BMW X6

The BMW X6 is a mid-size luxury crossover released for sale in the second quarter of 2008 by German automaker BMW. 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 (bold styling, dramatic sloping roof).

Petrol engines

Initially, the BMW X6 was available in North America (Now released in the UK) in two variants. Both use twin-turbocharged engines. The top-of-the-line model is the xDrive50i which uses an all-new 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine. This all new version of the 550i/650i's engine (N62) is being used with twin turbo technology from the 135i/335i. It produces 408 PS (300 kW; 402 hp) between 5,500 and 6,400 rpm, and 600 N·m (440 lb·ft) of torque over a wide range of between 1,800 and 4,500 rpm. It is the first production turbocharged V8 engine in the world to feature its turbochargers between the 'V' section in the middle of the two banks of cylinders. The exhaust and intake manifolds are in the un-traditional position - exhausts top of the engine and engine intakes directed to the outer sides of the 'V'.

The other model is the X6 xDrive35i powered by the N54 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six gasoline engine, producing 306 PS (225 kW; 302 hp) between 5800 and 6250 rpm, and a peak torque of 400 N·m (300 lb·ft) between 1400 and 5000 rpm. This engine also sees duty in the 1, 3 and 5 Series BMW cars.

With high under-pinnings and luxury features from the BMW 6 Series, the BMW X6 seats only four persons in total. The rear seats share a centre console based from the BMW 3 Series Coupe (E92)

The high-performance M derivative, the BMW X6 M, includes a twin scroll twin turbo version of BMW N63 engine with Cylinder-bank Comprehensive Manifold (CCM). 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, special gills in the front fenders, 20-inch light-alloy wheels.

The 2010 BMW X6 M has MSRP of US$89,725.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2009 New York Auto Show. The BMW X6 M was seen in the 2009 MotoGP as one of the pace cars.

In late 2009, BMW introduced an X6 featuring a version of the Global Hybrid Cooperation hybrid power train, 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 will not be sold in the UK. The production vehicle was unveiled alongside a 7-series hybrid at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto 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 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.

Diesel engines

Two diesel variants have been announced, and are expected to constitute as much as 90% of sales volume in European markets. The models are called 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 produce 235 PS (173 kW) in the xDrive30d and 286 PS (210 kW) in the xDrive 35d version. The second of these power units will form the basis of BMW's Diesel launch in all 50 states in late-2008

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BMW ActiveHybrid X6

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 5-door wagon

BASE PRICE: $89,775

ENGINE TYPE: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, 400 hp, 450 lb-ft; AC synchronous electric motors, 91 and 86 hp, 192 and 206 lb-ft; combined power rating, 480 hp, 575 lb-ft

TRANSMISSION: continuously variable automatic with 4 fixed ratios and manumatic shifting

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 115.5 in Length: 192.0 in
Width: 78.1 in Height: 66.5 in
Curb weight (C/D est): 5700 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 5.2 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 14.0 sec
Top speed (governor limited): 130 mph

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 17/19 mpg

Both models share ActiveHybrid badging and fall in the contradictory performance-hybrid segment, but their similarities end there. The 7 is a mild hybrid that uses an electric motor in its eight-speed automatic gearbox and a compact lithium-ion battery mounted in the trunk to assist acceleration and run the accessories; the X6 is a far more complex full hybrid. The latter’s pair of motors and advanced electronic continuously variable transmission allow it to waft up to 1.6 miles and at speeds of up to 37 mph on electric current alone. Forget about Prius-like fuel economy, though, because the ActiveHybrid X6 is the most powerful hybrid yet produced, with the electric bits combining with a 400-hp, 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 to produce a total output of 480 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque. (When pressed on why it didn’t choose to pair the hybrid system with the X6 xDrive35i’s twin-turbo six-cylinder, BMW simply says that using the V-8 made for the largest jump in efficiency. Plus, the company added, the resulting vehicle would be slower.)

Two Modes and Lots of Explaining

Based around the two-mode CVT BMW co-developed with General Motors and the old DaimlerChrysler, the X6 hybrid is similar in concept to hybrid versions of GM’s full-size SUVs and pickups, as well as the short-lived Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen hybrids and the upcoming Mercedes-Benz ML450 hybrid. That concept in a nutshell: Take a big vehicle with a relatively inefficient, large-displacement engine and pair it with an electrified transmission that keeps the powertrain at maximum efficiency no matter what the speed to improve city fuel economy without sacrificing highway efficiency.

