The Big Car Database

Bmw X6 E71 2007-present

BMW X6
BMW X6 front 20081002.jpg
2008 BMW X6
Overview
Manufacturer BMW
Production 2007-present
Model years 2009–present
Body and chassis
Body style Mid-size luxury crossover SUV
Layout Front engine, four-wheel drive

The BMW X6 is a mid-size luxury crossover by German automaker BMW.

The first generation (E71) was released for sale in April 2008 for the 2009 model year The X6 was marketed as a Sports Activity Coupé (SAC) by BMW. It combines the attributes of an SUV (high ground clearance, all-wheel drive and all-weather ability, large wheels and tires) with the stance of a coupé (styling featuring a sloping roof). It was based on the previous generation BMW 5 and 6-series. E71 development began in 2003 under Peter Tuennermann, after start of E70 X5 development in 2001. Design work by E70 X5 designer Pierre Leclercq was frozen in 2005, with test mules being run from the summer of 2005 and prototypes being tested from late 2006. Production began on December 3, 2007.

The second generation X6 (F16) was launched at the Paris Motor Show in 2014.

BMW Concept X6 (2007)

The concept model debuted at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show and the production X6 officially debuted at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and Montreal International Auto Show. While slightly longer and wider than the X5, it is significantly lower and seated initially only four, and since 2011, optionally five.

It is built in BMW's North American plant in Greer, South Carolina alongside the BMW X5, whose platform it shares. It is dubbed a "Sports Activity Coupé (SAC)" by BMW. A hybrid version, the BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid, which is the first such vehicle from BMW, was also announced. In April 2009, the X6 M version was announced, with a 547 hp (408 kW) 4.4-liter turbocharged V8.

First generation (E71; 2008–2014)

BMW X6 (E71)
2008-2010 BMW X6 (E71) xDrive35d wagon (2011-11-04).jpg
Overview
Manufacturer BMW
Production December 3, 2007 – present
Model years 2009–present
Assembly Greer, South Carolina, United States (BMW US Mfg. Comp.)
Kaliningrad, Russia (Avtotor)
Designer Pierre Leclercq (2005)
Body and chassis
Body style Mid-size luxury crossover SUV
Layout Front engine, four-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine
  • 3.0 L I6 (turbo petrol)
  • 3.0 L I6 (turbo diesel)
  • 4.4  L V8 (turbo petrol)
Transmission 6-speed automatic; 8-speed automatic (ActiveHybrid X6)
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,933 mm (115.5 in)
Length 2008–2009: 4,877 mm (192.0 in)
2010–present: 192.1 in (4,879 mm)
Width 2008–2009: 1,979 mm (77.9 in)
M/AH: 1,983 mm (78.1 in)
2010–present: 78.1 in (1,984 mm)
Height 2008–2009: 1,696 mm (66.8 in)
M: 1,684 mm (66.3 in)
AH: 1,697 mm (66.8 in)
2010–present: 66.5 in (1,689 mm)

Chassis technology

 
BMW X6 xDrive35d (Australia)

The X6 marks BMW's first use of its new Dynamic Performance Control system, which works in unison with xDrive all-wheel drive, both being standard on the X6. DPC is a drivetrain and chassis control system that works to regulate traction and especially correct over- and understeer by actively spreading out drive forces across the rear axle. Torque is distributed not only between the front and rear wheels (xDrive) but also from side to side at the rear, for improved agility and added stability (through the DPC rear axle). This lateral distribution of torque is commonly known as torque vectoring.

The DPC differential features clutch packs on both output sides that are actuated by an electric motor. The clutch pack activates a planetary gearset which causes one wheel to be overdriven. A conventional control system will use the brakes to reduce the speed of the faster moving wheel (which is the one with less traction)and reduce engine power. This leads to increased brake wear and slower than optimal progress. The DPC system speeds up the slower moving wheel (the one with the most traction) in order to maintain stability when needed. For example; while turning, the outer wheel is overdriven to provide greater acceleration using the traction advantage through the dynamic loading of the outboard wheel in cornering. In an oversteer situation, the inner wheel is overdriven to regain traction balance.

BMW X6 M (2009–2014)

The BMW X6 M and X5 M are the first vehicles from BMW M GmbH to have xDrive all-wheel-drive system and automatic transmissions, and are also crossovers as opposed to passenger cars. The X6 M was unveiled at the 2009 New York Auto Show and first went on sale in the 2010 model year.

BMW X6 M

The high-performance M derivative features a twin scroll twin turbo version of the 4.4-liter V8 BMW N63 engine with the Cylinder-bank Comprehensive Manifold (CCM). The engine is rated 555 PS (408 kW; 547 hp) at 6000 rpm and 680 N·m (500 lb·ft) at 1500–5650 rpm.

Other features include 6-speed M Sports automatic transmission with aluminum pull-style paddles on steering wheel, M Dynamic Mode feature, 10 mm (0.4 in) lower Adaptive Drive suspension, 4-piston fixed calipers with 15.6" rotor at front and single piston floating calipers with 15.2" rotor at rear, 20-inch alloy wheels with 275/40R20 front and 315/35R20 run flat tires, hill descent control, dynamic stability control, special gills in the front fenders, 20-inch light-alloy wheels.

