Will BMW be successful with what may be the world's largest coupe?
You're looking at the first official images of BMW's unique X6 coupe-crossover.
Released this morning, these show the fully fledged production version of the car that debuted in concept form at this year's Frankfurt motor show and was seen in Sydney in October.
The first models will arrive in Australia in the third quarter of 2008 packing a choice of powerful engines — all of them twin turbo units — with the topline petrol V8 getting in before the year's end. Pricing is expected to start just south of $100,000.
Billed as a “Sports Activity Coupe” it's certainly the mould-breaker BMW claim, combining the body style of a four seat coupe with an all-wheel-drive chassis.
Known rather awkwardly as the X6 xDrive50i, the top model boasts a 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 that's good for 300kW and all of 600Nm — the most powerful mill in any of BMW's X models.
Delivering peak torque from 1,750rpm to 4,500rpm, the xDrive50i gets to 100km/h from standing in a claimed 5.4 seconds. Yet it uses a reasonable 12.5 litres per 100km in combined conditions and, BMW say, outperforms Euro V emission standards.
The salient figures for the xDrive35i are 225kW/400Nm as per the 335i, a 6.7 second sprint time with consumption at 10.9 litres.
But it's the xDrive35d that presents the most impressive performance/economy equation its 3.0-litre variable twin turbo diesel delivering 210kW/580Nm for a 6.9 second time and a thirst of 8.9 litres.
All models are driven through a six-speed automatic transmission with standard shift paddles for the keen driver with xDrive all-wheel tech to vary drive power between the axles. That's backed by Dynamic Performance Control varying torque split between the two rear wheels.
This reportedly outstanding safety feature works either under acceleration or on overrun, maintaining stability even under the sudden load change caused by a swerve or by the driver lifting off mid-corner.
The standard fixtures list on Australian spec X6s will be superior to the X5 SUV and are likely to include crash-activated headrests to complement a full front and curtain airbag outfit, bi-xenon dual headlights including a daytime light function, fog lamps, two-stage brake lights, and run-flat tyres on 19-inch light alloy rims.
Probable options will include Adaptive Drive (with its anti-roll and adaptive dampers), Active Steering, Head-Up Display, Adaptive Headlights, Cornering Lights, High-Beam Assistant, and cruise control with brake function.
The innovative body and interior concept provides for a high opening tailgate. Boot space ranges from 570-litres with all seats filled to 1,450-litres with the rear seats folded.
In its quest to fill every niche BMW has actually created one with the X6. But does the world really want such a mongrel, though admittedly a striking one?
“We definitely think there's a market, albeit a niche one,” BMW Australia spokesman Toni Andreevski says.
“In fact, people in Australia have put money down. We're finding that they're attracted to the coupe body shape with the higher riding position and all-round ability of the X5.”
Bolstered particularly by sales of the 3 Series cioupe and convertible and new X5, Andreevski predicted that the Munich marque will achieve 17,000 Australian sales in 2007.
Cheap tyres 
Credit crunch 
Ford Fiesta 
Hyundai ix35
