Coupe could be a real coup for BMW

Just in time to be the latest status symbol for summer.

The X6 is an unlikely marriage between an X5 SUV (on which it's based) and a 6 Series coupe, producing a supersized offspring.

This is niche marketing at its best, a low-volume model targeting a specific but high-profile audience. BMW has even coined a new designer name: the Sports Activity Coupe.

Calling it a coupe may be a bit of marketing tongue-in-cheek, but in Europe, where it has only been on sale for a couple of months, it's been getting plenty of nods of approval and attracting plenty of head turning.

The X6 xDrive 50i, priced at $145,000, joins the lesser-powered bi-turbo six-cylinder petrol ($114,705) and diesel ($120,530) which gives BMW a three-model line-up to steal sales from rivals, Porsche and Range Rover.

BMW is still counting the numbers but says it has already found homes for about 105 of the six-cylinder X6s. It has tipped total X6 sales for the year will exceed 300 with the arrival of the V8 in three months time.

Those sales are predicted to rise to between 400 and 500 wagons next year.

And who is buying it? Obviously those with plenty of testosterone in reserve.

BMW spokesman Toni Andreevski says the X6 will appeal to Range Rover or Porsche buyers or those seeking a more macho wagon than conventional SUVs such as the X5 which attracts women drivers.

“We see it appealing to people like 911 owners who want a second car, one which seats more than two and has the luggage space so they can take their friends down to their yacht, or away for a skiing weekend,” Andreevski says.

The X6 is anything but conventional; purists would argue it is not a coupe because it has four doors, the plump styling with its dramatically sloping rear roof line is, to be polite, challenging. It only seats four, rear head room is passable, the view through the letterbox rear window is almost non-existent and the V8 is less than green friendly.

But while history is littered with one-hit wonders it also shows some of the world's greatest cars were less than conventional, so BMW may have the last laugh after all.

There's no question the X6 packs an awesome punch: the direct injection, twin turbo (one for each cylinder bank) 4.4-litre V8 is a first from BMW. Neatly tucked away under the bonnet, the V8 provides 300kW and 600Nm of torque to play with through a six-speed sequential auto transmission.

Peak torque is on tap from 1750 to 4500rpm, providing wonderful flexibility and outstanding sports car-like performance. The same engine, slightly detuned, will also be used in the next Seven Series due next year.

BMW points to its “frugal” fuel consumption (a relative description for such a powerful all-wheel drive vehicle that weighs in at over two tonnes) of 13.8 litres per 100km.

On fuel consumption and gas emissions the X6 however betters the naturally aspirated Porsche Cayenne (15.1 litres per 100km; 361g/km) and the Range Rover supercharged Sport (15.9 litres per 100km; 374g/km).

It's also more powerful, in both peak kilowatts and torque, than its rivals.

While X6, governed to 250km/h, can't quite match the maximum speed of the Cayenne, it is quicker in acceleration, taking a claimed 5.4 seconds to hit 100km/h.

As for the drive? The X6 is both remarkable and a little annoying. You would expect a cumbersome looking all-wheel wagon to be a pig when pushed. Far from it. There's sports car handling in its road manners.

That is helped of course by its power and torque output, but that's all well managed on the road thanks to some very clever electronics that BMW has used.

While xDrive distributes drive between front and rear axles, the really smart bit is the inclusion of what BMW calls Dynamic Performance Control, which varies the torque between the rear wheels — designed to deliver more torque to the outside wheel which needs it to drive it out of a corner. Add massive 385mm brakes and 20-inch wheels shod with wide rubber, adaptive steering, a self-levelling pneumatic suspension and the X6 has an ability to rocket out of corners.

Creature comforts for Australian models will include a revised version of BMW's controversial iDrive, a choice of four trim finishes, power adjustable front seats leather upholstery, heads-up display, four-zone automatic air conditioning and a 16-speaker hi-fi audio system.

SNAPSHOT

BMW X6

xDrive 50i

Price: from $145,000

Engine: 4.4L/V8 twin turbo; 300kW/600Nm

Transmission: 6-speed sequential auto

Performance: 0-100km/h 5.4 sec.