Body style: SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle)
Segment: Medium SUV
Production years: 2008, 2009
BMW introduced the X6 in its lineup in 2008 and stormed the market with its unique-looking coupe-shaped SUV that polarized customers with its love-it or hate-it look.
The German automaker made the first generation of the X6 based on the same platform as the second generation of the X5 (E70), and the car was a disruption for the SUV segment. Moreover, BMW didn’t even call it SUV but SAC, which stood for the Sport Activity Coupe. Apart from its underpinnings, the vehicle didn’t share any body panels with the X5 and offered some unique options tailored specifically for it and unavailable for its sibling. Still, the vehicle came in a difficult moment, right before the world financial crisis struck the automotive segment. But the model survived and thrived.
With its menacing look and big size, the X6 had a commanding look on the road. Its organic-shaped headlights resembled a bird of prey and flanked the narrow grille. Underneath, the automaker offered customers the option for a regular bumper with a rectangular-looking lower grille or the one from the M-Package that sported a trapezoidal air intake flanked by oversized scoops for the fog lamps. In addition, BMW added an underbody element that mimicked a skid plate, although the car was not intended for serious off-road use.
From its profile, the coupe-shaped greenhouse of the X6 created a sporty look for the vehicle, although the tall stance didn’t offer the same feeling. Still, the windshield was raked even more than in the X5. On the rear fascia, the automaker installed the taillights extended from the sloped-down tailgate’s vertical metallic panel towards the rear quarter panels. A fat bumper with an apron underneath it concealed the exhausts, and their number varied from two to four, depending on the engine version, flanking a diffuser.
Inside, the automaker created a four-seat cabin with no option for an additional seat in the back for a third passenger. At the front, customers found high-bolstered bucket seats, unusual for SUVs and crossovers. The driver fronted a mixed instrument panel with large dials for the speedometer and tachometer flanked by the gauges for the fuel level and engine temperature and an LCD for additional information. Depending on the engine and options, a steering wheel with or without paddle shifters was fitted. Atop the center stack, in a separate cluster, BMW installed the iDrive infotainment system that was controlled via a rotary knob placed on the center console.
Under the hood, BMW installed a range of turbo diesel or gasoline inline-six or V8 engines, all paired with six-speed automatic transmissions. The all-wheel-drive system was standard across the range and was electronically controlled to send the most torque to the wheel with the best traction. Furthermore, the LCD placed on the dash could show where the torque was sent.
ENGINE SPECS - xDrive 35i 6AT AWD (306 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L6 |
Displacement: | 2979 cm3 |
Power: | 225 KW @ 5800 RPM 306 HP @ 5800 RPM 302 BHP @ 5800 RPM |
Torque: | 295 lb-ft @ 1300-5000 RPM 400 Nm @ 1300-5000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 22.5 gallons (85.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 149 mph (240 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 6.7 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 255/50 R 19 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 192 in (4877 mm) |
Width: | 78.1 in (1984 mm) |
Height: | 66.5 in (1689 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 64.7/67.2 in (1,643/1,707 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 115.5 in (2934 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.3 in (211 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 20.1 cuFT (569 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4729 lbs (2145 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5886.3 lbs (2670 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 15.7 mpg US (15 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 27.3 mpg US (8.6 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 21.5 mpg US (10.9 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 262 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - xDrive 50i 6AT AWD (406 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | V8 |
Displacement: | 4395 cm3 |
Power: | 299 KW @ 5500-6400 RPM 407 HP @ 5500-6400 RPM 401 BHP @ 5500-6400 RPM |
Torque: | 443 lb-ft @ 1750-4500 RPM 601 Nm @ 1750-4500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 22.5 gallons (85.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 155 mph (249 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 5.4 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 255/50 R 19 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 192 in (4877 mm) |
Width: | 78.1 in (1984 mm) |
Height: | 66.5 in (1689 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 64.7/67.2 in (1,643/1,707 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 115.5 in (2934 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.3 in (211 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 20.1 cuFT (569 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.36 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4993 lbs (2265 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 6261 lbs (2840 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 13.3 mpg US (17.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 24.7 mpg US (9.5 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 18.8 mpg US (12.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 299 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 30d xDrive 8AT AWD (245 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L6 |
Displacement: | 2993 cm3 |
Power: | 180.2 KW @ 4000 RPM 245 HP @ 4000 RPM 242 BHP @ 4000 RPM |
Torque: | 398 lb-ft @ 1750-3000 RPM 540 Nm @ 1750-3000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Turbocharged Common Rail |
Fuel: | Diesel |
Fuel capacity: | 22.5 gallons (85.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 130 mph (209 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 7.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 8-speed automatic Steptronic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 255/50 R 19 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 192 in (4877 mm) |
Width: | 78.1 in (1984 mm) |
Height: | 66.5 in (1689 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 64.7/67.2 in (1,643/1,707 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 115.5 in (2934 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.3 in (211 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 20.1 cuFT (569 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.33 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4575 lbs (2075 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5897 lbs (2675 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 27 mpg US (8.7 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 35.1 mpg US (6.7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 31.8 mpg US (7.4 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 195 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - xDrive 30d 6AT AWD (235 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L6 |
Displacement: | 2993 cm3 |
Power: | 173 KW @ 4000 RPM 235 HP @ 4000 RPM 232 BHP @ 4000 RPM |
Torque: | 384 lb-ft @ 2000-2750 RPM 521 Nm @ 2000-2750 RPM |
Fuel System: | Common Rail |
Fuel: | Diesel |
Fuel capacity: | 22.5 gallons (85.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 137 mph (220 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 255/50 R 19 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 192 in (4877 mm) |
Width: | 78.1 in (1984 mm) |
Height: | 66.5 in (1689 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 64.7/67.2 in (1,643/1,707 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 115.5 in (2934 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.3 in (211 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 20.1 cuFT (569 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.33 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4740 lbs (2150 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5897 lbs (2675 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 22.6 mpg US (10.4 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 33.6 mpg US (7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 28.6 mpg US (8.2 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 217 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - xDrive 35d 6AT AWD (285 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L6 |
Displacement: | 2993 cm3 |
Power: | 210 KW @ 4400 RPM 286 HP @ 4400 RPM 282 BHP @ 4400 RPM |
Torque: | 428 lb-ft @ 1750-2250 RPM 580 Nm @ 1750-2250 RPM |
Fuel System: | Common Rail |
Fuel: | Diesel |
Fuel capacity: | 22.5 gallons (85.2 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 147 mph (237 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 6.9 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 6-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Ventilated Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 255/50 R 19 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 192 in (4877 mm) |
Width: | 78.1 in (1984 mm) |
Height: | 66.5 in (1689 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 64.7/67.2 in (1,643/1,707 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 115.5 in (2934 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.3 in (211 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 20.1 cuFT (569 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 4817 lbs (2185 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 5974.5 lbs (2710 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 22.4 mpg US (10.5 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 33.1 mpg US (7.1 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 28.3 mpg US (8.3 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 220 g/km |