The BMW X6 is a
mid-size luxury crossover SUV
A crossover, crossover SUV, or crossover utility vehicle (CUV) is a type of automobile with an increased ride height that is built on unibody chassis construction shared with passenger cars, as opposed to traditional sport utility vehicles ( ...
by German automaker
BMW. The BMW X6 is the originator of the
sports activity coupé (SAC), referencing its sloping rear roof design. It combines the attributes of an SUV (high ground clearance, all-wheel drive and all-weather ability, large wheels and tires) with the stance of a coupé (styling featuring a sloping roof). It is built in
BMW's North American plant in
Greer, South Carolina
Greer is a city in Greenville and Spartanburg counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 35,308 as of the 2020 census Greer is part of the Greenville– Anderson– Mauldin Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is add ...
alongside the
BMW X5
The BMW X5 is a mid-size luxury SUV produced by BMW. The X5 made its debut in 1999 as the E53 model. It was BMW's first SUV. At launch, it featured all-wheel drive and was available with either a manual or automatic gearbox. The second generatio ...
, whose platform it shares. Prior to the release of the
X7, the X6 was considered a flagship SUV for BMW.
The first generation (E71) was released for sale in April 2008 for the 2008 model year, while the second-generation X6 (F16) was launched at the
Paris Motor Show
The Paris Motor Show (french: Mondial de l'Automobile) is a biennial auto show in Paris. Held during October, it is one of the most important auto shows, often with many new production automobile and concept car debuts. The show presently take ...
in 2014. The third-generation X6 was revealed in July 2019.
BMW Concept X6 (2007)
![BMW Concept X6 (front quarter)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/BMW_Concept_X6_%28front_quarter%29.jpg)
The concept model debuted at the
2007 Frankfurt Auto Show and the production X6 officially debuted at the
2008 North American International Auto Show in
Detroit
Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...
and
Montreal International Auto Show
The Montreal International Auto Show (''Le Salon International de l'Auto de Montréal'' in French) is an annual auto show held for 10 days in mid-to-late January in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It usually takes place at the Palais des congrès de Mon ...
. While slightly longer and wider than the
X5, it is significantly lower and seated initially only four, and since 2011, optionally five.
First generation (E71; 2008)
![2008-2012 BMW X6 (E71) xDrive35d wagon (2018-09-03) 02](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/2008-2012_BMW_X6_%28E71%29_xDrive35d_wagon_%282018-09-03%29_02.jpg)
E71 development began in 2003 under Peter Tuennermann, after start of
E70 X5 development in 2001. Design work by E70 X5 designer Pierre Leclercq was frozen in 2005, with test mules being run from the summer of 2005 and prototypes being tested from late 2006. Production began on December 3, 2007.
![BMW X6 xDrive35d Cockpit](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/BMW_X6_xDrive35d_Cockpit.jpg)
The X6 marks BMW's first use of its new
Dynamic Performance Control
Torque vectoring is a technology employed in automobile differentials that has the ability to vary the torque to each half-shaft with an electronic system; or in rail vehicles which achieve the same using individually motored wheels. This metho ...
system, which works in unison with
xDrive
BMW xDrive is the marketing name for the all-wheel drive system found on various BMW models since 2003. The system uses an electronically-actuated clutch-pack differential to vary the torque between the front and rear axles. Models with the DPC t ...
all-wheel drive
An all-wheel drive vehicle (AWD vehicle) is one with a powertrain capable of providing power to all its wheels, whether full-time or on-demand.
The most common forms of all-wheel drive are:
;1x1 : All unicycles Reflecting one axle with one w ...
, both being standard on the X6. DPC is a drivetrain and chassis control system that works to regulate
traction and especially correct over- and understeer by actively spreading out drive forces across the rear axle.
Torque
In physics and mechanics, torque is the rotational equivalent of linear force. It is also referred to as the moment of force (also abbreviated to moment). It represents the capability of a force to produce change in the rotational motion of th ...
is distributed not only between the front and rear wheels (xDrive) but also from side to side at the rear, for improved agility and added stability (through the DPC rear axle). This lateral distribution of torque is commonly known as
torque vectoring
Torque vectoring is a technology employed in automobile differentials that has the ability to vary the torque to each half-shaft with an electronic system; or in rail vehicles which achieve the same using individually motored wheels. This method ...
.
The DPC differential features clutch packs on both output sides that are actuated by an electric motor. The clutch pack activates a
planetary gearset which causes one wheel to be
overdriven
Distortion and overdrive are forms of audio signal processing used to alter the sound of amplified electric musical instruments, usually by increasing their gain (electronics), gain, producing a "fuzzy", "growling", or "gritty" tone. Distort ...
