Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, Coupes, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, BMW

Click the image above for a 60-shot high-res gallery

The BMW X6 production concept CUV blends the looks and driving dynamics that aficionados expect with the high seating position and extra cargo space of a crossover. The X6 appears to be more of a fashion statement than it is a fully functioning “Sport Activity Vehicle,” as that steeply raked butt dooesn’t look like it can hold too many golf bags inside.

One look at the X6 reveal comments shows how polarizing the big utility “coupe” is, but the video of the X6 after the jump makes the concept look like a world-beater. Chris Bangle and his design team give us a peek at the new sports crossover, as well as the thinking behind BMW’s next big idea. Take a look after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Chris Bangle talks BMW X6

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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: Concept Cars, Etc., Euro, Crossovers/CUVs, BMW

BMW appears to be angling to become a truckmaker. Okay, crossovers, not trucks. Whatever you want to call the tall, heavy wagons, that’s your business. Within the next five years, BMW’s planning on adding three new truck-type things to their lineup. The X6 will arrive next year, followed by the 4×4 version of the MINI in 2009, and the also-small X1 in 2010. The MINI 4×4 will run a Getrag-developed AWD system, and we’d expect the X1 to use the basic component set of the forthcoming 1-series. The Concept CS is also headed for production, and it will be positioned above the 7-series sedan carrying 8 and 12 cylinder powerplants. Imagine that, instead of the 7-series heading up the Ultimate Driving Machine lineup, there’d be a long-hooded GT-looker with a fastback roofline. Even the news that BMW is following the money into SUVs and committing bigtime with multiple new models, it could be worse. The X5 is handsome, and that general motif is present on the X6, and we’d expect it to scale down to the X1 decently, leaving only the hideous X3 as a pimple on the face of BMW’s SAVs.

[Source: Autocar]

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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUVs, Crossovers/CUVs, BMW

click above image to see high-res gallery of the BMW X6

var digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/autos/BMW_X6_unveiled_400_hp_twin_turbo_V8_to_be_offered’; BMW’s big Detroit debut will be the production X6 Sports Activity Coupe (unsurprisingly, BMW avoids the somewhat unbecoming “SAC” acronym), which will be arriving in US showrooms sometime during the second quarter of 2008. When it does, buyers get two flavors to choose from. The xDrive50i is powered by a twin-turbo direct-injected 4.4L V8 pumping out 400-horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. The xDrive35i, meanwhile, gets the automaker’s acclaimed 300-hp TT inline six-cylinder. Dynamic Performance Control is a standard feature that can direct torque to either rear wheel, further aiding steering in both dry weather and sloppier conditions. Design-wise, the production X6 looks pretty much just like the hybrid-equipped concept version we saw earlier this year. Basically, it’s a larger “X” model with a coupe roofline. Not bad, as SUVs go, but the sloping roof obviously forces owners to compromise some space in the name of style. Still, the driver and three friends can stow their golf clubs in back while riding in comfort. Interior appointments are typical BMW fare, meaning they’re quite nice. If you’ve been in a modern Bimmer, you know precisely what to expect. The X6 is no slug, either, with a manufacturer-claimed 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds for the turbo V8 model. We’ll have plenty more to say after we check it out firsthand in a few weeks.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL: BMW X6 to debut at Detroit

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Filed under: Sports/GTs, SUVs, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossovers/CUVs, BMW

Despite slashing some 8,000 jobs worldwide, BMW plans to hire more workers to man its Spartanburg, S.C. production center, while simultaneously upping the night shift from eight hours to ten. The South Carolina plant currently produces the X5 and Z4, but with production of the X6 CUV beginning a few weeks back, BMW is looking to staff an additional 200 jobs to keep the assembly plant on boil. Although Z4 production is going to Regensburg, Germany in 2009, BMW plans to begin building the X3, which is overdue for a refresh, at the plant around the same time. Those of you looking for jobs in the Spartanburg area can apply through MAU Inc., BMW’s U.S. staffing firm, and should expect to bring in $12.50 an hour during the day shift and additional buck if you’re willing to toil away in the wee hours of the night.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUVs, Tech, Crossovers/CUVs, BMW

click above to view more high-res images of the BMW X6

Dropping the “concept” descriptor that it carried in Frankfurt, the BMW X6 was just revealed at the Detroit Auto Show in full production trim. Not surprisingly, it’s almost identical to what we saw in Frankfurt, with a sharply-raked backlight and hatchback replacing the squared-off rump of the X5. BMW likes to describe it as a blend between a coupe and a crossover, which leads us to ask - is it possible to crossover from something that’s already a crossover? Does this mean that it’s been double-crossed? The mind boggles.

Follow the jump for our first impression…

Continue reading Detroit 2008: BMW unwraps the production X6

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, BMW, Cadillac, Chrysler

click above to view more high-res live shots of the Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept

One bit of news we passed over on the way out the door of COBO Hall on Tuesday was the winners of this year’s EyesOn Design Awards at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. There are four awards given away each year, including Best Concept and Production Car and Best Concept and Production Truck. Cadillac sweeped the car side of things with the CTS-V being honored as Best Production Car and the CTS Coupe Concept named as the Best Concept Car. The BMW X6, meanwhile, was named Best Production Truck and the Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept nabbed the Best Concept Truck award.

The EyesOn Design awards are sponsored by the Detroit Institute of Opthamology and judged by a panel of automotive designers including ex-VP of Design for GM Wayne Cherry, Chrysler’s Senior VP of Design Trevor Creed, the renowned Henrik Fisker, GM’s VP of Global Design Ed Welburn and Mazda’s Franz von Holzhausen.

More after the jump.

[Source: The Detroit Free Press]

Continue reading Detroit 2008: EyesOn Design Awards favor Cadillac

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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, SUVs, Tech, Crossovers/CUVs, BMW

BMW’s twin-turbo 3.0L inline-six has been a rousing success, with nothing less than a Wards 10 Best Engines award sitting in its trophy case. The praise is understandable and well-deserved, as the engine uses a combination of forced induction and direct injection to serve up a torque curve that’s far beefier and flatter than what should be expected from a engine of its size. So what next for the propeller brand? Simple — take similar technology, add it to the company’s 4.4L V8 and toss in a dash of unconventional packaging to make everything fit.

BMW put its latest jewel on display at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, and we snapped some shots of it to give you an idea of why this engine is so special. We’ve included those photos in one of our galleries, and below the fold, we’ve thrown in a few observations.

Continue reading Detroit 2008: BMW’s twin-turbo 4.4L V8

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