SPY PICS: All-new BMW X6

BMW’s segment-blurring X6 is now getting long in the tooth (it debuted internationally in April 2008), so the Bavarian car-maker is honing a replacement derived from the recently launched F15 X5.

These Automedia spy pics – taken at BMW’s Nurburgring test base – reveal a vehicle that appears heavily evolutionary in design. The profile is largely as per the existing model, but the face has been remodelled for a more contemporary look, featuring a similar headlight cluster to that found on the latest X5. The lights now connect to the grille, and are underlined by daytime-running lights.

The funky camouflage worn by this prototype conceals the rear-end detailing, but there don’t appear to be any dramatic changes, barring the introduction of an all-LED tail-light cluster.

Underpinning the new X6 is the same architecture as the F15 X5, which in any case is a tweaked version of the hardware used by its E70 predecessor.

The new X6 will also feature the EfficientDynamics tech pioneered by the X5, including Air Curtains to guide air around the front wheels more smoothly, and Air Breathers, which extract turbulent air from the front wheel-arches and despatch it down the car’s sides through a vent in the front wing.

It’s believed the new X6 will have similar dimensions to the existing model (which spans
4877mm in length, 1983mm across the bows and stands 1690mm tall), but more efficient packaging could yield greater levels of interior space.

Reducing weight is also said to be a key priority, with the new vehicle making greater use of high-strength steel, and possibly losing the current X6’s torque-vectoring differential to shave off a few more kilos.

It’s believed base models will also lose self-levelling air suspension in favour of standard steel springs.

The powetrains line-up is expected to mirror that of the X5, featuring the twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline six and 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 (in xDrive50i and X6 M states of tune). Of course, there will also be an assortment of diesels, ranging from the xDrive30d, xDrive40d and M50d.

There could also be a return of the ActiveHybrid X6, mating the 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-pot with an electric motor mounted in unison with the eight-speed automatic transmission.

As per the current X6, the new vehicle will be built at BMW’s Spartanburg factory in South Carolina, USA, alongside the X3, X4 and X5. It’s likely to go on sale around mid-2014.