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2008 BMW X6 - Exclusive In-Depth Look at the New SAV Coupe - VIDEO FEATURE

Produced and Edited by Marc J. Rauch, Exec. VP/Co-Publisher

Why do all the wines from a great winery taste great? Because they haveone chief winemaker who decides on what the taste characteristics of thewines should be. The same can be said of great restaurant groups: they haveone chief chef upon whose judgment they rely for their distinctive andunique taste.

Savarin Coffee"s El Exigente
In coffee marketing, Savarin created a mythical TV character known as ElExigente, the demanding one, to trade upon the idea that there was oneperson responsible for insuring that every cup of Savarin was as good asthe last.*
The Little Old Winemaker
For those of you old enough to remember El Exigente,you’ll probably also recall Italian Swiss Colony’s fictionaltaste expert, who would end each commercial by answering the question ofwho was responsible for creating such fine wines with, “ The littleold winemaker, me.”**

Heinz Krusche, BMW"s taste master, behind the wheel
Well, it turns out that BMW, one of the world’s great automobilemakers has their very own top chef El Exigente, only he’s not a fictionalcharacter. Heinz Krusche, the man who has put his personal stamp ofapproval on every BMW vehicle for nearly three decades, is as real as youand me.

Here’s how I learned about Heinz: I recently had the opportunityto travel to South Carolina to test drive BMW’s all-new X6 SAV. Well,it took no time at all behind the wheel to deduce that the X6 handled likeevery other BMW that I’ve ever driven, which is to say that it is awonderful driving machine. At the end of the first stage of the route, Iwas asked by Tom Plucinsky, BMW’s Product and TechnologyCommunications Manager, what my initial impression was. I did not respondquickly. In all truth, it was a difficult question because as I indicatedabove, the X6 simply drives like a BMW, so there was nothing new that Icould think of to say. So I said to Tom, “It drives like aBMW…and I mean that in a good way.”

Perhaps sensing my difficulty and understanding that my comment was notmeant to be uncomplimentary, Tom quickly declared, “There’s agood reason for that. All BMWs in recent years have had to meet thepersonal approval of one man, Heinz Krusche, and he here if you’dlike to talk with him.”

Now, I’ve been test driving and writing about cars for more than20 years, but I never heard about this before: that there’s one manresponsible for the feel of every BMW vehicle. Needless to say, I wasintrigued and I knew I had to include a video interview with Heinz as partof my coverage of the X6.

Therefore, we’re pleased to present exclusive video not just ofClemens Zimmermann, the X6 Product Manager, describing the new SAV coupe,but an exclusive video with Heinz Krusche behind the wheel of the X6 as hetakes us around the Michelin Proving Grounds Test Track.

* Savarin’s El Exigente preceded the National Federation of CoffeeGrowers’ Juan Valdez (another mythical traveling coffee taster) ontelevision commercials by about 10 years.
** Legendary actor/voice-over artist Jim Backus was the voice of theLittle Old Winemaker. Ludwig Stossel, the actor that played the on-screencharacter also played Lou Gehrig’s father in “The Pride of theYankees” (Gary Cooper was Gerhig).

A completely new type of vehicle, a unique design concept and drivingdynamics never seen before – all this becomes reality in the new BMWX6. The world’s first Sports Activity Coupé offers features andabilities not available in a comparable combination in any other automobile theworld over. In its design the new BMW X6 combines the sporting elegance ofa large BMW Coupé with the powerful presence of a BMW X model. The uniquedriving characteristics of the BMW X6, in turn, come from the innovativecombination of driving dynamics on the road so typical of BMW and absolutesupremacy on all kinds of terrain. So this is a unique coupé and, at thesame time, a very special BMW X model.

With its low-slung side windows and the roofline tapering out to therear, the BMW X6 unmistakably boasts the proportions of a genuine coupé.Inside – again in typical coupé style – the BMW X6 accommodatesthe driver and front passenger as well as two further passengers at therear. Extra ground clearance, strikingly designed wheel arches, four doors,the large rear hatch as well as the high waistline bear a clear resemblancein style to BMW’s other X models. This design is indeed an authenticexpression of the dynamic driving potential offered by the BMW X6 throughits drivetrain and suspension technology not only on the road, but also onrough terrain and off the beaten track.

The BMX X6 comes as standard with BMW’s intelligent xDrive forvariable distribution of drive power between the front and rear axle. Inaddition, this is the first vehicle in the world to feature DynamicPerformance Control likewise fitted as standard for variable distributionof drive forces between the two rear wheels. So regardless of the actualpower and traction coming from the engine, the power and torque delivered,say, to the outer wheel in a bend can be actively increased wheneverrequired. This system – unique the world over – significantlyenhances steering precision, traction on bends and, accordingly, theagility of the vehicle even at moderate speeds. On fast bends and in abruptsteering manoeuvres or when suddenly taking back engine power, DynamicPerformance Control serves furthermore to enhance the stability of thevehicle, allowing the driver to safely enter a new dimension of drivingdynamics. On slippery and mixed surfaces, finally, Dynamic PerformanceControl offers the advantage of even better and more reliable traction.

BMW’s new V8 power unit with Twin Turbo technology and directpetrol injection is also making its world debut in the BMW X6. Displacing4.4 litres, this outstanding 8-cylinder develops a maximum output of 300kW/407 bhp and peak torque of 600 Newton-metres/442 lb-ft across anunusually large speed range from 1,750–4,500 rpm, and is thereforethe most powerful drive unit ever featured in a BMW X model. This new8-cylinder stands out not only due to its supreme power and torque, butalso due to its compact dimensions. It is indeed the first 8-cylinderpetrol engine in the world with its turbochargers in the V-area between thetwo rows of cylinders.

