurious interior designed for four occupants.

There is no other premium vehicle like the BMW X6. And that's understandable!

BMW broke into the four-wheel-drive market in 1999 with the launch of the BMW X5 Sports Utility Vehicle. At that time the concept of a large, luxurious all-wheel drive vehicle was the sole preserve of the highly successful Range Rover.

It is against this backdrop that BMW decided to extend the design envelope and combine two key areas of interest among its customers. Like many automotive products, BMW Coupés have been sought-after and the success of BMW xDrive and, the BMW X Series vehicles prompted some discussion of how to combine the two strengths into one vehicle.

The introduction of the BMW X6 is this next step in the process of anticipating customer demand. The BMW X6 sets a new benchmark with the world debut of its innovative Dynamic Performance Control rear differential and stability systems to ensure a new dimension in all-wheel drive car-like driving capabilities.

The drive train, incorporating the latest BMW technologies, ensures the BMW X6 delivers reasonable fuel consumption figures in conjunction with suitable output and acceleration performance. All that in a none too attractive coupé-like body shape that is unique in the premium segment.

The BMW X6 is a bespoke proposition.

The BMW X6 is undeniably a niche car. There will be only a few hundred available to Australia in 2008 and 2009.

BMW expects to sell the BMW X6 to customers who want the commanding driving position a BMW X Series product provides, but who also aspire to the sporting style of a Coupé. The BMW X6 will also appeal to early adopters, who traditionally make up a large proportion of new BMW concept models. In addition, BMW expects further customers will be drawn from the BMW X5 owner base.

For the first time in the history of a BMW model range, every member of the BMW X6 family is powered by Twin Turbo engines. The BMW X6 xDrive35i is powered by the twin-turbocharged unit that produces 225 kW. This engine is capable of accelerating the X6 xDrive35i from 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 240 km/h (where legal).

The 2,979 cc-engined X6 is still capable of achieving 12.1-litres per 100 km on the combined test cycle and emits a massive 286 g/km of CO2.

The BMW X6 xDrive35d also boasts a stirring power plant under its bonnet. The Twin Turbo diesel produces 210 kW from its 2,993 cc aluminium block and 580 Nm of torque and is able to accelerate the car from 0-100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds. Fuel consumption is 9.0 l/100km, while exhaust emissions are a somewhat high 237 g/km of CO2. Top speed is 236 km/h.

The third-generation common-rail technology diesel-engine and high-precision direct injection system on the petrol model both serve to optimise the combustion process.

The power of the BMW X6 is harnessed by an advanced chassis that incorporates Dynamic Performance Control for the first time on a BMW. Dynamic Performance Control offers drivers class-leading cornering ability courtesy of a complex multi-clutch differential that, effectively, helps drive the vehicle around a bend.

A conventional differential wastes power through wheel slip during cornering. A limited-slip differential locks out an unloaded wheel to transfer drive to the wheel with most grip – but the locked wheel can act as a drag on performance. However, Dynamic Performance Control improves on the traditional, performance oriented limited-slip differential. It allows an inside wheel to still deliver power and provide drive, while at the same time sending more drive to the outside wheel that has more grip.

The result, combined with one of the most advanced stability control systems available, is a vehicle that delivers an even greater degree of dynamic control and enjoyment than ever before.

The BMW X6 model range will be available for delivery from the network of BMW Dealers across Australia from 11th August.

A note about naming.

Given the proliferation of BMW models producing varying outputs from the same capacity engine, a new solution had to be found for the naming of a vehicle. New models will now adopt ‘performance output’. For example, in some markets there are 325d, 330d and the 335d models that are all powered by a 3.0-litre diesel engine. When looking at the X6 xDrive35i and the X6 xDrive35d both follow this path. The addition of xDrive to the vehicle name underscores the four-wheel-drive capability.

“BMW is leading the way in introducing new vehicles that challenge convention but are borne out of evolving customer demands,” says Tom Noble, BMW Group Australia General Manager, Marketing.

"The BMW X6 caters for a more discerning sector of the market which wants a specific product and won’t compromise. The X6 is a blend of the strengths of the BMW X5 and the BMW 6 Series Coupé served up in an eye-catching form."

"Since we previewed the Concept X6 at the Australian International Motor Show in October 2007, the level of interest from BMW owners and conquest customers has been incredible. We have only a limited supply of BMW X6 vehicles to deliver this year and even before the cars went on sale, a large proportion already had names against them." Tom says.

BMW X6 Pricing.

BMW X6 xDrive35i, 6-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic and shift paddles $114,705
BMW X6 xDrive35d, 6-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic and shift paddles $120,530