BMW calls it “crisply expressive” and “confident, commanding and muscular.” We suspect you will call it many other things because, well, look at it. This is the new, third-generation BMW X6, and we sense it is not in the mood for your whining.
Principally because more than 443,000 examples of the X6 have sold worldwide since it was launched. This one, despite looking like a particularly angry Pixar villain, will probably sell just as, er, handsomely. Feels like the wrong word to use, if we’re honest.
As ever, it’s fractionally bigger than before—now five meters long and two meters wide—but in a unique twist, features a modest set of kidney grilles.
Only joking, they’re massive! BMW itself notes how these new X6 grilles are “the most striking feature of the front end.” And prepare thine eyes, because you can now option these enormous grilles to become illuminated. We’ve gone full Black Mirror here, people.
Mention is made of “familiar BMW proportions” in relation to the character and roof lines of the new X6, along with Sport, M Sport, and M Performance trim variants.
The M Sport gets traditional M Division gloss-black elements and different front and rear aprons, plus 21-inch wheels. The M Performance has an M differential, a Harman Karman surround system, adaptive suspension, and 22-inch wheels.
Perfect time to take a breather and talk about engines. The M50i gets BMW’s familiar 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 pumping out a very healthy 526hp and 749Nm of torque. Nothing Pixar about that. It gets an eight-speed auto, an M Sport exhaust, and four-wheel drive to record a 0-100kph time of 4.3sec. Quick, then.
The M50i also gets adaptive dampers and an M-specific power-steering setting. Other engines available include the M50d (395hp 3.0-liter diesel, 0-100kph in 5.2sec), the xDrive40i (336hp 3.0-liter straight-six gasoline, 0-100kph in 5.5sec), and the xDrive30d (260hp 3.0-liter gasoline, 0-100kph in 6.5sec).
All variants get four-wheel drive (with a RWD bias when pushing it), two-stage adaptive dampers, roll stabilization and active steering, and optional air suspension and off-road pack. All versions weigh over two tons, FYI.
As expected, there is a truckload of assistance systems—steering, lane-keeping, parking, reversing, skydiving (if only)—plus a high-res 12.3-inch instrument cluster and control display, lots of leather, electric seat assistance, seat ventilation and Many Options.
Prices start at £59,340 (around P3.83 million) for the 30d Sport, rising to £76,870 (around P4.96 million) for the M50i. Now, over to you. And try and keep it clean.
NOTE: This article first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
