Review: Universal Audio Apollo x6. Unison plug-ins are applied in the UA Console application, which is the main mixer and control panel for the x6. The Console’s features have been well planned and executed and are similar to what you’d expect to find on a professional hardware mixer, with individual strips for each I/O channel, two.
It will carry on to the next life with the X5’s good looks
by , onWith the BMW X5 finally making its debut, it’s time to start thinking about the next-generation of the X6, a model that is essentially the X5 but with that coupe-style roof. With the current X6 being on the market for just three years, we probably won’t see the new X6 until at least 2020, but you can bet BMW is already hard at work. And, thanks to these new renderings that fuse the X6’s coupe-like styling with the look of the new X5, we have a strong visual representation of what we can expect.
Update 5/6/2019: We finally get a look at the 2020 BMW X6’s interior and see it testing on the Nurburgring. Check out the new photos in our spy shots section below!
Read More:
- 2019
- Make:
- Price:Luxury
car segment:
luxury cars
size:
Mid-Size
Purpose:
Family Cars
body style:
Spy Shots
May 6, 2019 - BMW X6 caught testing at Nurburgring
The 2020 BMW X6 has been caught testing yet again and this time we get a look at the interior. Of course, there’s nothing groundbreaking to write home about, but at the very least, we can say that the updated X6 will take cues from the X4 and X5. Expect to see it make it’s debut by the end of 2019 as a 2020 model.
06/29/2018 – BMW X6 First Time Testing on Road
These spy shots tell a story that we’ve already heard before. The BMW X6 will, clearly, take cues from the smaller X4 and the brand-new X5. In front, you can see the larger kidney grilles from the X5 to go with the sleeker laser headlights. Meanwhile, the fascia looks borrowed from the X4 and may change a bit before production time comes our way. As expected, the side profile features the rather subdued body lines between the wheel arches and below the slated belt line, just like we see on the X4.
Moving to the rear, there’s a lot of Mercedes DNA… oops, I mean X4 DNA going on here. Ok, so at this point, everyone knows BMW borrowed a lot from Mercedes design style in creating the X4 rear end, and all of that is going to translate to the X6 as well. Of course, the taillights will be sleeker and feature a different battery, but you’ll recognize a very familiar fascia and rear hatch – it’s just a slightly bigger version of the X4 or a slightly smaller version of the X5 with a sloping roof in there rear. However you call it, you get the same result so call it whatever makes you feel best.
Based on the same platform as the X5, the X6 will feature the same engines as well. That means there will two choices for gasoline and two choices for diesel. The entry-level gas engine will be an inline-six with 340 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque on tap. The range-topping gas model will come with a V-8 in tow that delivers 462 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. On the diesel front, you can expect the 30d trim to come with 265 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque. The 50d, range-topping diesel, delivers 400 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque. Following suit with the X5, all four engine choices will come mated, exclusively, to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
2020 BMW X6 Exterior
- New X5 styling
- Should be longer and wider
- Will have more aggressive roof slant
- May have redesigned rear hatch or rear fascia
These renderings depict the same general body lines found on the X5, making the next-gen X6 appear identical below the waist
The BMW X5 has a lot going for it. It is the evolution of BMW’s design language through and through and even wears the largest BMW kidney grille to date. That grille is also a one-piece unit that obviously put engineers to the test when it came to updating the design without sacrificing the iconic look. As such, the new X6 will get that same look. It will also feature the same headlights with half hexagonal LEDs, the big (and fake) corner intakes, and the revised air dam that gives it a sportier and more luxurious look.
These renderings depict the same general body lines found on the X5, making the next-gen X6 appear identical below the waist. But, take that with a grain of salt as BMW my changing things up just a little bit. What will really set it apart is the coupe-style roof, which will carry a slightly more aggressive slant due to the longer and wider body. The rear glass will also be a bit larger for that very same reason.
