SIX-PACKED

BMW’s controversial coupe-shaped SUV returns in second generation guise. Andy Enright reports

BMW’s controversial coupe-shaped SUV returns in second generation guise. Andy Enright reports. The BMW X6 looks broadly similar than before, but don’t be fooled by the lookalike silhouette. It’s bigger, more powerful and more efficient than before. Love it or hate it, you have to respect a vehicle that’s sold over a quarter of a million units and which has evolved into something rather special. The range consists of a trio of diesel models, with a petrol variant that’s certain to remain a rare sight. It opens with the 258PS 3.0-litre six-cylinder xDrive30d. Even this one’s not slow, accelerating through 62mph in just 6.7 seconds. Not quick enough? Then you might well gravitate to either the 313PS xDrive40d or the powerhouse tri-turbo 380PS M50d which will detain you for just 5.2 seconds on the sprint to 62mph. The sole petrol offering is the V8 xDrive50i that is good for 443PS and which, like the rest of the range, sends drive to all four wheels via a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. The X6 makes a great riposte to those who still rail against big, inefficient vehicles. While it would find it difficult to deny the charge based on size, it’s anything but inefficient. In fact there are some superminis that can’t match the X6 xDrive30d’s 47.1mpg and 157g/km. Even the M50d emits just 174g/km. That’s still less than the original Ford Fiesta ST. Okay so the V8 petrol X6 xDrive50i is a fair bit thirstier, but it’s 22 per cent more economical than before, with emissions pegged at a hardly catastrophic 225g/km. There’s more space inside too, and versatility has been improved with a 40:20:40 folding rear bench seat and a luggage bay that gets 75-litres bigger than before, now measuring up to 1,525-litres with the seats folded. That’s good, but it’s still about 350-litres less than an X5. That’s the price you pay for the rakish rear end.