2015 BMW X6 officially revealed

Around six years after BMW unveiled the production X6 model at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the German manufacturer has now taken the wraps off the second-generation ‘Sports Activity Vehicle’. A slew of images leaked by a website prompted the German manufacturer to officially reveal the car, ahead of its public debut at the 2014 Moscow Motor Show. The car will go on sale in the UK market around December with a base price of GBP 51,510 (Rs 51.24 lakh).

 

Internally called F16, the 2014 X6 is based on a new platform borrowed from the current-generation X5 SUV, which was recently launched in India. This platform makes extensive use of aluminum and has helped the car lose 10kgs, despite the additional equipment. BMW claims that the new platform has helped the car improve its agility, response and on-road dynamics. The interiors have been revamped along the lines of the new X5 and lend a more premium feel to the car.

The car retains the coupe-like roofline as well as the styling cues from the current car. The new X6 gets toned-down styling which makes it look less dramatic than the previous car, though the silhouette still makes it instantly recognisable as an X6. The front of the car features the trademark twin kidney grille and narrower angel eye headlamps, which seems to be influenced by those in the new X4 and X5. It gets bigger overhangs on both ends which increase the new X6’s length by 34mm, though the wheelbase has been reduced by an insignificant 2mm.

For the global markets, the X6 will be initially offered with a petrol V8 and two in-line six cylinder diesel engines in the xDrive50i, xDrive30d and a M50d variants and xDrive35i and xDrive40d will be added to the line-up, later next year. For the Indian market, we expect BMW to launch the car in xDrive30d variant.  As the name suggests, all the models will be offered with the xDrive four-wheel-drive systems as standard.

Despite not fitting to everyone’s taste, BMW managed to sell more than 2,50,000 units of the X6 worldwide, over the past six years. The car has performed well enough for the German manufacturer to not only bring in a new model, but also to expand the range with the X4.

 

The first-generation X6 used to be sold in India, but depleting sales led the model to be discontinued a few months ago. The new X6 will be launched in India a few months after its international launch, though it might have to compete with the Mercedes-Benz’s upcoming contender in the segment, the MLC, by then. Other SUVs that you can buy for this price range include Range Rover Sport and Porsche Cayenne and Mercedes-Benz ML.