| Concept Car | Frankfurt Motor Show | BMW X6 concept |
You're looking at BMW's new assault on the ever-expanding SUV sector. Although hailed as a mere concept, expect the X6 to make it into showrooms with a range of petrol and diesel motors, possibly including a V10 variant used exclusively in M models. In
Frankfurt this week however, the X6 featured a hybrid combustion engine with two electric motors and a battery pack, reportedly 20 percent more fuel efficient than a normal unit.
BMW is keen to emphasise the X6's sporting credentials, fitting the car with its latest 'Dynamic Performance Control' that varies the driving forces to each wheel during cornering, helping to maintain a flat and stable trajectory with good traction.
What most will aspire to however, are the looks. Based on
the X5, but 70mm lower, the X6 combines a coupé-like rear with a bruising and muscular front that sees the German manufacturer's trademark kidney-shaped grille surrounded by large lower-corner trapezoidal air intakes complete with fog lamps. The X6 is without door pillars adding to the sloping coupé look that will almost certainly appeal to most onlookers, as will its bulging wheelarches and 21-inch alloy wheels. The concept features aero-efficient two-piece wing mirrors that sit above a pronounced waistline, continuing onto the rear haunches giving the car a great squat look.
Sources suggest BMW could sell 40,000 X6s a year when it makes production. We think it will and don't expect much deviation from the concept's looks either when the production car is shown at the
Detroit Show in January.
Kyle Molyneux - 15 Sep 2007