A contradiction of sorts, BMW’s big and brawny X6 answers as many questions as it leaves unanswered
Nitish Ramanujam

If it were a person, the X6 would most likely be ascribed the traits of a Gemini - at odds with its own self and slightly pointless, but definitely the show stopper. BMW’s unabashed attempt at creating a niche that nobody ever really asked for (how does Sports Activity Coupe sound?), and pulling it off quite successfully, reveals how a good number of people want to be seen in something other than run-of-the-mill sedans, SUVs and sports cars. Mix one part each of the three aforementioned body styles and, ta-dah!, you have the BMW X6, which is as big as an SUV, has coupe-like styling and treats you to some surprisingly sporty performance.

To be frank, I never really liked the early spy shots or, for that matter, the press pictures of the first production cars. After living with one for a few days, I’m not going to change my opinion on a roll; the X6 still looks a bit strange, but street presence it has in bucket loads.

It is an accepted fact that most folks buy Rangeys and Cayennes for the flaunt factor; for the serious mud-pluggers, there are the Landcruisers and Patrols. There is no doubt the former are absolutely capable in the dunes, but would you really appreciate scratches on your expensive 4WD? I think not. Then there are the set of people who buy an SUV for the high seating position and perceived sense of security it affords, but balk at the rather pedestrian on-road dynamics. With the X6, BMW intends to change all that, and it does to a certain degree.

Stylistically, the X6 is an amalgamation of a large coupe and the X5 SUV (or SAV, as BMW call it). Low-slung side windows and a roofline tapering out to the rear mean you won’t be mistaking this for anything else in the parking lot, while huge air intakes, increased ground clearance, broad shoulders and massive 20-inch rims complete the don’t-mess-with-me look.

The sizeable proportions - it’s longer and wider than the X5 - could lead you to think that the X6 will accommodate five adults comfortably. Not so, as the coupe ideology translates into just four, albeit sumptuous, seats. Rear luggage area, while generous, takes a beating in the vertical department, thanks to the tapering roofline. It’s a four-door coupe and all this is in the name of style, so I guess we can’t complain.

Now, the X6 comes with an SUV-like stance and four-wheel drive, but taking it wadi bashing isn’t what we, or BMW, would really appreciate. This is a poseur automobile meant for attracting admiring glances and performing exceedingly well on tarmac, while allowing for the all-important high vantage point – the X6 does its intended job commendably well. Once we got accustomed to the styling eccentricities, limited interior accommodation and the fact that it’s no hardcore off-roader, things were much easier, helping us warm up to the big BMW’s best bit - the fabulous performance.

Two engine variants are available in the region, a healthy six-pot as well as the mighty V8 our tester came equipped with. Rather annoyingly nomenclatured, the xDrive50i comes to battle with a 4.4-litre V8 that is twin turbocharged for good measure. Nestled in the vee of the cylinder bank, the compact turbos help the motor belt out 400hp and 610Nm of torque, good enough to see the 2.5-ton beast hit 0-100kph in a scant 5.4 seconds, and on to an electronically limited top speed of 255kph.

Ok, so it’s fast in a straight line, but shouldn’t vehicles with a high centre of gravity be quite tardy on the twisties? Wrong. We know BMW concoct some of the most sublime driving experiences out there, but making a big, tall SUV handle the way the X6 does is quite something. Maybe it has something to do with the layer of technology and electronics under the skin, including BMW’s intelligent xDrive technology, Dynamic Stability Control, optional Active Steering and Adaptive Drive, as well as standard Dynamic Performance Control, together with the wider rear track.

While xDrive transfers the right dosage of power and torque between the front and rear axles, DPC works its magic by transferring power between the left and right rear wheels. For instance, when the vehicle starts to understeer, xDrive reduces the transmission of power to the rear wheels pushing to the outside, and DPC cuts in additionally to withdraw drive power from the outer rear wheel subject to high centrifugal forces, diverting this extra power to the inner rear wheel. This stabilising effect is built up so quickly and precisely that the driver will not even notice what is happening. Amazing, isn’t it? And the best part is you don’t have to be doing illegal speeds to activate this tech, the electronics are aiding you at all times, even at city speeds.

The Dynamic Stability Control, which is required less frequently thanks to xDrive and DPC, encompasses further functions including ABS, Automatic Stability Control, Trailer Stability Control, Hill Descent Control, Dynamic Brake Control maximising brake pressure whenever required in a particular case, Cornering Brake Control, and Automatic Cruise Control complete with a brake function. The DSC also features a special mode called Dynamic Traction Control that raises the response thresholds of DSC to an appropriately higher level, allowing for a sporting style of motoring and enabling the driver to set off on loose sand with the drive wheels slightly spinning.

So it is a wonderful piece of machinery alright, defying the laws of physics and drawing interested glances wherever it goes, but the niggling point remains. Why not just buy an M3? It’s a real coupe and seats four, in addition to being lighter, more agile and quite a bit cheaper. However, for those who insist on plonking cash on the xDrive50i, we’ll tell you that you will be mighty happy with the brilliant dynamics and the performance from the gem of an engine. Any complaints? We’re really hurting for a drive in the new, smoking hot 547hp X6 M. What better way to ride out the crisis than in a tire smoking display of excessive indulgence.