BMW X6 Preview: Pigs Can Fly
With its polarizing oddball looks, premium price tag and questionable need to exist, BMW's new "Sports Activity Coupe" (their PR speak, not ours) isn't for everybody. But with a choice of twin-turbo engines– a 306 hp 3.0-liter I-6 from the 335i or an all new 407 hp 4.4-liter V8– more electronic aids than Stephen Hawking and bigger rubber than a Z06 (315/20s at all four corners), the X6 is going to make some customers very, very happy. Here's the skinny on the Bavarian fat: both the Infiniti FX50 and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo have something to worry about. Despite the X6's bulk (more than 5k lbs of it), this X5-spin off can dance the dance. Grip is endless and there ain't no body roll either. Do I like it? Yeah. Is it perfect? Far from it. Get all the dirt, plus find out which engine's better, on Monday.
Cleanup driver for Team Black Metal V8olvo.
More by Jonny Lieberman
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You all miss the point. BMW already did the heavy lifting by designing the X5, so the parts are there and paid for by the X5. The x6 (S Whatever Vehicle) won't cost much extra. BMW is becoming a dual brand. You get real meat with the 3 series, 5, 6 or 7 cars. M is still an icon. ditto the sportscars, Banglism be darned. The x3 began the fall from grace. Drove like a stiff truck, looked like a 3 sorta, but never acted like one. I always think x3 owners missed the boat tragically...they were in the right dealer, spent lots of money, and missed the target by a small amount. I hated all the X3 loaners they gave me when I had work done on my 330i Sport. The x5, x6 trade off the goodwill the cars create. They don't sell to the enthusiasts. They sell to the guy who buys it "because it's a BMW", not because he has any idea what BMW means, other than "automotive Rolex". The pricing is high, to keep it exclusive at the Middle School pickup circles. To treat is as the same as the cars, or god forbid, the sport oriented BMW offerings, is just confusion.
Well, I'd say speedlaw sums it up pretty much completely. When I had my '01 330Ci, my favourite part of it was how it drove. The part I liked the least was... that Roundel on the front. As en enthusiast, I was enamored by the one-ness of the car with the driver; the proper feedback; the balance; the "black-magic" ride/handling trade-off (or lack thereof). However, I know I was getting the "eye-rolling" judgements from the layperson, as in "oh. He got a BMW. Obnoxious prick." Then I understood that yes, indeed, there are a large chunk of BMW buyers who buy it for the name, the prestige. I was glad when I moved to an Acura TSX, getting 80% of the driving satisfaction of the 330Ci, with no Roundel!
I am not sure which one of my anti-anti-SUV things to bring out next. How about this one: Tell me what you drive? I will point out all the wasted space, capability, and added luxuries. I will note the styling cues that are meant to look like something other than what it is. I will also take great pleasure in taking a stab at characterizing YOU in an ugly way based on YOUR choice. Seriously. It's great to point out the car is ugly, or that it is a bad mix, or whatever. However, when you go on to characterize the driver or buyer you are just pointing out your own insecurities. Less than 5% of us drive a car that is only adequate to our needs, and fits our use of it perfectly. Fewer than that use that way all the time. If you are not driving a ten year old, subcompact hatchback which you got for pennies and spent many weekends of your own labor bringing up to reliable condition then you aren't launching your attacks from firm ground. Before you use the word "poser", you might first make sure you can stroke out a check for said poser mobile. And if you can, then still keep your mouth shut and avoid snobbery.