New BMW X6 officially outed

It’s been spied and rendered, and now the third-generation BMW X6 has been official revealed.

Confirmed for Australian release in the fourth quarter of this year -- most likely in 30d, 40i and M50i form – the 2020 BMW X6 follows the redesigned X3, X4, X5 and all-new X7, alongside which it’s built in the US.

As such, the third X6 since BMW produced the world’s first four-door SUV ‘coupe’ in 2008 scores all of the luxuries and technologies that debuted in the latest G05-series X5 (many of them optional).

These include a high-tech new digital 12.3-inch touch-screen, seventh-generation iDrive infotainment system, a range of semi-autonomous driving aids, advanced head-up display, power-operated rear cargo cover, massaging front seats, heated and cooled cup-holders, a 20-speaker sound system and even Swarovski crystal inlays for the gear-shifter and infotainment controllers.

Standard wheel sizes start at 19-inch, with up to 22-inch available as an option and 21s for the BMW X6 M50i and BMW X6 M50d, which come in M Sport trim chunkier bumpers, Adaptive M suspension, M differential lock and M Sport brakes with blue-painted callipers.

The xLine and BMW Individual exterior treatment will be optional on other models, with M carbon-fibre reinforced plastic mirrors and rear spoiler to be available from 2020.

Standard features will include LED headlights and tail-lights, 2.5-zone automatic climate-control and ambient lighting including Welcome Light Carpet, which illuminates a path to the vehicle’s door.

Options will include four-zone climate, thermoelectric cup-holders, Ambient Air Package, an 83 per cent larger panoramic glass roof, Sky Lounge with 1500-plus illuminated stars in six colour choices, 1500W Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System, BMW Display Key, BMW Laserlight with Adaptive LED headlights and Selective Beam, illuminating up to 500 metres.

In Europe, mechanical options will include two-axle air suspension with automatic self-levelling, Adaptive M suspension Professional with active roll stabilisation, Integral Active Steering and, for non-M Sport models, an xOffroad package with air suspension, rear e-diff, underbody protection and four drive modes (snow, sand, gravel, rocks respectively).

The biggest technical advance for the five-seat BMW X6, however, is the new CLAR platform that now forms the basis of the latest 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series and all of BMW’s X-branded ‘SAV’ models except the X1 and X2.

The result is less weight and fuel consumption, and greater rigidity, refinement and performance, wrapped in a sleek new five-door body with plunging rear roofline, more angular headlights and BMW’s large, polarising double-kidney grille.

The new BMW X6 has grown by 26mm in length (to 4935mm) and 15mm in width (to 2004mm), but sits 6mm lower at 1696mm. The lower centre of gravity is aided by a bigger footprint, including a 44mm wider front track (1684mm) and 42mm longer wheelbase (2975mm), liberating 580 to 1525 litres of cargo space.

Mirroring the BMW X5 range are the powertrain choices, including the 250kW/450Nm 3.0-litre straight-six X6 40i and the 390kW/750Nm 4.4-litre V8 X6 M50i petrol models, and the 195kW/620Nm X6 30d and 294kW/760Nm quad-turbo X6 M50d, both powered by 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder 3.0-litre diesel engines.

The latter is not confirmed for Australia, leaving the new X6 30d to open the range (which currently starts at $119,900) with fuel consumption of 6.1-6.6L/100km and claimed 0-100km.h acceleration in 6.5 seconds.

The new X6 40i consumes 8.0-8.6L/100km/h and hits 100km/h in a claimed 5.5sec, while the X6 M50d consumes 6.9-7.2L/100km and hits 100km/h in 5.2sec and the X6 M50i is the fastest (0-100km/h in 4.3sec) and thirstiest (10.4-10.7L/100km) of the bunch.

As before, all BMW X6 models will be paired to an eight-speed transmission and all-wheel drive, and although there’s no sign yet of replacements for the existing X6 40d, the launch range will be joined by new versions of the $200K X6 M super-SUV and, in Europe, a plug-in hybrid variant.

Expect the new BMW X6 M to pack a 460kW/750Nm twin-turbo 4.4-litre petrol V8, 0-100km/h acceleration in around 3.5 seconds, an M Sport body kit, more focused air suspension and bigger brakes.

When the original (E71) BMW X6 was launched just over a decade ago it had no rivals. Along with the MkII (F16) model it attracted more than 443,000 customers and inspired a rash of coupe/crossover imitators -- from both within BMW (think X2 and X4) and from rivals like Mercedes-Benz (GLE Coupe), Audi (Q8) and, soon, Porsche (Cayenne Coupe).

The new BMW X6 makes its world public debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September, before going on sale in Europe in November and in Australia by year’s end.