The brawny machine that began a revolution of sorts in the SUV styling circles, the X6, is a pioneer. Doing the unthinkable by fusing sports cars’ swooping roofline to the unadulterated, raw brawn of an authentic SUV, the X6 took a sharp snipe at the traditionalists. Big, bold and beautiful, the X6, even after facing staunch criticism by the purists managed to leave an indelible mark on the history of automobile design, and went on to create a legacy for BMW ever since it first came into being in 2008.
Since its market launch, more than 150,000 of the Sport Activity Coupé were sold within approximately three years. This exceeded the original estimates for this eccentric concept. The MY 2013 version of the unorthodox machine saw BMW bring in noticeable design changes as well as some technical enhancements to the stylish car. We took the Xdrive 40d diesel-engined monster out for a day in the jungle via the pristine Mumbai Nasik highway to see what it was capable of. With more than 300 horses and 600Nm under its chiseled bonnet it sure was a thunderous contraption to be behind the wheel of. Here’s what it felt like.
Design
BMW call the X6 the world’s first ever Sports Activity Coupé – and they have the right to the fancy name, for they, in a sense created a whole new genre with this one. The coupe shaped SUV in its MY 2013 features some clear changes in design. The headline about the changes on the 2013 X6 is some strong accentuations at front and rear and the inclusion of adaptive LEDs as a new option.
The standard fog lights are now set in matt finish surrounds in the upper area of the outer air inlets. The position of the fog lamps is now higher and they positioned more laterally to emphasize the width of the vehicle. The humongous BMW kidney grille has its bars remodeled – angled in the lower section they make the grille look more prominent. Also, the angle of the grille bars is flush with the bottom of the headlamp units, further enhancing the wide, squat stance of the car. Featuring one of the biggest kidney grilles on a BMW, the X6 reeks aggression and belligerence when viewed front on.
Based on the X5’s terrific, segment defining and defying platform, the X6 was transported from concept to production phase with little adulteration. While disproportionate from certain angles, the X6 does manage to look smashing from certain other angles.
At the back you get an upswept under cladding in the shape of a diffuser. Sure it is a faux unit, but visually it does its bit to add some more muscle to the rear end. The twin exhausts positioned at the lower edges of the massive rear bumper is another touch to enhance sportiness.
In order to match that beefy, brawny front, the design blokes at BMW added some serious mass to its behind as well. The rear boot lid is high set, the bumper is huge and the X6 boasts one of the biggest posteriors in the automotive world. This works to balance the frontal beef with an equally imposing rear end. The pronounced wheel arches, strong haunches and horizontal lines at the rear end further help to keep things well proportioned and tight.
Overall, the X6 has a high shoulder line, beefy bonnet, a prominent crease running across its waist, a sharply swooping roofline and a gargantuan boot. It’s got presence, massive presence, without any shade of doubt. Parked side by side, it can even make the X5 look meek in comparison. Personally, I like the way this car looks when viewed front on, from the front three quarters and at the rear. In profile, however, its unusual shape takes a while to sink in.
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