Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, Crossovers/CUVs, BMW

UPDATE: Added BabelFish-translated press release after jump.
UPDATE 2: Press pics added to the gallery.

Click the image above for over 60 high-res images from the live unveiling.

At the reveal of its X6 Concept, BMW gave the all-too-common explanation that while just a concept, the X6 could be produced. Swap “could be” with “will be” and you’ve got the truth of the matter. The X6 is on a fast track to production and the “concept” you see here is close to final form. Of course, the most talked about feature of the X6 is its raked roof that begins plunging after the B-pillar until it meets the rear deck lid. Compared to other CUVs, rear seat headroom and cargo space is obviously compromised, but BMW is betting that form will be more important than function to an X6 customer.

On hand, BMW showed the standard X6, along with its EffiecientDynamics sibling that gets power from a hybrid drivetrain. BMW assured us that, after seven-years of development, the EfficientDynamics system will be available on every model the automaker makes.

Continue reading Frankfurt 2007: BMW X6 revealed

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, Videos, Crossovers/CUVs, BMW

The build-up to the debut of the BMW X6 is nigh, and in addition to the de-camo’d mule that was spied earlier today, the boys from Bavaria have decided to let Chris Bangle explain the design ethos of the new SAV in front of a cloaked concept.

Mr. Bangle goes into detail over the six-minute flick about what BMW’s aim for the X6 is, who it’s targeting and what kind of capabilities we should expect from this ‘ute in coupe’s clothing. He even says that it might have some off-road prowess. We shall see.

In the meantime, check out the BMW-produced video after the jump and keep tabs on all the unveilings from the IAA in Frankfurt here.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading VIDEO: BMW X6 teaser with Chris Bangle

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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Spy Photos, Crossovers/CUVs, BMW

Now that it’s been confirmed the BMW X6 will make it’s world debut in Frankfurt next week, those tasked with keeping the prototypes under cover have been given the green light to show a little more skin… err, metal. These newest shots don’t leave much to the imagination, giving us a very clear view of both the front and rear of BMW’s SAV.

The front clip has a decidedly sportier appearance than its big brother the X5, with larger air dams, kidney grilles and fog lamp recesses. The sloping roofline out back is as extreme as we expected, and the small spoiler integrates smoothly into the hatch.

Frankfurt is less than a week away, so, as always, watch this space.

[Source: World Car Fans]

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Filed under: Frankfurt Auto Show, Coupes, BMW

Click the image above for a host of live high-res pics of the BMW 1-series.

Of all the vehicles that made their debut at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, one will likely have more impact on North American enthusiasts than any other. The BMW 1-series is outfitted with nearly everything your average motorphile could want: small size, big power, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 50/50 weight distribution — the list goes on and on. That’s why, rather than rattling off a few sentences littered with a handful of jokes and statistics, we wanted to spend a bit more time on the 1-series, much the way you would if you had attended the show.

Continue reading Frankfurt 2007: BMW 1-series in-depth

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, Podcasts, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Crossovers/CUVs, Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Bugatti, Dodge, Ford, GM, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Mercedes Benz, MINI, PSA, Volkswagen, Volvo, Renault, Brabus

We’re back with Autoblog Podcast #77, and it’s a Frankfurt-recap extravaganza. We discuss our favorite picks, as well as touching on some of the numerous highlights from the monster-sized show. We got a glimpse of the Jaguar XF in person, and it’s better in person, but can it save Jaguar? BMW unveiled the X6, it’s own AMC Spirit ripoff, not to be left behind by the Audi Cross Coupe Quattro from Shanghai. We continue on about exotic sheetmetal from Brabus, Schnitzer, Bentley, and Aston Martin, to name a few. On the more mundane tip, the Mazda 6 rocked, the Aveo was ugly, the Journey landed on its face, and could we please, please knock it off with the front quarter panel vents? After Alex’s speed-round wrapup, we discuss a solitary piece of non-Frankfurt news, the Jeep J8. Yes, it’s awesome, no, you can’t buy one. Damn, that’s stupid, Chrysler. Onward!

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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Frankfurt Auto Show, Videos, Crossovers/CUVs, BMW

When the BMW X6 concept was revealed in Frankfurt in September, we had mixed reactions to its oversized hatchback proportions. BMW made no bones about the fact that the sleek CUV was close to its production reality, and after seeing the motion pictures on YouTube, we tend to believe them. Video of the freshly-unveiled X6 in production trim is sitting out there for everyone to see, and from what we can tell, it’s almost a dead-ringer to its Frankfurt forefather. As the scribes over at Carscoop pointed out, the b and c-pillars are now predictably visible, the side view mirrors are now larger, and the tail pipes have been modified. The high-end crossover shown in the video carries XxDrive35d badging, which means an oil-burner sits underhood. On the other hand, the start-up audio in the video sounds decidedly petrol-powered.

It’s difficult to say if an expensive, less practical four-seat crossover from any other automaker would be a hit in the US, but BMW buyers tend to snap up whatever the Bavarian automaker dishes out. We look forward to taking in the X6 in Detroit next month. The complete video is available after the jump.

[Source: Carscoop]

Continue reading VIDEO: Production version of the BMW X6

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