Photo: Catalin Garmacea
BMW had a crazy idea once and they simply went with it. They decided to create an SUV with a coupe-like roofline and just call it a Sport Activity Coupe. The first model went out in 2008 and stunned the world over. Now it’s time to tell you all about the second coming, the 2015 F16 X6 in our extensive review.
It’s been said so many times but we simply can’t get over how bulky and mean this new model looks. The old one had sleeker headlights and smaller air intakes all over the place adorned with narrower kidney grilles up front and thinner taillights round the back.
It’s no longer the case with the new X6 that is now living up to the reputation it has around the world as a bruiser. Now, the SAC is bigger, longer, wider and taller and you can definitely tell even without using a ruler to measure every dimension around it.
While stylistically it’s a definite step up, those changes also had to happen to address some of the issues people complained about in the first iteration. Such issues include and revolve around the room passengers had in the back seats.
You see, if you’re over 6 feet tall (184 cm) you wouldn’t have fit back there but on the new model that’s no longer an issue. That’s because the rear seats have been moved towards the back and lower in the cabin to offer more headroom.
And the engineers were successful. Not only in that department but they also managed to offer more legroom in the car compared to its more utilitarian brother, the X5.
On the engine front, the X6 range has plenty of choices. The entry level European model is the xDrive30d while in the US the sDrive35i model takes this spot. You read that right, it’s sDrive and not xDrive because it’s actually rear-wheel drive.
The top end models will be of more interest though, like the xDrive50i and M Performance Automobile, the M50d. While the former as a 4.4-liter V8 with 450 HP and 650 Nm (484 lb-ft) of torque the latter brings a tri-turbo 3-liter inline 6-cylinder diesel to the table with 381 HP and 740 Nm (546 lb-ft) of torque.
Both of them pull like there’s a gaping crack opening behind the car and you have to get out of there in a hurry. The advantage goes to the petrol though as it has a more pleasant sound to it.
That being said, the new model is more than a step up in the evolution chain. It’s improvements are visible everywhere, especially inside where BMW has gone to extreme lengths to prove that luxury can also be mixed with sportiness. The old spartan interior of the X6 is gone and we’re excited about the new one.
When BMW launched the new X5 they proudly said that 'the boss is back' but testing the two side by side we can definitely tell you that the real boss comeback refers to the X6. Don’t take this short guide as an absolute truth, do that after reading our full review.
It’s no longer the case with the new X6 that is now living up to the reputation it has around the world as a bruiser. Now, the SAC is bigger, longer, wider and taller and you can definitely tell even without using a ruler to measure every dimension around it.
While stylistically it’s a definite step up, those changes also had to happen to address some of the issues people complained about in the first iteration. Such issues include and revolve around the room passengers had in the back seats.
You see, if you’re over 6 feet tall (184 cm) you wouldn’t have fit back there but on the new model that’s no longer an issue. That’s because the rear seats have been moved towards the back and lower in the cabin to offer more headroom.
And the engineers were successful. Not only in that department but they also managed to offer more legroom in the car compared to its more utilitarian brother, the X5.
On the engine front, the X6 range has plenty of choices. The entry level European model is the xDrive30d while in the US the sDrive35i model takes this spot. You read that right, it’s sDrive and not xDrive because it’s actually rear-wheel drive.
The top end models will be of more interest though, like the xDrive50i and M Performance Automobile, the M50d. While the former as a 4.4-liter V8 with 450 HP and 650 Nm (484 lb-ft) of torque the latter brings a tri-turbo 3-liter inline 6-cylinder diesel to the table with 381 HP and 740 Nm (546 lb-ft) of torque.
Both of them pull like there’s a gaping crack opening behind the car and you have to get out of there in a hurry. The advantage goes to the petrol though as it has a more pleasant sound to it.
That being said, the new model is more than a step up in the evolution chain. It’s improvements are visible everywhere, especially inside where BMW has gone to extreme lengths to prove that luxury can also be mixed with sportiness. The old spartan interior of the X6 is gone and we’re excited about the new one.
When BMW launched the new X5 they proudly said that 'the boss is back' but testing the two side by side we can definitely tell you that the real boss comeback refers to the X6. Don’t take this short guide as an absolute truth, do that after reading our full review.
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