. A conventional control system will use the brakes to reduce the speed of the faster moving wheel (which is the one with less traction) and reduce engine power. This leads to increased brake wear and slower than optimal progress. The DPC system speeds up the slower moving wheel (the one with the most traction) in order to maintain stability when needed. For example; while turning, the outer wheel is overdriven to provide greater acceleration using the traction advantage through the dynamic loading of the outboard wheel in cornering. In an oversteer situation, the inner wheel is overdriven to regain traction balance.
BMW X6 M (2009–2014)
In April 2009, the X6 M version was announced, with a version of the
BMW S63
The BMW N63 is a twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine which has been in production from 2008 to present. The N63 is the world's first production car engine to use a "hot-vee" layout, with the turbochargers located inside the "V" of the engine. It is ...
4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine.
The BMW X6 M and
X5 M are the first vehicles from
BMW M
BMW M GmbH, formerly known as BMW Motorsport GmbH, is a subsidiary of BMW, BMW AG that manufactures high-performance cars.
BMW M ("M" for "motorsport") was initially created to facilitate BMW's racing program, which was very successful in the ...
GmbH to have
xDrive
BMW xDrive is the marketing name for the all-wheel drive system found on various BMW models since 2003. The system uses an electronically-actuated clutch-pack differential to vary the torque between the front and rear axles. Models with the DPC t ...
all-wheel-drive system and automatic transmissions, and are also crossovers as opposed to passenger cars. The X6 M was unveiled at the
2009 New York Auto Show and first went on sale in September 2009.
The high-performance
M derivative features a twin scroll twin turbo version of the 4.4-litre V8
BMW S63
The BMW N63 is a twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine which has been in production from 2008 to present. The N63 is the world's first production car engine to use a "hot-vee" layout, with the turbochargers located inside the "V" of the engine. It is ...
engine with the Cylinder-bank Comprehensive Manifold (CCM). The engine is rated at 6,000 rpm and at 1,500–5,650 rpm.
Other features include 6-speed M Sports automatic transmission with aluminum pull-style paddles on the steering wheel, M Dynamic Mode feature, lower Adaptive Drive suspension, 4-piston fixed calipers with 15.6" rotor at front and single piston floating calipers with 15.2" rotor at rear, 20-inch alloy wheels with 275/40R20 front and 315/35R20 run flat tires, hill descent control, dynamic stability control, special gills in the front fenders, 20-inch light-alloy wheels.
The car can accelerate from in 4.5 seconds and in 4.7 seconds.
M Performance Parts were available for the X6 M. These include black kidney grilles, a carbon fibre spoiler, steel pedals, a sport steering wheel and M rims.
ActiveHybrid X6 (E72; 2009–2010)
![BMW X6-ActiveHybrid Rear-view](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/BMW_X6-ActiveHybrid_Rear-view.JPG)
The BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid is the concept vehicle of
BMWs first full-hybrid vehicle and was revealed at the
Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung
The International Motor Show Germany or International Mobility Show Germany, in German known as the ''Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung'' (''IAA'' – International Automobile Exhibition), is one of the world's largest mobility shows. It cons ...
Frankfurt in September 2007.
BMWs first mild-hybrid
BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid Generation 1 was revealed at the
Paris Motor Show
The Paris Motor Show (french: Mondial de l'Automobile) is a biennial auto show in Paris. Held during October, it is one of the most important auto shows, often with many new production automobile and concept car debuts. The show presently take ...
in October 2008. Both cars made their market debuts at the end of 2009 and the X6 Hybrid can drive in pure electrical mode at low speeds. The Active Hybrid 7 Generation 1 does not have this ability.
The BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid uses the V8 Twin Turbo with High Precision Injection that powers the BMW X6 xDrive50i.
A defining feature of the BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid is its Two-Mode active transmission, an innovative technology that controls the interplay of the electrical motors and the internal combustion engine. The car can operate in two modes: mode 1 delivers high torque when pulling away from a standing start and at low speeds, while mode 2 is suited for higher speeds. The result is that the car always uses the available power resources in the most efficient possible way, whatever speed it is travelling at.
The ActiveHybrid X6 made its world premiere at the
Frankfurt Motor Show
The International Motor Show Germany or International Mobility Show Germany, in German known as the ''Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung'' (''IAA'' – International Automobile Exhibition), is one of the world's largest mobility shows. It cons ...
(IAA) in September 2009.
In late 2009, BMW introduced an X6 featuring a version of the
Global Hybrid Cooperation
Global Hybrid Cooperation, formerly Advanced Hybrid System 2 (AHS2), is a set of hybrid vehicle technologies jointly developed by General Motors, Daimler, and Chrysler LLC, with BMW joining in 2005. It uses 2 or 3 planetary gearsets in an autom ...
hybrid vehicle drivetrain
Hybrid vehicle drivetrains transmit power to the driving wheels for hybrid vehicles. A hybrid vehicle has multiple forms of motive power.
