YAHOO AUTOS
Posted ByNealPollack @ Motoramic
2015 BMW X6
“Who is the X6 for?” I asked the BMW representative, most sincerely, on the eve of the global launch of the second-generation BMW X6 “Sports Activity Coupe." Really, I wasn’t sure.
Unlike its popular brethren SUVs, the family-oriented X3 and X5, which can be seen driving around the parking lots of upscale shopping centers, the X6 seems to be one of those vehicles that only makes brief appearances at launches, like a C-list paid celebrity guest.
Yet BMW claims that since the X6 debuted in 2008, it’s sold nearly 260,000 units worldwide. Someone buys these, some of the time. I had to know. “It’s for a certain kind of customer,” he said. “Some in the U.S. and Europe, but also in China and the Middle East. These are guys. They’re single, and they don’t seem to care about…”
He paused before he could say “the environment,” “women,” or “anyone else.”“You’ll see,” he said instead. “You’ll see.”
I got the picture, which became even clearer when I drove the X6 the next day.
This is the car for Bradley Cooper’s character in The Hangover, for that cologne-slathered Wall Street striver who’s one big deal away from the penthouse, for straight-brimmed baseball cap wearers everywhere. It’s the ultimate bromobile.
2015 BMW X6
The 2015 X6 has subtle but noticeable improvements over the previous generation: More power, more speed, a bit more luxury, cleaner lines, and a booming stereo system. Plus, while I wouldn’t take it rock crawling, it has a reasonable amount of off-road capability.
Because BMW, like all car manufacturers, wants to make things as complicated as possible, it’s going to release three different versions of the X6.
There’s one with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive, and one with the same engine and all-wheel drive. Both of those will get about 300hp, and won’t be ready until December. But a more powerful version is ready now.
The one I drove last week near the BMW factory in Spartanburg, S.C., has a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine that gets 445 hp and 480 ft-lb. of torque. It goes zero to 60 in 4.6 seconds, highly respectable, almost criminal, for a two-ton crossover. When paired with a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission, the X6 doesn’t lack for anything, performance-wise.
It has great acceleration, precise steering, good balance, excellent cornering and a pretty decent turning radius. Really, it’s perfect for maneuvering into the entry at the MGM Grand after four hours going 90-mph-plus on I-15 from L.A. to Vegas, and you also can easily take it into the desert for late-night hijinks involving the Korean mob and a stolen ostrich. The gas mileage, 15 city, 22 highway, is shamefully and predictably wasteful.
BMW did a broad style push with this planet-killer, putting a clear amount of care and precision into the look. The front and rear aren’t anything extraordinary, but it has a lovely side profile, with a low roof that tapers downward into a small trunk.
It almost looks like a 5-Series body lowered onto an X5's chassis; it takes the best design elements of both and melds them into a coherent and attractive whole.
As for the interior, I wouldn’t go so far as to use BMWs phrase “charismatic elegance,” which sounds more like a gentlemanly magician than a car, but it seems to fit.
I drove one with the “Pure Extravagance” package, with dual-colored Nappa leather seats, fine-wood poplar grain accents, and cushioned seats comfortable enough to invite high-end bottle service.
In a modest concession to practicality, the roomy backseat seats three, but it’s more like to host a buddy of the owner who’s passed out after too many vodka and Red Bulls. Also, the Bang & Olafsen stereo system thumps hard.
I suppose it could be a family car for a certain kind of family, but there are more family-oriented options that are perfectly good for a lot less money. It makes no move toward utility or fuel efficiency. Starting costs are $72,000. The one I drove tipped toward $91,000 with all the add-ons.
2015 BMW X6
As for the interior, I wouldn’t go so far as to use BMWs phrase “charismatic elegance,” which sounds more like a gentlemanly magician than a car, but it seems to fit.
I drove one with the “Pure Extravagance” package, with dual-colored Nappa leather seats, fine-wood poplar grain accents, and cushioned seats comfortable enough to invite high-end bottle service.
In a modest concession to practicality, the roomy backseat seats three, but it’s more like to host a buddy of the owner who’s passed out after too many vodka and Red Bulls. Also, the Bang & Olafsen stereo system thumps hard.
The X6 isn’t elegant and refined, but it’s slick enough. It has strength, but not powerlifter strength; style, but not world-class style.
I suppose it could be a family car for a certain kind of family, but there are more family-oriented options that are perfectly good for a lot less money. It makes no move toward utility or fuel efficiency. Starting costs are $72,000. The one I drove tipped toward $91,000 with all the add-ons.
But yet, there’s some demand. BMW is currently making 140 X6’s every day in Spartanburg, with plans to ramp up production to 200 a day by year’s end. It’s a successful niche product, well-honed to its target audience. As long as bros are making it rain, BMW will let them have their chariots.
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