Front end with powerful presence and clear focus on the road.
In its design the BMW X6 shows the typical look of a vehicle with theDNA of a BMW X model re-interpreted in this case in unique, sporting style:the BMW X6 stands out as a genuine BMW from every angle, with thesculptural looks so characteristic of all BMW X models. The front, sidesand rear end of the automobile flow smoothly and directly into one another, theirshapes and surfaces merging to form one harmonious unit.

Right from the start, the flair and look of the front end giveBMW’s new Sports Activity Coupé powerful presence. Due to the largershare of surfaces finished in body colour, however, the BMW X6 creates theimpression of being lower and even more sporting, emphasising its dynamicorientation to the road. The DNA typical of a BMW X automobile is also to beadmired on the engine compartment lid, in the dual round headlights cut offat the top, and in the structure of the BMW kidney grille in uprightposition. Large air intakes positioned far to the outside not only clearlyindicate the cooling requirements of the powerful engines, but also,together with the side panels stretching to the inside far beyond theheadlights, provide clear visual orientation to the wheels, again bearingtestimony to the stable stance of the vehicle on the road. The air intakesat the side are split horizontally by bars in aluminium colour alsosurrounding the round fog lamps.

Side view: dynamic roofline, muscular surfaces.
The unique proportions of the BMW X6 stand out particularly from theside. The short front body overhang emphasises the dynamic character of thevehicle, the roofline tapering out gently to the rear and the long bodyoverhang at the rear end give the BMW X6 its stretched coupé silhouette.With the roof reaching its highest point directly over the front row ofseats, the driver receives particular emphasis as a special effectreflecting the extravagant design of the BMW X6.

The high waistline and the powerfully flared wheel arches front and rearmoving the visual centre of gravity to the middle and thus referringclearly to all-wheel drive are further significant elements of BMW X withits unique genes. Slender plastic protectors at the bottom of the bumpers,on the sills and the wheel arches also provide discreet reference to therobust character of the BMW X6. Rear end characterised by strong shouldersand a powerful stance on the road.

Features and characteristics typical of elegance, sportiness androbustness likewise come together in fascinating style at the rear end toform a harmonious entity. A powerful bumper and the protector panel on theunderfloor are classical elements of a BMW X model in its design. At thesame time the new vehicle comes in the proportions typical of a coupé butin the special style and class of a BMW X model. The greenhouse with itsunusually angled rear window tapers out smoothly to the rear, the rearhatch with its striking airflow spoiler adding a further feature typical ofa coupé. The entire rear view is split up by horizontal lines giving therear end of the BMW X6 an even wider look and emphasising the powerfulstance of the automobile on the road. Even the rear lights, in their design,highlight the unique character of the BMW X6, re-interpreting the L-shapeso typical of a BMW X model and adding a dynamic, flowing look.

Sporting and exclusive interior.


The interior of the BMX X6 offers a unique combination of exclusiveluxury, sporting dynamics and powerful design to the very last detail.Sophisticated, high-quality surfaces make the interior an outstandingexperience in touch and looks. And like all BMW X models, the new SportsActivity Coupé offers an elevated, commanding seating position giving thedriver an even better feeling of security and superiority in his BMWX6.

The new model also stands out from the existing models in the BMW Xrange due to the two single seats at the rear in sporting design, separatedby the centre console and offering both superior side support andintegrated headrests.

The BMW X6 is the only model within the competitive environment of theBMW X models to have a sports steering wheel with shift paddles asstandard. They are for manual change of drive position in conjunction withthe 6-speed automatic transmission, likewise a standard feature. Yetanother sporting feature is provided by the new knee pads on the centreconsole offering both the driver and front passenger additional support andstability, for example in sudden manoeuvres in city traffic but also whendriving off-road on rough terrain.

Lots of space, wide range of options for customisation.
The rear doors opening up to a wide angle significantly facilitateaccess to the two rear seats. An unusually generous feature for a coupé isthe substantial headroom at the rear, 944 millimetres or 37.2” givingeven tall passengers maximum comfort at all times. Seen from the rear, thewindow graphics of the BMW X6 create a feeling of forward-striving opennessand, as a result, a generous experience of space.

The passenger and luggage compartments in the BMW X6 are clearlyseparated from one another in typical coupé style. The useful luggagecompartment behind the rear seats offers capacity of 570 litres, far morethan the space usually available in a coupé. Among other things, thisenables four passengers in a BMW X6 to take along four golf bags in theluggage compartment. To increase luggage capacity even further, the rearseat backrest folds down asymmetrically, with luggage capacity increasingto a maximum of no less than 1,450 litres or 50.8 cubic feet. A two-stagegas spring featured as standard, to mention yet another feature, allows thedriver and his passengers to determine the final position of the rear lidindividually when open according to their requirements. This avoids therisk of damage, for example when opening the lid in an indoor automobile park witha low ceiling.

The exterior paintwork comes in a range of ten colours, while theinterior offers five equipment variants, two interior colours and five trimvariants for a wide range of choice. Trim strips in ash grain and flywheelaluminium are available exclusively on this new Sports Activity Coupé,while the seat upholstery comes with a choice of various high-quality clothand leather variants as well as a new combination of alcantara and leatherexclusive to the BMW X6.

Perfect combination of superior dynamics and outstanding comfort.
When it comes to driving dynamics, the world’s first SportsActivity Coupé offers new dimensions clearly defined by a significantincrease in agility, unique stability in fast bends, and safe traction onslippery surfaces. Powerful engines, BMW’s intelligent xDrivetechnology, DSC Dynamic Stability Control, optional Active Steering andAdaptive Drive, as well as Dynamic Performance Control featured for thefirst time – as standard – on the BMX X6, together with thewider rear track, set the foundation for supreme driving dynamics.