Hybrids come in many configurations. For example, a hybrid may receive its energy by burning gasoline, but s ...
, popularly known as the two-mode hybrid system.
[BMW, Daimler, GM hybrid alliance nears end]
, Matthias Krust, Automotive News
''Automotive News'' is a weekly newspaper written for the automotive industry, predominantly individuals corresponding with automobile manufacturers and automotive suppliers. Based in Detroit and owned by Crain Communications Inc, ''Automotive ...
, July 14, 2009 This car was confirmed as being called the BMW ActiveHybrid X6, and it is the world's most powerful hybrid vehicle; it is not sold in the UK. The production vehicle was unveiled alongside a 7 Series hybrid at the
2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The ActiveHybrid X6 went on sale in December 2009 in the US market with a base price of US$89,765.
The drive system featured in the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 consists of a V8 power unit with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology and two electric engines developing and, respectively, . Maximum system output is and peak torque is .
BMW ActiveHybrid technology offers the driver three significant options: to drive under electric power alone, to use the power of the combustion engine, or to benefit from the combination of both drive modes for short periods of maximum acceleration, using the maximum. Driving completely free of in the electric mode is possible up to a speed of . The hybrid also employs stop-start technology and other energy saving measures to help improve efficiency. The core-vehicle is however very heavy and the petrol power unit limits the extent to which fuel consumption can be reduced in absolute terms. The Turbo-Diesel models in the X6 range use less fuel, for example.
Engines
Petrol engines
The base model is the X6 xDrive35i which is powered by the 225 kW version of the
N54 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged
inline-six gasoline engine. The top-of-the-line model is the xDrive50i which uses the
N63 V8 engine
A V8 engine is an eight-cylinder piston engine in which two banks of four cylinders share a common crankshaft and are arranged in a V configuration.
The first V8 engine was produced by the French Antoinette company in 1904, developed and us ...
, producing .
Diesel engines
![BMW X6 E71 facelift 02 China 2015-04-13](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/BMW_X6_E71_facelift_02_China_2015-04-13.jpg)
At launch, the X6 was available in many markets with two diesel variants: the xDrive30d and xDrive35d, respectively. They are powered by BMW's 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine (in its sequential twin-turbocharged variant for the xDrive35d), and produces in the xDrive30d and in the xDrive35d version. The second of these power units formed the basis of BMW's diesel launch in all 50 states in late 2008.
By 2010, a new 40d was added to the range, replacing the 35d, and in 2012 a new high-performance M50d was added, but despite its nomenclature, is still powered by a 3.0-litre engine.
Second generation (F16; 2015)
![2018 BMW X6 xDrive30d M Sport Automatic 3](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/2018_BMW_X6_xDrive30d_M_Sport_Automatic_3.0_Rear.jpg)
The second generation X6 was launched at the
2014 Paris Motor Show featuring a new eight-speed automatic transmission and a slightly larger luggage bay. Sales in most markets commenced by the end of 2014.
Like the other models in the BMW range powered by the twin-turbo 4.4-litre V-8, the xDrive50i benefits from increased the power of a newer engine, which is and more than its predecessor rising to at 5500 rpm and of torque at 2000 rpm.
The X6 M (F86) BMW M performance model was unveiled in
Losail International Circuit
The Losail International Circuit or Lusail International Circuit (Arabic: حلبة لوسيل الدولية) is a motor racing circuit located just outside the city of Lusail, north of Doha, Qatar.
Built in just under a year by 1,000 workers ...
in
Qatar
Qatar (, ; ar, قطر, Qaṭar ; local vernacular pronunciation: ), officially the State of Qatar,) is a country in Western Asia. It occupies the Qatar Peninsula on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East; it sh ...
, and is one of the quickest vehicles of its type.
M Performance Parts can be fitted to 25-50 models with the M Sport trim. These include a sport steering wheel, carbon fibre trim, aluminium pedals, black kidney grilles, M Rims, mirrors, rear flaps, diffuser, splitter, spoiler in carbon fibre, black side skirts and sport brakes. 30d and 35i models can get a power boost kit increasing power and torque to and on the 30d and to and on the 35i.
Full M models have their own M Performance Parts. These include black kidney grilles, a carbon fibre gear selector, a sport steering wheel, carbon fibre mirrors, black side vents, carbon fibre trim and fuel filler cap.
Standard trim BMW X6 F16 models get softer and more comfortable suspension and tire setup with a more executive design and the addition of optional side steps.
Petrol engines
Diesel engines
Third generation (G06; 2020)
The third-generation X6 was unveiled on 3 July 2019 and sports more aggressive bodywork including an angular grille which can be illuminated as an option for the first time on a BMW. An M50i performance model is also new, replacing the xDrive50i model. The headlights mirror those on the X5, but the bumper designs and taillights are unique to the X6. Inside, a panoramic roof is standard, and 83 percent larger than the previous X6's. Sales began in November 2019. The X6 M and X6 M Competition performance models were revealed on 1 October 2019.
