BMW ’s less-than-conventionally-styled X6 received a steady mix of disdain and praise when first launched three years ago, but the German automaker has since sold over 150,000 examples globally.
Now, the Bavarian automaker has revealed a refreshed version of the high-riding “coupe,” complete with all of the latest styling and content currently defining the BMW brand.
At first glance one might not even spot any difference at all, but upon further inspection one should notice a considerable amount of detail-oriented changes from front to back. For example, the front of the X6 now gains a new fascia, complete with a new grille, foglamps and optional adaptive LED headlamps (Xenons come standard).
Better than Xenon?
Xenon was king not along ago, but with the advancement of technology comes a new top dog in the headlight realm: LED. The bright white light that is characteristic of LED headlamps ensure optimum visibility, while their cosmetics serve up a new interpretation of BMW’s hallmark twin circular headlamps. The three-dimensionally shaped luminous rings of the adaptive LED headlights are leveled off both at the top and bottom and are overlaid at the upper edge by an LED-fed accent light. The light sources for low and high beam light are LED units positioned on a horizontal bar at its center, feeding their light into the reflectors in front.
Continuing the LED theme are the taillights, which are newly designed and feature two LED-fed light banks with horizontal alignment – continuing the overall flow of the vehicle’s style.
Let’s talk power
Just as important as luxury appointments and cutting-edge styling are power and performance. Realizing that, BMW has added an available M Performance Package for both the base X6 xDrive35i’s 300 horsepower, 300 lb-ft of torque TwinPower Turbo inline-6 and the X6 xDrive50i’s 400 horsepower, 450 lb-ft 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V8. The result? 315 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque for the inline-6, and a more significant upgrade to 440 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque for the big boy V8. Both models come exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
In addition to sizable power gains comes the addition of standard 20-inch light alloy wheels, black chrome exhaust tips, stainless steel pedals, M foot rest and door sills, shadowline exterior trim, anthracite headliner and optional Carbon Black metallic paint.
Still not enough? For 2013 there will still be a full-blown X6 M on order, complete with the same 555 horsepower from its turbo-fed 4.4-liter V8, mated with a tough six-speed automatic transmission.
The 2013 BMW X6 arrives in US showrooms in the spring of 2012.