The rear end is where things get a little funky, though as the same hatch from the X5 can’t carry over. If BMW goes with the same exact styling as seen here, the rear hatch will look very weird with a 90-degree bend at the waistline. Expect to see BMW compensate here by making the lower portion of the hatch shorter. This could leave room for a different rear fascia that is taller and maybe even more aggressive.
The other thing that remains questionable is whether or not the X6 will get a rise in ride height as the X5 did. It’s designed as a high-sitting coupe, but the extra ride height could make it even more awkward than it already is. With the slightly lower roofline, and maybe even a slight drop in suspension the next-gen X6 could actually look pretty sporty. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.
2020 BMW X6 Interior
- standard digital instrument cluster
- possibly reduced cargo room
- could have useless tech from x5
- May get updated panoramic roof
It’s more than likely that the BMW will carry over about 95-percent of the X5’s interior unaltered
It’s more than likely that the BMW will carry over about 95-percent of the X5’s interior unaltered. So, it’ll get the same revised, smooth dash with trim that stands out and the digital instrument cluster as standard. The center console will probably carry over its one-piece design as well. Where things will change is behind the front seats. The same or similar door trim panels will be in place but, because of that sloping roofline, headspace back here will be reduced a bit. There’s also no third row of seats.
The thing is, however, that the design of the new X5 brought about a difference in cargo room in the rear, with a significant decrease according to the initially released press information. This occurred because of the lower roof and the addition of some new tech in the rear, so it’s quite possible that the X6 could also see a significant drop in space as well. Maybe not so much but it’s still possible.
2020 BMW X6 Drivetrain
- Should see decent power upgrades
- Could gett off-road package
- Slightly faster to 60 mph
- Revised AWD system
Power output should mirror that of the X5 too, with the 40i delivering 340 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque
Expect the X6 to drop the 35i trim and carry on its next run at life with the 40i being the entry-level model. Power output should mirror that of the X5 too, with the 40i delivering 340 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. The 50i name will carry over but will deliver a slight increase in power as well, bring total output up to 462 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The 40i will use the usual inline-six configuration and will be paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 50i gets the same transmission but is, of course, a V-8.
There will also be two diesel engines available, however, these weren’t available in the U.S. with the current-gen model so they too may be limited to other markets this time around. I’m talking about the 30d trim with a diesel-drinking inline-six that’s good for 265 horsepower and the V-8 50d with 400 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque. Don’t hold your breath on these to cross the pond but if you live anywhere in Europe, they should be a prime offering.
As far as towing goes, the X6 has traditionally offered the same capacity as the X5, so you can expect to haul as much as 2,700 kg or about 6,000 pounds. Because of the X6’s sleeker design and the new active grille system, the X6 may end up being a little more fuel efficient this time around though, so it will definitely have that going for it. Expect total payload numbers to carry over unchanged, which should be fine given the limited space in the boot.
BMW X5 xDrive40i | BMW X5 xDrive50i | |
---|---|---|
Engine | 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder | 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V-8 |
Displacement | 2,998 cc | 4,395 cc |
Horsepower | 335 HP @ 5,500–6,500 RPM | 456 HP @ 5,250-6,000 RPM |
Torque | 330 LB-FT @ 1,500–5,200 RPM | 479 LB-FT @ 1,500–4,750 RPM |
Transmission | 8-speed STEPTRONIC Automatic | 8-speed STEPTRONIC Automatic |
0 to 60 mph | 5.3 seconds | 4.6 seconds |
Top Speed | 130 mph | 130 mph |
2020 BMW X6 Pricing
Because of the inclusion of new technology, like that standard digital instrument cluster, you can expect the X6 to increase in price a bit by the time it finally debuts. We’re talking about a couple of years from the debut of the new X5 so things could change even more. That said, the current model starts out at $62,950 and goes all the way up to $77,700 (the X6M runs at more than $105,00, so we’ll leave that for another conversation.) Expect to see prices jump by as much as $1,000 across the board.
