Friday 3rd October 2014

BMW - Paris 2014

A fairly quiet show for the Germans, but a pleasant surprise with the new X6

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The German manufacturers tend not to take the Paris show too seriously, normally holding over their big launches until Frankfurt, Detroit or Geneva. And so it proved this year for most of them; when the only new car on the Porsche stand is a Cayenne S E-Hybrid you know that tinder is being kept dry for somewhere more important.

The X6 goes demure?

But over at BMW, past the 2 Series convertible and it was the new X6 that caught our attention, largely - it must be said - because of what it's lacking. Given the spectacular success of the first generation among an audience that could politely be described as being confident and assertive (and impolitely using words spelled out entirely with punctuation marks) we were expecting BMW to keep with the same formula of size and visual aggression with the new car. It's what made the original sell in more than three times it's original anticipated volumes, after all.

Yet on first impressions the new X6 seems to be positively modest when compared to the coming-past-or-coming-through looks of its predecessor. It's front end seems barely different from the X5 and there seems as much 5 Series GT as old X6 in the side-on profile. Is this an X6 with a touchy-feely side? Surely not what existing customers were expecting.

Owners take note; on sale in December

At least the engine choice keeps up with the sort of thrustiness we've come to associate with the breed. It will launch with two versions of BMW's familiar six-cylinder diesel - a single-turbo 30d with 254hp and a 50d in triple-turbo-nutter spec with 376hp. At the top of the range is a petrol-fired 50i with a V8 and 443hp. 40d and 35i versions will follow to fill in the blanks.

Prices will start from £51,150 - although you'll have to budget more for the wardrobe full of black leather jackets to accompany it - and the X6 goes on sale in the UK in December.

 

 

[edinph]

X6 is still one of the ugliest vehicles I've ever seen. Gross.

[hornetrider]

At least the old X6 looked badass whilst holding up two fingers to the proles getting in the way. That one looks like a lame 5GT.

[jmgdrivesamg]

edinph said:

X6 is still one of the ugliest vehicles I've ever seen. Gross.

+1

That picture of the rear makes me feel positively nauseous

[Nors]

jmgdrivesamg said:

edinph said:

X6 is still one of the ugliest vehicles I've ever seen. Gross.

+1

That picture of the rear makes me feel positively nauseous

+2

About as ugly as it gets for anything on 4 wheels!

[Leins]

hornetrider said:

At least the old X6 looked badass whilst holding up two fingers to the proles getting in the way. That one looks like a lame 5GT.

This. I'm one of the few who quite liked the look of the old one

[MikeGoodwin]

Saw an X6 in Woking yesterday night it was absolutely fking horrible

[Liquid Tuna]

I hated the old X6 when it came out, thinking "what's the point!?", but over time I've changed my mind. It's the pointlessness of them coupled with a big engine and fat tyres, along with the super anti-eco image they have that leaves me wanting one now.

[soad]

Seen so many (older ones) on the road, that I'm no longer bothered by them. Just another fugly vehicle.

[hornetrider]

Liquid Tuna said:

I hated the old X6 when it came out, thinking "what's the point!?", but over time I've changed my mind. It's the pointlessness of them coupled with a big engine and fat tyres, along with the super anti-eco image they have that leaves me wanting one now.

I agree. They are effectively a giant fk you to lentil eaters.

[kambites]

hornetrider said:

...They are effectively a giant fk you to lentil eaters.

Am I the only one who finds this exceedingly childish and rather pathetic?

Not a particular dig at you by the way, it seems a common attitude on Pistonheads.

[daytona365]

It's like a 60 year old woman in a mini skirt.

[Raman Kandola]

Just when you think it cant get worse

[TomEP]

kambites said:

hornetrider said:

...They are effectively a giant fk you to lentil eaters.

Am I the only one who finds this exceedingly childish and rather pathetic?
.

Yes. I thought it was rather amusing. I do like lentils though

[g3org3y]

I saw the TV advert for the new FWD 2 Series 'active tourer' yesterday.

Piece. Of. st.

[E65Ross]

I didn't think it was possible to make the rear of an X6 even uglier.... But somehow they've managed it. Jeez that's absolutely hideous (coming from someone with a Bangled 7 series)

[Timbergiant]

The new x6 looks terrible although in the metal it looks better, the photos don't do it justice at all, still wouldn't have one though, at least they had a decent coloured M4 at Paris though.

[diluculophile]

'a pleasant surprise with the new X6'
That would be ceasing production...

A car that seemingly has no niche, yet people still buy it.

[scherzkeks]

hornetrider said:

I agree. They are effectively a giant fk you to lentil eaters.

Yes, but they just laugh at you.

[E65Ross]

diluculophile said:

'a pleasant surprise with the new X6'
That would be ceasing production...

A car that seemingly has no niche, yet people still buy it.

I never understand comments like this. Whilst I think it's fking hideous, if someone makes it, and plenty of people buy it, then good. They're supplying a demand.

[hornetrider]

scherzkeks said:

Yes, but they just laugh at you.

Why would anyone give a st?