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First Drive: 2015 BMW X6
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First Drive: 2015 BMW X6

·
August 9,2015
·
4 min read

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BMW introduced a brand new segment in 2008 called ‘Sport Activity Vehicle’ with the X6. And, to everyone’s surprise, the model sold very well and carved a niche for itself among its peers. Now, 8 years later, the X6 has been refreshed and improved in almost every aspect. We got our hands on the X6 xDrive50i courtesy AGMC. Check out the prices and specs over here.

Design

The X6 still carries the highly controversial styling of its predecessor but BMW has improved the design a lot. Now it fits perfectly among its siblings i.e. the X4 and the X5. In fact, one cannot differ much between the X5 and the X6 from the front. The X6 is wider and flatter from the front than before which makes it more aerodynamic. The front kidney grille is more aggressive as compared to older X6. The girth continues through the side as the whole ‘look at me’ image is maintained nicely even with the swoopy roofline which does not result in rear passengers ducking their heads unlike the previous model. Behind the front wheel arches, there are vents which let the air out from the wheels in order to reduce drag. At the rear, the story is same as the previous X6 but better styling. Now the car doesn’t look like an ogre from the back. It is much more refined. Though, I still find the humpback styling a bit odd. But, it sells so who am I to complain!

Interior

The interior of the X6 is like any other high end BMW model. You are surrounded by soft touch leather everywhere. The seats are not buckets and are positioned up thus giving you amazing visibility all over. If you’re still worried about squeezing into tight spots then no need to worry as there are cameras all around to guide you through difficult positions. The infotainment or ‘iDrive’ as it’s popularly known is the best system I have used. Every feature is intuitively located and accessibility is fast. Add to that a beautiful wide screen with crisp visuals and the whole experience becomes sublime.  I would like to give a special mention to the navigation, the maps simply look beautiful. Other than that you have the special SOS feature exclusive with AGMC to assist you in case you need help. But the most appealing feature to me is the built in internet connection via 3G. You don’t need to connect your phone to browse the internet. It is fast and seamlessly integrated with all the internal workings of the car. So if there is any issue with the car, the report will be sent to the BMW HQ and the message will appear on your screen that car needs urgent attention. This is safety and convenience at its best. Kudos BMW!

Drive

After criticizing the looks, when I sat in the car to drive, that’s when my opinion changed and I realized why the X6 is a big hit. It drives like a sports coupe – difference is, you are seated up. Never have I ever driven such a smooth SUV before. It handles and grips perfectly with little body roll at high speeds. Even, in busy areas, it makes cutting through traffic like a breeze. I was never this confident with any other SUV – big or small. And, since I was given the 50i, whenever I needed the oomph, the 4.4 liter twin turbo V8 kicked in to provide seamless power. The updated V8 produces 444 BHP and 650 Nm of torque. This is enough to propel the 2+ ton behemoth from 0-100 in 5.7s – with launch control. Add to that the best 8-speed automatic transmission available in the market and you get one hell of car. Braking on the other hand requires some improvement as the car took time to stop – something I wasn’t expecting. Other than that, you have the different driving modes and each mode changes the character of the car – the drive selector really makes a difference. Bravo! Overall, it is a pleasure to drive the new X6.

Verdict

This is a tough one. The X6 is purely for the people who like to stand out. Currently the market is flooded with the Range Rover Sport which is a brilliant all-rounder. It has better performance, more space, better fuel economy and slightly higher price tag. But it has become a commoner. X6 on the other hand gives you the feeling of driving a sports car. Although, you will have to think twice about stuffing things in the boot as the space is like a car and not like an SUV. But, if you like to cruise around in an executive machine with occasional sporty fun and little off-roading capability then X6 is the way to go.

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