2020 BMW X6 Competition
Mercedes GLE Coupe
BMW may have been responsible for creating the weird, SUV-coupe segment but Mercedes was the very next to follow up, and it did so with the GLE Coupe. Essentially the same size and offering the same functionality as the X6, it’s a prime competitor and will likely go through a generational shift about the same time that the new X6 debuts. As of the time of this writing, it’s offered in AMG form only, with the GLE43 being the entry-level model and the GLE 63S being the rang-topping model. The 43 comes with 384 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque while the 63S offers up 577 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque. Both are more expensive than Bimmer’s offering, though, with the entry price being $70,500 and the 63S starting at $111,880.
Read our full review on the 2018 Mercedes GLE Coupe
Porsche Cayenne Coupe
We’ve been waiting a long time for the Cayenne Coupe, and up until the middle of 2018 it had yet to be confirmed. But, with spy shots surfacing all over the place, Porsche finally confirmed its existence. It should be on the market by the time the next-gen X6 comes to life and will likely mirror the same drivetrain options offered by the standard Cayenne. That means it should offer anywhere between 340 horsepower and somewhere around 580 ponies. The high side of torque will probably come in around 600 pound-feet. The Cayenne Coupe will be fast all of the way around with the entry-level model hitting 60 in around 5.5 seconds and the range-topper doing it in around 3.6 seconds. Pricing is expected to start around $72,000 and increase to as much as $130,000 for the Cayenne Turbo Coupe.
Read our full speculative review on the 2019 Porsche Cayenne Coupe
Final Thoughts
I have to admit that I’m far from being onboard with this weird niche of vehicle. For the most part, they are just ugly, and BMW is all to blame. To this day, I still believe it started when a couple of BMW engineers got drunk and sketched something on a napkin, but we’ll leave that conversation for another time. The point is that I never thought we would see a bunch of coupe-like SUVs running around and it’s a clear indication of how much the automotive market changes over the years. In 40 years people are going to look back and wonder just what the hell we were thinking, I’m sure. Be that as it may, BMW is bound to have one of the best-looking SUV-coupes on the market thanks to the styling of the new X5 so it will be interesting to see how Mercedes and Porsche can really compete once this baby comes to market. It’s time to sit back and wait, though, so enjoy the renderings and stay tuned for updates.
- Love it
- Will see an increase in power
- Should get new X5 styling
- May be offered with the off-road package
- It will always be ugly as a whole
- Will probably be offered with the X5’s useless tech
Further reading
Read our full review on the 2018 BMW X6.
Read our full review on the new, 2019 BMW X5.
Read more BMW news.
Update History
Update 06/29/2018: A BMW X6 Prototype was caught testing for the first time. Check out our spy shots section below to learn all about it.
Source: Aksyonov Nikita via Behance
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– Cleveland, OH
BMW hopes the X6, which it calls a Sports Activity Vehicle, makes an emotional connection with you. That’s because any left-brained, analytical person will take one look it and toss it on the reject pile.
Basically an SUV with a space-restricting coupe-like roofline, the X6 costs more, holds less, and is not as comfortable than the traditional midsize BMW X5 SUV on which it’s based. There’s really no case for buying one unless it’s somehow gotten under your skin and you just gotta have it. In that case, just tell us and your conflicting hemisphere to shut the hell up.
Pricing⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀6/10
With a base price of $62,950, the BMW X6 is relatively expensive compared to most other SUVs. In fact, its base price is nearly $6,000 more than that of the BMW X5. How can BMW get away with charging more for the same vehicle that offers less utility? I don’t have a good answer, except that customers who can afford the X6 might be less price-sensitive and more disposed to trends, of which this car’s body type is certainly one.
The X6 xDrive35i I tested costs $75,745 out the door, which for BMWs is a surprisingly reasonable increase considering what it comes with. That includes an upgrade from rear-wheel to all-wheel drive, as well as four option packages that load it up with comfort, convenience, luxury, and safety features.
