Meet the All New and Lighter BMW X6
by 
The X6 has long served as a lightening rod for critics of the BMW brand. All the weight and excess without the functionality has been one of the refrains we’ve heard for years. Yet the X6 has sold beyond expectations in markets like the US, Russia and China since it’s release in 2007. The 2nd generation (the F16) takes all the core attributes of the previous X6 (sleek coupe-like profile with higher trim levels) and marries it to the new X5 platform.
The results looks interesting and in some ways remind us more of the original X Coupe concept than anything BMW has ever put into production. That said this new X6 is both visually taller (especially the belt-line) and more aggressive than before. The downside of this is a car that needs larger wheels to overcome some of the visual mass.
Key Stats
Still it’s an impressive looking car with an equally impressive stat of being 35-55 LBS lighter than it’s predecessor. While drag coefficient is down slightly at .34 Cd, it’s surprisingly off the class leading X5 which has a impressive .31 Cd.
The X6 will comes with only two BMW Lines at launch:
xLine
• Optical underbody protection elements in stainless steel for the front and rear apron
• Illuminated door sills and footplates in aluminum
• Kidney grille bars with a distinctive geometry
• Bespoke inserts and bars for the air intakes
• Distinctive trim for the Air Breathers on the fenders, the trim strip on the trailing edge of the tailgate, and the exterior mirror caps
• Exterior mirror bases and B- and C-pillar trim in high-gloss black, plus aluminum surrounds in Cerium Grey for the side windows and exterior mirror caps
• Exclusive 20-inch light-alloy wheels in V-spoke design and bi-color finish with mixed-size tires
• Interior Design Packages
M Sport
• Aerodynamically optimized body elements with large air intakes at the front
• Contoured side skirts diffuser
• Insert for the rear apron
• Bespoke BMW kidney grille design with bars in matte aluminum
• High-gloss chrome exhaust tailpipe embellishers in the trapezoidal geometry (standard on xDrive50i)
• Lower borders of the wheel arches along with the side skirts are painted in body color
• BMW Individual High-gloss Shadow Line trim
• 19-inch or optional 20 inch M light-alloy wheels
• Aluminum door sill strips bearing the M logo
• Anthracite-colored BMW Individual roof liner
• Electrically adjustable sports seats for the driver and front passenger
• Interior trim in Aluminum Hexagon
• M leather steering wheel and an M driver’s footrest
• Specially designed car key fob
• Optional Adaptive M suspension
Look for the X6 to hit showrooms in late summer in Europe and early fall for North America.
