Photo: CarPix
As the F15 X5 was launched and is going to begin deliveries around the world in a few days, it was plain obvious that BMW had to do something about the aging BMW E71 X6 too. Fortunately for us, we just received the first ever spyshots of the new version of the Sports Activity Coupe and we can share them with you.
As you can see, the new X6 will also glide into the new design policy at BMW. The headlamps are now connected to the front kidney grille whilst the side contour seems to look exactly like the X4.
Actually, on a chronological basis, we could say that the new X6 is based on the X4, that's how much they resemble. The main difference between them is the size. Even though this prototype is camouflaged, we can still make out its massive rear end and the wide hips at the back.
That was probably done in order to address the complaints the owners had about the lack of headroom in the back. Whether they succeeded or now, we'll find out in a couple of months.
Going over the powertrain and chassis, it's highly likely that the new X6 will be based on the F15 platform and will use the same engines as its SAV brother. Our photographers claim that the car in the pictures below had a really low growl that resembled a V8.
Combined with the massive air intakes at the front, we think we might be looking at an M Sport model, fitted with the 4.4-liter V8 N63 engine that develops 450 HP and 650 Nm (480 lb-ft) of torque.
Other engines should include the 3-liter, 300 HP 6-cylinder N55 unit and 3-liter diesels going from 258 HP to the M50d model with 381 HP and 740 Nm of torque. As for gearboxes, we're expecting the 8-speed ZF automatic to be the most popular.
In light of recent developments, a hybrid plug-in could be possible, just like the Concept5 X5 eDrive. However, the market might be reticent towards such a model, especially since X6 customers are not interested mainly in practicably but rather in the 'cool factor'.
The official release of the new SAC should take place somewhere in 2015 with production starting early 2016 at the Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, USA.
Actually, on a chronological basis, we could say that the new X6 is based on the X4, that's how much they resemble. The main difference between them is the size. Even though this prototype is camouflaged, we can still make out its massive rear end and the wide hips at the back.
That was probably done in order to address the complaints the owners had about the lack of headroom in the back. Whether they succeeded or now, we'll find out in a couple of months.
Going over the powertrain and chassis, it's highly likely that the new X6 will be based on the F15 platform and will use the same engines as its SAV brother. Our photographers claim that the car in the pictures below had a really low growl that resembled a V8.
Combined with the massive air intakes at the front, we think we might be looking at an M Sport model, fitted with the 4.4-liter V8 N63 engine that develops 450 HP and 650 Nm (480 lb-ft) of torque.
Other engines should include the 3-liter, 300 HP 6-cylinder N55 unit and 3-liter diesels going from 258 HP to the M50d model with 381 HP and 740 Nm of torque. As for gearboxes, we're expecting the 8-speed ZF automatic to be the most popular.
In light of recent developments, a hybrid plug-in could be possible, just like the Concept5 X5 eDrive. However, the market might be reticent towards such a model, especially since X6 customers are not interested mainly in practicably but rather in the 'cool factor'.
The official release of the new SAC should take place somewhere in 2015 with production starting early 2016 at the Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, USA.
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