The car can accelerate from zero to 60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 4.5 seconds and 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) in 4.7 seconds.

ActiveHybrid X6 (E72; 2009–2010)

 
BMW X6 ActiveHybrid
 
BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid

The BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid is the concept vehicle of BMWs first full-hybrid vehicle and was revealed at the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung Frankfurt in September 2007. BMWs first mild-hybrid BMW Concept 7 Series ActiveHybrid Generation 1 was revealed at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008. Both cars made their market debuts at the end of 2009 and the X6 Hybrid can drive in pure electrical mode at low speeds. The Active Hybrid 7 Generation 1 does not have this ability.

The BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid uses the V8 Twin Turbo with High Precision Injection that powers the BMW X6 xDrive50i.

A defining feature of the BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid is its Two-Mode active transmission, an innovative technology that controls the interplay of the electrical motors and the internal combustion engine. The car can operate in two modes: mode 1 delivers high torque when pulling away from a standing start and at low speeds, while mode 2 is suited for higher speeds. The result is that the car always uses the available power resources in the most efficient possible way, whatever speed it is travelling at.

The ActiveHybrid X6 made its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in September 2009.

In late 2009, BMW introduced an X6 featuring a version of the Global Hybrid Cooperation hybrid vehicle drivetrain, popularly known as the two-mode hybrid system. This car was confirmed as being called the BMW ActiveHybrid X6, and it is the world's most powerful hybrid vehicle; it is not sold in the UK. The production vehicle was unveiled alongside a 7 Series hybrid at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The ActiveHybrid X6 went on sale in December 2009 in the US market with a base price of US$89,765.

The drive system featured in the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 consists of a 300 kW (407 hp) V8 power unit with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology and two electric engines developing 67 kW (91 hp) and, respectively, 63 kW (86 hp). Maximum system output is 357 kW (485 hp), peak torque is 780 Newton-meters (575 lb-ft.)

BMW ActiveHybrid technology offers the driver three significant options: to drive under electric power alone, to use the power of the combustion engine, or to benefit from the combination of both drive modes for short periods of maximum acceleration, using the 485 hp maximum. Driving completely free of CO2 in the electric mode is possible up to a speed of 37 mph (60 km/h). The hybrid also employs stop-start technology and other energy saving measures to help improve efficiency. The core-vehicle is however very heavy and the petrol power unit limits the extent to which fuel consumption can be reduced in absolute terms. The Turbo-Diesel models in the X6 range use less fuel, for example.

Engines

Petrol engines

The base model is the X6 xDrive35i which is powered by the 225 kW version of the N54 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six gasoline engine. The top-of-the-line model is the xDrive50i which uses the N63 V8 engine, producing 300 kW. R

Model Engine code Power Torque@rpm
xDrive35i (N54) N54B30 225 kW (306 PS; 302 hp)@5800–6250 400 N·m (300 lb·ft)@1300–5000
xDrive35i (N55) N55B30 225 kW (306 PS; 302 hp)@5800 400 N·m (300 lb·ft)@1200–5000
xDrive50i N63B44 300 kW (408 PS; 402 hp)@5500–6400 600 N·m (440 lb·ft)@1750–4500
X6 M S63B44 408 kW (555 PS; 547 hp)@6000 680 N·m (502 lb·ft)@1500–5650
ActiveHybrid X6
  • N63B44 petrol
  • electric motor
357 kW (485 PS; 479 hp) (combined) 780 Nm (combined)

Diesel engines

At launch, the X6 was available in many markets with two diesel variants: the xDrive30d and xDrive 35d, respectively. They are powered by BMW's 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine (in its sequential twin-turbocharged variant for the xDrive35d), and produces 235 PS (173 kW) in the xDrive30d and 286 PS (210 kW) in the xDrive 35d version. The second of these power units formed the basis of BMW's diesel launch in all 50 states in late 2008.

By 2010, a new 40d was added to the range, replacing the 35d, and in 2012 a new high-performance M50d was added, but despite its nomenclature, is still powered by a 3.0-litre engine.

Model Engine code Power Torque@rpm
xDrive30d (M57) M57D30TÜ2 173 kW (235 PS; 232 hp)@4000 520 N·m (384 lb·ft)@2000–2750
xDrive30d (N57) N57D30OL 180 kW (245 PS; 241 hp)@4000 540 N·m (398 lb·ft)@1750–3000
xDrive35d M57D30TÜ2 210 kW (286 PS; 282 hp)@4400 580 N·m (428 lb·ft)@1750–2250
xDrive40d N57D30TOP 225 kW (306 PS; 302 hp)@4400 600 N·m (443 lb·ft)@1500
M50d N57S 280 kW (381 PS; 375 hp)@4000–4400 740 N·m (546 lb·ft)@2000–3000