No one really needs an BMW X6. There is no specific need it fulfills unlike an X5 let alone a 3 Series. It is purely a lifestyle vehicle akin to a 6 Series or even a Z4. Yet why is it so much more contentious than either? Clearly the height, weight and the nature of the vehicle make it hard for some traditional BMW enthusiasts to accept. But perhaps it’s most of all the concept and the shape that make it such a hard product to wrap our heads around.
When I first saw photos of the X6 I can certainly say I was one of the non-believers. Not because I didn’t find it interesting or perhaps even more in line with my own needs than an X5. It was more the ideological concept behind it. Why create something based on utility, and then take the utility out of it? But it’s easy to wipe the slate clean of misconceptions when you walk up to the X6 for the first time. There is simply nothing else like it on the road. The presence of the thing is hard to argue with and certainly hard to ignore. And once you allow yourself to think in terms that don’t relate to SUV or sedan or even coupe forms, the X6 starts to stand on its own and make a little more sense.
With all the global changes to BMW Motorsport we contacted our sources at BMW North America to get an official statement on what if any changes we’ll be seeing for 2010. BMW NA has confirmed the status of several Motorsport campaigns:
BMW Motorsport today announced that Formula BMW Americas will bid the international motor racing calendar farewell after the 2009 season finale at Mosport (Canada) on 30 August. Since 2004, over 110 drivers have competed for points and victories in the series. Formula BMW will continue to race in Europe and Asia.
BMW announced on 29 July that the BMW Group will not continue its Formula One campaign after the end of the 2009 season. Resources freed up as a result are to be dedicated to the continued development of new drive technologies and projects in the field of sustainability. BMW will continue to be actively involved in other motorsport series (see below).
In this context, BMW of North America will continue to support US motorsport activities in 2010, similar to its 2009 effort with the BMW M3 GT2 (www.bmwusa.com/motorsport).
BMW Motorrad Motorsport racing is gathering momentum with the launch of the all-new S 1000 RR superbike. The S 1000 RR began Superbike World Championship (www.bmw-motorrad.com/motorsport) competition in 2009 and will contest another season in 2010.
We were relieved to hear that BMW will continue to support it’s GT2 program and the new M3 that is being campaigned by Rahal/Letterman racing. While the loss of F1 is huge to the BMW world, it does take BMW back to its roots in focusing on a production based series racing.
Official Release: From the coming 2010 season BMW will concentrate on running its Formula BMW Europe and Formula BMW Pacific series. Despite challenging economic conditions in 2009, the European Formula BMW series continued to maintain 26-strong grids in its second season. Formula BMW Pacific has also benefited from integration of Formula BMW into the supporting bills of Formula One Grands Prix, as attested to by a steadily increasing number of competitors.
Official Release: On September 15, 2009, IAA Frankfurt Motor Show opens its gates to the press. A first for BMW Group: This year, all three brands are presented under one roof – in Hall 11 which today was officially opened by Frankfurt’s Lord Mayor Petra Roth. Europe’s most state-of-the-art exhibition hall can be reached directly from the new main entrance of the Frankfurt exhibition grounds. The highlight of BMW’s 2009 motor show presentation is a circuit of several hundred meters length that encloses the entire exhibition space and on which the BMW EfficientDynamics fleet and the world premieres will be presented.
Thomas Muderlak, responsible for BMW Group’s presentation at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show: “Participation in motor shows is an important feature in our communication activities directed at customers, the media and trade visitors. We are delighted that the 2009 IAA gives us the opportunity to build on our tradition of innovative motor show presences and this time to present all three brands under one roof – a first. A highlight for our visitors will be to experience our vehicles in motion: For the BMW brand, our presentation will implement the brand’s motto of ‘Sheer Driving Pleasure’ quite literally.”
Tucked away in our report yesterday on BMW’s exit from F1 was some explanation as to what the company will now be focusing on. And within that was a glimpse at what is in store for the Frankfurt Motorshow in September. According to Dr. Klaus Draeger, Member of the Board of Management, BMW will be debuting a concept car that will focus on BMW’s vision an efficient sports car and one that could form the basis of the much rumored Z2. Here’s the full quote from Dr. Draeger:
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important. As a responsible premium manufacturer, we want to address this issue even more extensively than before. What this means for our products is that:
They will be developed and built in line with the principle of sustainability across all development stages. Technological innovations will be accelerated even more, in order to constantly make our vehicles more efficient. You will see a product of sustainable development at the IAA in Frankfurt in a few weeks in the form of a concept car. The BMW EfficientDynamics Vision will demonstrate how efficient a sports car can be. It will also prove that sustainability does not apply to the drive train alone, but to design and materials as well.
As we reported yesterday, in a shocking turn of events BMW has decided to end its involvement in F1 racing at the end of the 2009 season. Instead it will turn its focus on creating consumer products and increase its work in the area of sustainability. Undoubtedly cost was also an issue.
While the team wasn’t in top form this year, they have been quite consistent in year pass and quickly moved up the ranks to become one of F1′s top teams. They will be missed not only here at the BF HQ but all across the world. Here’s the official release:
The BMW Group will not continue its Formula One campaign after the end of the 2009 season. Resources freed up as a result are to be dedicated to the development of new drive technologies and projects in the field of sustainability. BMW will continue to be actively involved in other motor sports series. The landmark decision to restructure BMW Motorsport’s activities was made at the Board of Management’s meeting yesterday.
“Of course, this was a difficult decision for us. But it’s a resolute step in view of our company’s strategic realignment,” explained Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “Premium will increasingly be defined in terms of sustainability and environmental compatibility. This is an area in which we want to remain in the lead. In line with our Strategy Number ONE, we are continually reviewing all projects and initiatives to check them for future viability and sustainability. Our Formula One campaign is thus less a key promoter for us. Mario Theissen has been in charge of our motor sports program since 1999. We have scored a large number of successes in this period, including some in Formula One racing. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mario Theissen and his team for this,” said Reithofer.
Autosport is reporting BMW has called press conference for tomorrow morning concerning ‘current developments in motor sport.’ This has lead to speculation that BMW will end their involvement in F1 at the end of the season. Here’s an excerpt from Autosport:
The press conference will be hosted by Dr. Norbert Reithofer, the chairman of the BMW board, Dr. Klaus Draeger, the director for development, and Mario Theissen, BMW motorsport director. The presence of such senior management figures suggests that the announcement will be very significant.
Officials at BMW refused to comment about what the press conference was about, but they did confirm that it was ‘important’ news.
BMW had hoped to fight for the world championship this year, but instead the F1.09 has fallen short of expectations. Its struggles, allied to the abandonment of its KERS, that BMW had pushed hard for in F1, are likely to have played a part in any decision about the future of the team.
Official Release: The highlight of this year’s one-day event at the Nürburgring for fans and partners of the BMW Sauber F1 Team was the vehicle swap between German Formula One driver Nick Heidfeld and BMW Motorrad Superbike rider Troy Corser of Australia – more than 700 hp on four wheels in exchange for a good 200 hp on two. Over 700 guests came to the Eifel to enjoy an exclusive ride through the gamut of BMW’s racing activities.
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Sections: E71 X6, Review Jul 31st, 2009 8 Comments 
