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2016 BMW F16 X6 Unveiled in All Its Glory

When BMW launched the original Sport Activity Coupe, most of the automotive world thought they were going mad and that such ‘hybrids’ shouldn’t exist at all. History proved us all wrong and, today, we have another SAC in the Bavarians’ line-up and the competition is working on its own versions.
2016 BMW X6 91 photos
Photo: BMW
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Sure, the sales of the initial model weren’t spectacular but they were good enough to justify the launch of a second model that we see in all its glory today, through a 94-photo gallery.

What you’ll immediately notice is that the new model is looking a lot like the F15 X5 it’s based on. At least from the front. That’s where the headlights look almost identical and bond with the kidney grilles, a feature that was not present on the X6 up until now.

The front bumper though is different, with a new design that keeps the subtle X shape intact without intruding too much. The air intakes at the sides have a new look and are looking even more imposing now, especially in M Sport trim.

Moving to the sides, the same sloping roofline can be observed, meant to suggest a coupe-like body. The rear wheel arches got a new character line that is supposed to take away some of the grunt of the previous model.

Round the back, we’re reminded of the X4, with a new set of taillights that use BMW’s LED strip technology. The rear bumper has a new diffuser and new exhaust tailpipes that look rather good.

Bespoke interior

Inside things have changed even more. The dash went for the same three-dimensional design we’ve seen on the X5, with layered surfaces. Decorative stitching comes as standard and you can now choose the color you wish for it. New, exclusive trims have also been added to the mix.

A standard 10.25” display will now come with the iDrive system on all cars as well as the sport leather steering wheel and the knee pads located on the center console.

The rear backrests can be folded in a 40:20:40 manner to make more room, enlarging the boot capacity from 580 liters to 1,525. Numerous stowage compartments animate the entire cabin and you get access to a wide array of optional features and even the Individual range from the get-go.

Three engines available for starters

Only 3 engines will be available at launch, the entry-level one being the xDrive30d model, fitted with a 3-liter turbocharged diesel engine making 258 HP and 560 Nm (413 lb-ft) of torque. According to BMW, it will return 39 mpg (6 l/100 km) on average.

The second diesel is the ///M Performance Automobile of the X6 range, the M50d. Using a 3-liter triturbo 6-cylinder inline engine making 381 HP and 740 Nm (546 lb-ft) of torque, this one will return 35.6 mpg (6.6 l/100 km) on average while doing 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in 5.2 seconds (0.1 seconds faster than its predecessor).

Last, but not least, we’ll get to indulge ourselves in a petrol V8 fitted to the xDrive50i. Making 450 HP and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque, the fastest model of the early ones will do 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds while returning 24.2 mpg (9.7 l/100 km). All cars will be available only with the 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Later down the road we’ll get more models, the first ones being the xDrive40d (313 HP / 630 Nm diesel) and the xDrive35i (306 HP / 450 Nm petrol), somewhere in Spring 2015.

New Chassis Packages available

As a premiere for the X6 range, the cars will be available with chassis packages that are supposed to solve the suspension problems recent BMWs have been facing.

In this regard, customers will get to pick between 3 different options. First you have the Comfort adaptive suspension package that includes damper control and air suspension for the rear axle. Up next you get the Dynamic package option that includes Adaptive M suspension for firmer dampers. Last but not least you get the Professional adaptive suspension package that combines the Comfort and Dynamic packages for a complete experience. Hopefully, they’ll do what BMW claims they should.

Tech bits like all the latest ConnectedDrive features are also included from the get go and you can get adaptive LED headlights, comfort access, the Professional Navigation System and a plethora of other new features that were previously unavailable.

One interesting feature included here is the Proactive Driving Assistant that uses the navigation system and the automatic gearbox to tell the driver when to ease off the acceleration to save fuel. This works best when approaching a corner or a speed-restricted section of the road.

BMW didn’t specify when the X6 will be shown live and at what event but so far we’re still on schedule for the Moscow premiere that we’ve been talking about. Prices and delivery dates will be disclosed at a later date.
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