Just when we thought BMW’s “Sports Activity Coupe” couldn’t make any less sense, BMW announces official details on the 2010 ActiveHybrid X6, proudly proclaiming it “the most powerful hybrid vehicle in the world.” Um, okay? Seems a bit like striving to be the most foul-mouthed nun in the world—it’s not really the point.

But if we’ve come to expect anything from the weird, off-road, four-door coupe/sports car, it’s that we won’t understand it but we will appreciate it. And, truth be told, there appears to be much to appreciate about the upcoming hybrid X6. It’s powered by the 400-hp, 450-lb-ft twin-turbo V-8 from the (relatively) normal X6 xDrive50i, supplemented with two electric motors: the first makes 91 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque and the second produces 86 hp and 206 lb-ft. If calling it the “ActiveHybrid” seems contrived, consider that, compared to the X6 hybrid’s combined system power of 480 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque, most other hybrids will indeed seem sedentary. In addition to a 20-percent increase in fuel economy in the European cycle, BMW claims a 0–60 time of 5.4 seconds. That’s just one tenth behind the company’s 5.3-second claim for the nonhybrid V-8 X6 (although we’ve clocked that version to 60 in just 5.1 seconds). That the more powerful hybrid is slower is likely due to the significant weight of the hybrid equipment. Top speed is governed at a very environmentally unfriendly 130 mph.

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It’s the moment power-hungry crossover lovers have been waiting for; Munich has officially swiped the covers off its first ever M-prepped “X”models, the X5M and the X6M. Without any doubt, these are the most divisive models ever to wear the M badge. However, BMW vows that both crossovers feature all the typical sport characteristics one would expect from an M-badged model. Under the hood, this translates to an all-new 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that cranks out 555HP at 6,000 rpm and a whopping 680Nm or 501-lbs/ft of peak torque available between 1,500 and 5,650 rpm.

2010 BMW X5M and X6MThose figures put to shame the M5′s and M6′s 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V10 that generates 507HP and 520Nm or 383-lbs/ft of peak torque. But no need to worry as from what our sources tell us, the new twin-scroll turbo V8 will replace the V10 in the next generation M5 and M6 models.
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Falcons are becoming increasingly common in town. Now a particularly imposing variant of the agile predator is conquering the road valleys with its broad wings: the Falcon based on the X6 by AC Schnitzer. It follows the styling features of the X5 version of the same name, already successfully launched. Other identifying marks are the striking wing extensions of PU-RIM, a high quality plastic which is far more flexible and robust than for example GRP laminate or deep-drawn materials such as ABS. The dimensions of the X6 in the attractive lengthways format are 70 mm wider at the front axle and 80 mm wider at the rear. In other respects too the Falcon is perfectly adapted to its habitat. Instead of sweeping through the sky, it swept around the North Loop of the Nürburgring in numerous laps until the chassis developers and Engineering Director Manfred Wollgarten were totally satisfied with the setup of the new AC Schnitzer springs. Now the X6 remains firmly on the ground even at speeds which a normal falcon only achieves in a nosedive. And of course, on every corner. Downforce instead of lift, was the motto in the design of the impressive plumage, styled by Chief Designer Michele Viandante. The aerodynamics package includes a front skirt with diagonal air inlets, and repositioned fog lamps. The submarining protection has been removed in favour of a dynamically contoured spoiler edge. The Falcon rear now wears a solid skirt with edge frame. In contrast to the original, all components are painted in body colour throughout, so that the body appears drawn further down and hence more dominant. Instead of the submarining protection also originally fitted here, AC Schnitzer has opted for a rear diffuser and completed the effect with a new rear spoiler.

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Announcing the launch of the world’s first sports activity coupe is rather like announcing the world’s first six-decker sponge cake – probably quite tasty, but hardly a Jaffa cake moment, and way too tall to enjoy without getting yourself in a right mess.

So you don’t think much of the BMW X6?

I wouldn’t say expectations of the X6 are low – it’s a BMW after all – but it’s genuinely hard to know how to approach a car that offers so little excuse for its existence. Usually you’re looking for a performance against expectation – will it handle as we hope, can it go off road, will the engine amaze, is the cabin the hoped-for revelation? But here the expectations boxes stand empty. So an open mind will have to do.

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