BMW's emergency measures

We had our first taste of BMW's segment-blurring X6 last year (more here), and were blown away by the SUV's dynamic capabilities, and now it seems a horde of ambulance drivers in Europe will get to savour its talents on a daily basis.

Witness the BMW X6 xDrive50i "Notarzt", which, from what we can glean, translates to emergency response vehicle -- the kind that's designed to stabilise patients' vitals before the ambulance arrives (this means the X6's lack of stretcher space isn't really an issue).

Built for the RETTmobil trade show for rescue and mobility vehicles in Germany, the BMW Notarzt is presumably conceived to demonstrate the X6 isn't merely a high-priced -- albeit highly entertaining -- lifestyle-oriented chariot.

The X6 Notarzt's mechanicals remain untouched, which means it retains the brilliant 300kW/600Nm twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 and sophisticated all-wheel-drive hardware, but the big Bimmer is packed with a raft of life-saving medical gear, side and rear view cameras, flashing LEDs and the requisite outta-my-way livery.

BMW is no stranger to the Notarzt genre as the Bavarian concern has formerly equipped everything from the 3 Series Touring to the X5 for emergency-service duties.

Nor is this the first time that a premium offering has been earmarked for public service. The most celebrated example is probably the Gallardo that Lamborghini donated some years ago to the Italian State Police (Polizia di Stato).

In addition to being liveried in the colours of the state police and equipped with flashing lights and siren, the Lambo was also fitted out with apparatus to transmit and receive information and images in critical situations such as road traffic accidents, fires and other disaster situations.

In addition, the Gallardo was equipped with first-aid equipment including defibrillator apparatus with the capability to perform electrocardiograms. The car has also been used for the transportation of plasma and human organs for transplant.