Development and launch
The G06 X6 is based on the
CLAR platform and features a
double wishbone
A double wishbone suspension is an independent suspension design for automobiles using two (occasionally parallel) wishbone-shaped arms to locate the wheel. Each wishbone or arm has two mounting points to the chassis and one joint at the knuckl ...
front suspension and
five-link rear suspension. Compared to its predecessor, it is longer, wider, and lower. The boot capacity is and liters with the 40:40:40 split seats lowered. All G06 X6 models adhere to the
Euro 6d-Temp emissions standard.
At the
2019 Frankfurt Motor Show BMW unveiled a G06 with
Vantablack
Vantablack is a brand name for a class of super-black coatings with total hemispherical reflectances (THR) below 1.5% in the visible spectrum. The coatings were invented by Ben Jensen, who first publicly unveiled them in July 2014, and commercia ...
paint. However BMW does not plan on producing the color on production models.
File:2020 BMW X6 xDrive30d M Sport Automatic 3.0.jpg, 2020 BMW X6 xDrive30d M Sport
File:BMW G06 Sindelfingen 2020 IMG 2322.jpg, 2020 BMW X6 xDrive30d M Sport
File:BMW X6 M (G06) IMG 3374.jpg, BMW X6 M
File:2019 BMW X6 M50d Interior.jpg, Interior
File:BMW G06 Vantablack at IAA 2019 IMG 0487.jpg, BMW X6 Vantablack
Awards
* In January 2021, the X6 xDrive30d M Sport was named
Coupé
A coupe or coupé (, ) is a passenger car with a sloping or truncated rear roofline and two doors.
The term ''coupé'' was first applied to horse-drawn carriages for two passengers without rear-facing seats. It comes from the French past parti ...
SUV
A sport utility vehicle (SUV) is a car classification that combines elements of road-going passenger cars with features from off-road vehicles, such as raised ground clearance and four-wheel drive.
There is no commonly agreed-upon definiti ...
of the Year by ''
What Car?
''What Car?'' is a British monthly automobile magazine and website, currently edited by Steve Huntingford and published by Haymarket Consumer Media. Other team members include deputy editor Darren Moss and test editors Will Nightingale, Neil ...
'' magazine. ''What Car?'' awarded the X6 four stars out of five in its review of the car.
Equipment
The G06 X6 is available in xLine or M Sport trim. xLine models feature 19-inch wheels, chrome trim, and
underbody protection. M Sport models feature gloss black trim, M Sport styling, M Sport Suspension, and M Sport brakes. M50i and M50d models also feature an M Sport exhaust and an electronically controlled
limited slip differential
A limited-slip differential (LSD) is a type of differential that allows its two output shafts to rotate at different speeds but limits the maximum difference between the two shafts. Limited-slip differentials are often known by the generic tr ...
. All models feature LED headlights, welcome light carpet, and
iDrive
iDrive is an in-car communications and entertainment system, used to control most secondary vehicle systems in late-model BMW cars. It was launched in 2001, first appearing in the E65 7 Series. The system unifies an array of functions under a ...
7.0 with two 12.3-inch displays and the BMW
personal digital assistant
A personal digital assistant (PDA), also known as a handheld PC, is a variety mobile device which functions as a personal information manager. PDAs have been mostly displaced by the widespread adoption of highly capable smartphones, in partic ...
.
Optional equipment includes indicators, laser headlights, an illuminated kidney grille, heated and cooled cupholders, and
air suspension
Air suspension is a type of vehicle suspension powered by an electric or engine-driven air pump or compressor. This compressor pumps the air into a flexible bellows, usually made from textile-reinforced rubber. Unlike hydropneumatic suspension, ...
which can raised or lowered by and can be configured with snow, sand, gravel, or rock terrain modes. The G06 X6 can also be optioned with Reverse Assistant, which memorises the last 50 meters travelled and can automatically reverse in that path.
30-40 models with the M Sport trim and M50 Models can be fitted with M Performance Parts. These include a carbon fibre spoiler, M rims, a sport steering wheel, a carbon fibre kidney grille, carbon fibre mirrors and carbon fibre side skirts.
Full M specific M Performance Parts can be fitted to all X6 M models. These include carbon fibre kidney grilles, a carbon fibre diffuser, a carbon fibre spoiler and a sport steering wheel.
Petrol engines
Diesel engines
Production and sales
References
External links
Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bmw X6
Cars introduced in 2007
X6
Crossover sport utility vehicles
Luxury crossover sport utility vehicles
Luxury sport utility vehicles
All-wheel-drive vehicles
2010s cars
Motor vehicles manufactured in the United States