The idea of a coupé SUV does not inspire confidence, but after 1,500km on continental roads Michael McAleer, Motoring Editor, admits that BMW knew what they were doing when they designed the X6
BEFORE YOU launch into a tirade of ridicule, let us save you the bother. Yes, this large piece of motoring metal seemingly makes no sense. SUV buyers have not been crying out for fewer seats, while coupé owners are hardly eager to sit four-foot higher off the ground as they try to hold their line in a corner.
The very principles of driving dynamics for coupés require them to have a low centre of gravity. So the idea of a tall coupé would seem about as useful as the knife and fork combo on a Swiss army knife.
The X6, therefore, seems like something concocted as a drunken dare between BMW's engineers and designers. For example, the coupé DNA stretches into the back seat where instead of an obviously more practical bench seat, BMW has used the rear seat format from its 6-Series coupé range, complete with a large permanent central console that ensures only two people will fit.
In the flesh it looks like a concept car let loose on the public roads. From different angles it is muscular, aggressive, fat and funny. Its roots can be traced back to an early SUV concept of 2001.
At the time no one considered that BMW would build such a thing. There are niches and then there are flights of fancy by car firms flush with success and too much cash. On paper at least, that's what the X6 represents. It's an easy car to snigger at and dismiss.
That starts to change, however, when you see it in the metal. Then its sheer scale and imposing character do force many to reserve their opinion.
The simple truth is this car is not meant to make sense, and it's easy to spot the obvious space limitations from an SUV point of view, or from a dynamic coupé point of view. And yet, from either the passenger seat, the driver's seat or even one of the rear seats, it all comes together as a work of genius.
Contrary to all the initial prejudices and logical beliefs, this car is the complete package in terms of driving dynamics, relative versatility and comfort. In just over a week, we added a cross-continental 1,500km on the clock of our test car, 120 of which were added on the legendary Nurburgring during Sunday's public track day. There'll be more of that next week when we report on the Funball rally.
Suffice to say that the X6 was pipped by fully-fledged coupés and showed its weight, but it didn't embarrass itself in terms of handling or performance and for an SUV, it was phenomenal. Off the track it simply gobbled up the continental roads and with every inch of ground it covered it won us over from ridicule to reverence.
With 315mm of rubber on each rear wheel, the stability and grip is incredible, even in flash downpours.
The rubber footprint gives the car a solid foundation that had us cruising near its limit on the autobahn without the slightest shake or wobble. It's unlike any other SUV we've driven. The nearest, perhaps is the Range Rover Sport, but even this would be pipped by the X6 in terms of handling prowess. Quite simply, its cornering ability, considering its mammoth size, beggars belief.
Match these characteristics with BMW's delightful 3-litre twin-turbo engine and you have a winner.
It's worth referencing this 286bhp block for special commendation. Power is delivered in a wonderfully smooth flow; the engine never whines or grumbles and even in full charge there is no great diesel roar, just a general deep grumble.
A 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds is pretty impressive when you consider the sheer size of the X6, but more importantly, there's an impressive 580Nm of torque on tap in the mid-rev range. That's a great fist full of punch.
If there is a limitation to its ability it's that the six-speed automatic gearbox doesn't always get the best out of the engine and you need to work the semi-automatic box to truly appreciate the power on hand.
Fuel consumption at 8.3 litres per 100km is hardly frugal, but the range is very impressive. We managed to cross Britain from Fishguard to Dover and from Calais halfway through Belgium on the one tank of diesel.
There are, of course, limitations to its ability, largely down to its sheer bulk and shape. It may have virtually no bodyroll compared to any other SUV, but it's still quite a sizeable block of metal to get around corners. Though it defies some of the generalisations: the steering - thanks in part to all that rubber on the road - is incredibly stable and informative, tightening up nicely at higher speeds but light enough to get us into some of Germany's tightest car park spaces.
That, however, was also where our other great bugbear with the X6 came into evidence. This car was clearly designed with Park Assist sensors as standard, for rear visibility out the letterbox rear window is laughable.
Sensors mean that it's easy to find your way but you would have little idea without their help. The other issue is a sizeable blindspot on the passenger side around the B-Pillar.
The enormous wing mirrors should seemingly capture everything, but we managed to lose a Renault Espace and even a Ford Transit in that twilight zone. You get a bit of a shock when you do spot them coming out of nowhere. God only knows what it's like for them to see two-tonne of X6 sidling up towards their front wing.
In the back, the sloping roof doesn't impact as much on headroom as you might expect, due to deeper bucket seats and decent legroom.
Further back, the boot is bigger than you'd ever get in a coupé - with more space in the underfloor stowage well - but the high floor means it's not as practical for loading as many traditional SUV owners would like.
Then again, this was clearly never designed to sate the demands of traditionalists from any school.
Carrying a price tag of €89,679, it's by no means the bargain alternative to the far more practical X5. Start adding some items such as 20-inch alloys at €1,845 and the heads-up display at €1,935 - one of the best investments you will make - and the price soon starts to touch €100,000.
The heads-up display means that speed and the next sat-nav instruction is displayed in the driver's eyeline as if it were floating out in front of the bonnet. It's one of the best safety features we've come across in years, preventing you from taking your eyes off the road ahead.
It would be an automatic choice for us on any options list.
The X6 is certainly a head-turner and a talking point: many of those expressing an interest said they found the current X5 too conservative and that's why they were taken by the futuristic look of this new car.
Its practical limitations are evident to all, however, and that will undoubtedly limit sales. Similarly, outright coupé fans won't find a car that would beat the likes of the 3-Series coupé or 6-Series here.
That means it's still hard to see who exactly is going to buy it. That's not our problem, however. That's for BMW to worry about.
What can be said is that when you leave the logic and amateur market analysis aside, what you have is a car that will always stand out from the crowd, is great fun to drive, while capable of handling long distance mile munching.
Against the odds and our own expectation when we first came across it back at the Detroit Motor Show in January, it has won us over. Simply put, it's the best SUV we've driven.
Factfile
Engine:2,993cc V8 petrol engine putting out 286bhp @ 4,400rpm and 580Nm of torque @ 1,750. Six-speed automatic transmission
Specification:Standard features include 19" alloy wheels, electric windows front and rear, electric door mirrors, heated door mirrors, remote central locking, air conditioning with climate control, multi-info display, leather steering wheel, multi-function controls for steering wheel, ABS brakes, front and side airbags, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control, electronic hand brake, cruise control, smart card/key.
Options:Dynamic Package, €7,185, includes electric seat adjustment, sports seats, Nevada leather upholstery, 20" Spoke alloy wheels €1,845, Media package €3,580 - includes navigation system, bluetooth phone preparation, 6-disc CD autochanger, Active Steering €1,875, Active Drive €4 745, Head up Display €1,935, DAB Digital radio €580, USB interface €425.
L/100km (mpg):urban: 10.5 (26.9); extra-urban: 7.1 (39.7); combined: 8.3 (34)
CO2 emissions:220g/km (band F - 32 per cent)
Tax:annual road tax €1,000
Price:€89,679