Compared with the GM and Chrysler examples, which blend CVT operation with two electric motors and three planetary gearsets for a total of four fixed gear ratios, the X6’s unit stirs in three additional, “virtual” ratios, effectively making the transmission a seven-speed for better dynamic performance. As with the normal X6, manumatic shifting is performed via the console shifter or wheel-mounted paddles. The two electric motors within the gearbox—rated at 91 and 86 hp and 192 and 206 lb-ft of torque, respectively—assist with high- and low-speed mobility while also helping to recapture wasted energy through regenerative braking. The juice, stored in a 2.4-kWh nickel-metal hydride battery pack under the floor of the X6’s cargo hold (it lives where conventional X6 models keep their spare tires; run-flats are standard on the hybrid), is then fed back into the system and on to the drive wheels

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Geneva motor show 2011: top 5 lists

Top 5 things no Geneva press conference can be without
1 A percentage sales increase - somewhere, anywhere...
2 A sub-100gm/km CO2 rating
3 A car that's 'best in its class' for something eco-friendly
4 If you're a German car maker, use of the word 'fascination'. If Italian, use of the word 'passion'
5 The bit journalists find embarrassing when attendees (ie staff) start clapping
Top 5 concepts
1 Mini Rocketman: so cool, so small, so now
2 Mazda Minagi: small, sexy, frugal, fun
3 Infiniti Etherea: different but for the right reasons
4 Nissan Esflow: the Zed car of 2020
5 Alfa 4C: Alfa outPorsches the Cayman
Top 5 celebrity spots at the Geneva motor show
1 Gwyneth Paltrow on the BMW stand. No sign of Coldplay hubby Chris Martin
2 Frau Joy Wetli, Weight Watchers member of the year 2010 on the Daihatsu stand (seriously)
3 Sabrina Guillod, runner-up Miss Switzerland 2010 chez Seat. So last year dahhling
4 Freddy Nock, tightrope walker on the Ford stand. Uhuh
5 David Bittner, bear biologist also on the Ford stand. Did we miss something?
Top 5 numbers at Geneva
700 The power output in horsepower of the new Lamborghini Aventador V12
6 How many Bugatti Veyrons remain unsold
3,000,000 Number of hybrids sold by Toyota in past 14 years
850 Weight in kilogrammes of the new carbon Alfa 4C. Bellissimo!
€6990 Cost in euros of the Renault Twizy
Mark's top 5 odd press conference moments
1 The Fiat Freemont being hidden under what looked like a giant boil ripe for lancing
2 Vauxhall/Opel design chief Mark Adams presenting the Zafira Tourer in what appeared to be an igloo
3 Fiat again: were those male mannequins standing by the 500 Twinair and the Mephstophele vintage racing car, or just models capable of standing extremely still for a long time?
4 Dr Ulrich Bez of Aston Martin reading his speech from a modern smartphone, while standing on a very old-fashioned box
5 Who was the man sitting in the Mini Rocketman when it was unwrapped, and was he supposed to be there? Or had he been accidentally trapped inside?
Top 5 marketing twaddle
1 Enjoyeering: Seat's take on eco drivetrain in the IBX
2 Aeromotional: what Saab calls its new design language
3 Rocketman: let's just call it the mini Mini, shall we?
4 Jump 2013: Mitsubishi goes OTT with its three-year business plan
5 We are Lotus: yes, we know you are. Stop banging on about it!
Top 5 madcap cars
1 Saab Phoenix: gothic chic meets Swedish sexiness
2 Gumpert Tornante: sleek makeover for brutal Apollo
3 Smart Forspeed: what BMW's i brand should be all about
4 Weissman Spyder: chunky, light and with 400bhp. Wunderbar...
5 BMW Connected Drive: the Z8 my children will lust after
Mark's top 5 things to trip-over on press days - a health and safety primer
1 Video and photographer tripods
2 Unexpected steps on show stands
3 Power and network cables near any media work station
4 Engineers - they tend to hover around the lower extremities of cars taking photos and measuring things without warning
5 Those damned Seat freebie trolley bags that avid presskit and free swag collectors tow absentmindedly around with them

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Aston Martin V8 Vantage S (2011) CAR review

This is the latest baby Aston – the delectable Vantage S. It should look very familiar to you and underneath the handsome skin Darwinian evolution is the order of the day, too.
The now-familiar 4.7-litre V8 now has 430bhp (up 10bhp) and 361lb ft (up 15lb) thanks to improved breathing and more accurate spark ignition. A new exhaust system is both lighter and (this is hard to believe) even fruitier in Sport mode.
Perhaps most significantly the Vantage S comes with a brand new seven-speed Sportshift gearbox, which promises shorter stacked ratios for greater acceleration and much reduced shift times.

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