The BMW X6 is certainly a very special vehicle that started an all-new segment in itself. Launched in 2008, BMW has delivered over 2.50 lakh examples of the X6 globally over the past years. The German auto giant was so impressed by the success of the SUV that it is now trying to replicate the same with the smaller X4 SUV Coupe that will be launched in the coming months. With other manufacturers too following suit, it is expected of the company to update the SUV Coupe keeping it fresh against the competition and has now revealed the second generation of the X6.
Termed as an SAV (Sport Activity Vehicle), the X6 is the X5 luxury SUV underneath with a sloping roofline and reduced headroom at the rear. The 2015 BMW X6 gets its design traits from the updated BMW X5, but retains the overall silhouette from its predecessor. The X6 gets larger headlights, wider kidney grille and a sportier bumper adding to the masculine stance. BMW states that the X6 is now 32 mm (4909 mm) longer, 6 mm (1989 mm) wider and 33 mm (1702 mm) taller than the outgoing model, while the wheelbase measures the same at 2933 mm.
On the inside, the dashboard comes from the latest X5 as well, while the boot space has increased by 10-litres to a total of 580-litres that can be further increased, courtesy the 60:40 split rear seats. The X6 is better equipped with a ton of new tech wizardry and weighs 40 kgs lighter due to the extensive use of high-strength steel, aluminium and thermoplastics. The SAV features start-stop, night vision, a heads-up display, surround view monitors, parallel parking assist. It also gets anti-roll system, adaptive dampers and a torque-vectoring rear differential.
In terms of powertrain, the 2015 BMW X6 will be available with three engine options, all paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive is standard. The xDrive30d variant is powered by a 3.0-litre straight 6-cylinder diesel engine that produces 258 PS with 0-100 km/hr coming up in 6.7 seconds. The xDrive50i variant on the other hand gets a 4.4-litre Bi-Turbo V8 petrol engine that produces 450 PS and is capable of 0-100 km/hr in 4.8 seconds. Also available on the 2015 X6 is the M50d performance variant that is powered by the 3.0-litre inline 6-cylinder tri-turbocharged diesel motor that belts out 381 PS and 740 Nm of torque.
There is also an X6 M with a turbocharged V8 producing over 550 HP that will be launched further down the line. The Indian version is most likely to continue with the xDrive40d variant that is powered by a 3.0-litre diesel motor producing around 313 HP of power. The X6 is also 22 percent more efficient over its predecessor. The 2015 BMW X6 will make its official debut in the European market by December this year, while the Indian launch is expected next year.
