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BMW's off-beat X6 tweaked

<b>JUST A LITTLE BIT: </b>The changes to the BMW X6 for 2012 are primarily cosmetic.
<b>JUST A LITTLE BIT: </b>The changes to the BMW X6 for 2012 are primarily cosmetic.
BMW’s 6 “Sports Activity Coupe” has undergone a facelift with modifications to its design and the incorporation of new equipment. It’s off-beat design is largely unchanged, though.

The success of the X6 has been a surprise even to BMW. More than 150 000 were sold in the first three years and the automaker hopes to maintain this sales momentum with a spruce-up to take the X6 through second half of its life cycle.

Cosmetic changes include fog lights that now have matte surrounds (and are also placed higher on the nose) and a more prominent three-dimensional kidney grille. While bi-xenon lights are standard, this X6 is reportedly the first in its segment to be fitted with optional adaptive LED headlights (they are standard in the X6 M) and redesigned LED tail lights.

The standard equipment range includes 19” alloy rims and leather trim.

OPTIONS ABOUND


PLUSH CONFINES: Expect more opulence in the X6's cabin.

Four seats are standard, a three-seat rear bench is optional. Luggage space of 570 litres can be extended to 1450 by dropping the rear seatbacks.

Another option is the M Sport Edition package which includes 20” M alloy rims, adaptive LED headlights, black surrounds for the fog lights and M sill strips. Sport seats with power  adjustment, an alcantara and nappa leather interior, leather M steering wheel and other M-inspired features are included in the pack.  

Engine power is supplied by a range of petrol and diesel engines using BMW’s TwinPower Turbo technology and fitted with its eight-speed sports transmission.

The X6 xDrive50i’s V8 delivers 300kW, the straight-six petrol engine in the xDrive35i 225kW.

The six-cylinder turbodiesel engines in the xDrive40d and xDrive30d develop 225kW and 180kW respectively but, along with potent power, these engines are fuel-efficient – BMW quotes 7.5 litres/100km for the 40d and 7.4 litres/100km for the 30d.

POWER OVERLOAD


MORE IS MORE: The optional M Sport Edition package adds equipment familiar to X6 M drivers.

Of course the hot-shot X6 M retains its top spot in the line-up with its 408kW V8 mated to a six-speed M Sport auto transmission.

Dynamic performance control is standard on all versions as an element of the all-wheel drive system xDrive to optimise driving stability, traction and dynamic performance.

An additional X6 model is the newly-announced X6 M50d from BMW’s M Performance Automobile. Its tri-turbo configuration, BMW says, makes this the most powerful standard straight-six diesel engine.

The M Performance range will be launched in South Africa in June, 2012, while the facelifted X6 range will follow in July.
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