Design⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀4/10
The X6 is attractive in the way that all BMWs are attractive, which is to say it’s handsome but not particularly exhilarating or original. In fact, the face of the X6 is practically a cut-and-paste job from the X5. Its calling card is its coupe-like profile, but that’s hardly unique anymore, even among SUVs. The bottom line is that you really have to be smitten with how the X6 looks to justify paying more money for less utility compared to the X5.
What you get inside the X6 is proper luxury appointments. All of the materials are premium grade; they both look and feel expensive. The design itself is typical BMW with a wide center console, canted towards the driver, and a large touchscreen perched atop the dashboard.
As far as space inside goes, just make sure you call “Shotgun” first unless you’re the one holding the keys. Second row passengers suffer from tight dimensions, particularly headroom, due to the X6’s sloping roof; it offers just 37.4 inches of headroom compared to 39.8 in the X5.
It goes without saying that the cargo area suffers too. Don’t pull up curbside at your local Best Buy expecting to bring home a new flatscreen TV in the X6. While the cargo area’s depth remains ample, most of its height has been cut off. Compared to the X5, the X6 loses 9.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats (35.8 versus 26.6) and 17 cubic feet when those seats are folded forward (76.7 versus 59.7). More important than simply having less space, the space you’re left with just isn’t as useful because of the X6’s shape.
Technology & Connectivity⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀5/10
Once hated by critics, BMW’s iDrive infotainment system has evolved to become one of the industry’s best. The 10.2-inch touchscreen pairs perfectly with the rotary dial between the seats; they make inputs easy and intuitive for the driver, especially when using the touchpad atop the dial. Unfortunately, Apple CarPlay is $300 option and Android Auto isn’t available at all. BMW does offer some interesting tech in the X6, like wireless smartphone charging (a $400 option), a WiFi hotspot, real-time traffic information, and a head-up display. That said, we would be able to list more new and novel technologies if we were talking about an SUV from Volvo or Audi.
It doesn’t look much like an SUV, and the X6 doesn’t drive much like an SUV, either. The particular X6 I tested came with an optional Dynamic Damper system ($1,500), which allows the car’s four separate driving modes – Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ – to also affect its ride and handling. All four modes are distinct in how they make the X6 accelerate and handle, with Eco being the laziest and Sport+ being too high-strung. Comfort and Sport modes are the sweet spot, both offering settings for throttle sensitivity, steering effort, and suspension dampening that can be lived with during all-day errands.
The X6 xDrive35i is powered by a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet or torque. With peak torque available at just 1,300 rpm, the xDrive35i feels powerful underfoot at nearly all speeds. BMW also offers an xDrive50i model with a biturbocharged V8 producing 445 hp, but the plenty punchy and more fuel-efficient six-cylinder is the smarter option. It can even tow a maximum of 6,000 pounds, so who needs a V8?
Safety⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀5/10
BMW could do a better job offering more safety features, as well making them standard equipment or at least more affordable than what they are now. The X6 I tested did have a healthy list of safety features, but they came courtesy of spending an extra $5,450 on option packages – the Driving Assistance package ($1,700), Driving Assistance Plus package ($1,200), and Executive package ($2,550). Even then, while adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot and lane departure warning were included in those option packages, other important safety features like lane-keep assist and rear cross-traffic alert were absent.
The X6 xDrive35i isn’t very fuel efficient, though it’s hard to see that while comparing it to rivals on paper. For instance, it has the same combined fuel economy rating as its most direct competitor, the Mercedes-AMG GLE43 Coupe: 20 miles per gallon. But the Mercedes’ biturbo V6 offers 362 horsepower to the BMW’s 300. Same goes for the Land Rover Range Rover Velar, which has a supercharged V6 that produces 380 hp and still manages a combined rating of 20 mpg. The X6 also requires premium fuel, but it’s hard to hold that against it when the Mercedes and Land Rover do too.
Photos: John Neff / Motor1.com