Production X6 revealed

The concept was on display in Sydney -- and Frankfurt before that (more here) -- but now the production reality X6 will pick up where the concept left off, at the North American International Motor Show (Detroit) next month.

BMW has obligingly released some information concerning the new car's motive power in advance of the launch in Detroit. It will be available with a choice of three engines, a twin-turbo petrol six developing 225kW, a 210kW variable geometry twin-turbo diesel and a 300kW twin-turbo petrol V8.

The direct-petrol injection V8 is the most powerful engine BMW has ever fitted to one of its 'X Series' SUVs. Developing 600Nm of torque, the engine displaces 4.4 litres and will power the X6 xDrive50i model.

For the sake of packaging and reasons of efficiency, the V8's turbochargers and catalytic converters are nested within the valley formed by the two banks of cylinders.

Direct-injection technology offers the dual benefits of relatively low fuel consumption (12.5L/100km combined) and the ability to meet and exceed the Euro V emissions standard. Even so, the X6 xDrive50i will accelerate to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds.

Other model names are X6 xDrive35i for the car with the twin-turbo petrol six and X6 xDrive35d for the twin-turbo diesel. The twin-turbo petrol six is the same engine as fitted to the 335i Coupe and produces peak torque of 400Nm from 1300 to 5000rpm. BMW has recorded a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.7 seconds and a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 10.9L/100km.

The diesel variant produces 580Nm of torque from 1750 to 2250rpm and can accelerate to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds. Combined cycle fuel consumption is 8.3L/100km.

Both petrol engines are coupled to six-speed automatic transmissions with sequential shift paddles on the steering wheel.

BMW will equip the X6 with 'Dynamic Performance Control', which varies the torque split between the two rear wheels. The X6, through the xDrive system, can vary the torque split for front and rear axles from the default 40:60 ratio to ensure that the front axle receives more torque if the rear wheels start to slip -- and vice versa. Dynamic Performance Control will reduce the chance of engine braking affecting grip at the rear as well as countering wheelspin with power applied -- either of which could induce sudden oversteer. BMW is aiming for Dynamic Performance Control to keep the X6 stable and settled during a swerve or if the driver backs off suddenly, mid-corner.

Other safety features include frontal and side-impact airbags, as well as side head airbags and crash-activated headrests at the front.

Australian market secifications for the X6 are yet to be finalised. The car is due to go on sale locally in the third quarter of 2008.

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