BMW arms new X6 M with 600bhp-plus V8
BMW’S NEW X6 M performance Suv-coupé will feature the M5’s 4.4-litre V8 with an anticipated output of more than 600bhp.
M Performance M50d and M50i variants are also planned as BMW proliferates its M sub-brand, although the M50i petrol X6 might not be offered in Europe as it’s geared towards the US market.
The M50d will be powered by a quad-turbo 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine producing more than 400bhp.
All engines will be shared with the mechanically similar new X5. The new X6, like the X5, is based on BMW’S CLAR platform, with double-wishbone front and five-link rear suspension. Air suspension will be an option.
Compared with the previous X6, the roofline will be less coupé-like than before, with a more steeply angled tailgate. At the front, the car will follow the lead of the X5 in adopting the mono-kidney grille. The overall design draws heavily on that of the smaller X4 Suvcoupé, though.
The X6 M will top the range of the third-generation X6, which is expected to make its debut at the Shanghai motor show next April.
Production will remain at BMW’S Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, USA, where prototypes are already being built for testing. A regular X6 prototype was also spotted on the same outing as the pictured X6 M.
The X6 range will kick off with xdrive30d and xdrive40d variants, although a greater petrol-powered offering is expected. The xdrive40i, 50i and 45e models will make up the rest of the range, with the notable addition of the plug-in hybrid.
Inside, the new X6 will be almost identical to the X5, with BMW’S new seventhgeneration idrive infotainment system featuring.
The X5 and new Mercedesbenz GLE both made their first appearances at the Paris motor show earlier this week, which means timings for the new X6 and its most direct rival, the new Mercedes GLE Coupé, are likely to be very similar.
The GLE Coupé will get AMG 53 and 63 variants that are expected to closely match the M-tuned X6 models for performance.