Good
Cheaper as compared to Porsche Cayenne Turbo; otherworldly acceleration, stout brakes, handles better than other crossovers.
Bad
Feels unwieldy on tight road; only four-passenger seating capacity; limited cargo space.
Introduction
2012 BMW X6 M expands on X6 Sports Activity Coupe model lineup, introducing legendary BMW M power to unique four-passenger, four-door car, which fuses coupelike style and agility with versatility of sport utility vehicle. It blurs the line between sport utility vehicle and car and for this reason it is called crossover. The X6 M is a four-passenger, high riding car and four-door coupe, a combination of sports utility vehicle and sportscar. The power of M meets four-wheel drive capabilities of BMW Sports Activity Coupe in this legendary car. Its optional head up screen helps keep driver’s eyes forward by projecting warning signals on windshield, and enhances both driver safety and comfort to passengers as well as driver. The electronic climate zone controls lets the driver to select lower air temperature for chest and head than in footwell. The optional onboard navigation system controlled through iDrive uses digital map, GPS satellites and real time traffic information.
The BMW X6 M is the first xDrive four-wheel drive vehicle from M GmbH, which was introduced in the year 2009 at the New York Motor Show. The performance oriented M derivative comes with dual scroll twin turbocharged version of 4.4 liter massive V8 N63 BMW engine with Cylinder band Comprehensive Manifold. Other equipments include M Sports six-speed automatic transmission with aluminium pull style paddle shifters on steering column, M Dynamic Mode, lower Adaptive Drive Suspension, 20 inch light alloy wheels, single piston caliper with 15.2 inch at rear and four-piston fixed calipers with 15.6 inch rotor at front. Situated in a glovebox, the easily accessible six-CD changer of 2012 BMW X6 M accommodates six discs with single feed, plays compressed audio formats and supports multi channel sources. It also provides high fidelity immersive 10-speaker surround sound system with six-disc multimedia changer, seven-channel amplifier and 205 watts of power. Skip tracks, adjust volume, access up to 5 playlists and store music on 12GB hard drive through controls on steering column or iDrive controller.
The 2012 BMW X6 M is a like a bulky beast, which somehow performs like sleeker, lighter thoroughbred. Sadly, as crossover sport utility vehicles go, the X6 M also provides about similar cargo capacity and passenger space as bull. This 5300-pound sport utility vehicle offers comfortable seating capacity for four passengers, but offers less cargo space as compared to Honda CR-V. It offers such responsive handling that you will never give a thought to its weight. There are plenty of other models in the market that offer handful of options and similar – Porsche Cayenne Turbo.
Trim Levels, Body Styles and Optional Features
The 2012 BMW X6 M is a crossover sport utility vehicle that offers four-passenger seating capacity and is available in one single trim level. Standard equipments and features include 16-speaker surround sound stereo system with iPod/USB adapter, CD player and high definition radio, 20 inch alloy wheels, iDrive electronics interface of BMW, sport tuned self levelling suspension, navigation system with voice controls and real time traffic, Adaptive Drive including active roll stabilization and electronic damping control, BMW Assist emergency telematics, hill descent control, Bluetooth, adaptive xenon headlamps with washers and auto levelling, power telescoping and tilt steering column, auto dimming mirrors, 10-way heated power front seats with driver memory settings and four-way lumbar, automatic wipers, rear and front parking sensors, power tailgate and sunroof.
Many of the features and equipments of 2012 BMW X6 M are combined in various packages such as Driver Assistance package that adds topview camera, rearview camera, automatic high beams, head-up display and sideview cameras. The Cold Weather package comes with heated rear seats, rear seat pass-through ski bag and heated steering wheel, while the Active Ventilated Seat package consists of 14-way ventilated power front seats with active and adjustable side bolsters. The Premium Sound package is equipped with satellite radio and enhanced surround sound stereo system, while the Rear Climate package gets manual rear side window shades and quad-zone climate control.
Other options on 2012 BMW X6 M include soft close automatic doors, keyless ignition/entry, rearseat entertainment system, cross-traffic sideview camera, three-passenger rear seat, extensive leather upholstery and six-DVD changer.
Engines and their Performance
Motivation for the 2012 BMW X6 M comes from a twin turbocharged 4.4 liter burly V8 engine, which is good for producing 501 pound feet of torque and 555 horsepower. The engine is mated with six-speed automatic transmission with manual paddle shifters and a four-wheel drive system that sends power to all the four wheels. In performance testing, it accelerated from 0 to 60 miles per hour in the time range of 4.3 seconds, which is quite fast for a 5300-pound SUV in its class. It can provide up to 6600 pounds of towing capacity. The estimated fuel economy for X6 M is 17 mpg highway, 12 mpg city and 14 mpg in combined driving.
Safety Features
Standard safety features on 2012 BMW X6 M include antilock braking system with brake assist technology, whiplash reducing front head restraints, stability control, side curtain airbags and side impact front seat airbags. In brake testing, the X6 M came to a stop in 107 feet from 60 miles per hour, which is exceptionally short.
Special Features and Cabin Design
Like standard X6 model, the 2012 BMW X6 M provides comfortable seating capacity for four passengers with maximum trunk space of 60 cubic feet, which is smaller as compared to other crossover sport utility vehicles in the market. Give the rearseat passengers more to watch than passing scenery. It offers rearseat entertainment system with optional wireless headphones and vibration resistant screen allowing you and front seat passengers to simultaneously enjoy your own music. The iDrive interface is now in its 4th generation and is controlled through round aluminium knob on center console. With this generation, the system has Option, Menu, Back, CD, Nav, Radio and Tel buttons surrounding control knob. The iDrive controls navigation, entertainment, communication and climate functions.
Driving Impressions
Like its standard X6 model, the 2012 BMW X6 M is equipped with standard xDrive four-wheel drive system, which varies power between rear and front axles electronically. It is the first BMW vehicle to be equipped with Dynamic Performance Control that uses two planetary gear seats and dual clutch packs in rear differential for multiplying torque to individual rear wheels. The BMW Approved Cold Weather Tires have been especially formulated for combating reduction in traction, which takes place when temperatures go under 45°F. The optimized balance between chemistry and physics offers excellent grip, which is required to keep the X6 M performing like Ultimate Driving Machine in virtually all weather on all adverse road conditions. Overall, the X6 M may not be the classic performance machine, but is undoubtedly a riot.
