More powerful V8, addition of electric motor and chassis alterations for hottest X6
ILLYA VERPRAET
TESTED 2.2.24, KENT ON SALE NOW
BMW has facelifted its X6 SUV-coupé. We tested the standard six-cylinder petrol model last week – now for the high-performance M Competition.
More has changed than you may expect. Of course, the M gets the same general tweaks as the lesser X6s (slimmer headlights, different tail-lights and a redesigned cabin with fewer buttons and bigger screens), but it has also been treated to some significant mechanical upgrades.
It still uses a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre petrol V8, but it’s an entirely new generation of engine, allegedly. We’ve seen it before in different states of tune in the X7 and XM, and the headline change is that it’s now a 48V mild hybrid.
The electric motor, which is integrated into the automatic gearbox, contributes up to 12bhp and helps with smoothly firing up and shutting down the engine.
Total system output remains at 617bhp and 553lb ft of torque.
Meanwhile, the ZF eight-speeder has been revised to take the motor and given lower first, second and third gears.
The result of the shorter gears and mild-hybrid power? The new X6 M is a tenth of a second, erm… slower to 62mph than the old one.
One intriguing benefit of the 48V system is that it has allowed BMW to fit active anti-roll bars.
Elsewhere, there’s a faster-acting stability control system and recalibrated adaptive dampers – but the M remains the only X6 that isn’t available with air suspension.
The X6 M may be slightly slower now, but 3.9sec to 62mph is still jolly rapid. The shorter gears don’t add much outright performance, but because it now rips through several of them on the way to the national limit, it feels as quick as anything.
What doesn’t help with driver involvement is the engine sound. I tended to start the car in Quiet mode in order not to upset my neighbours, and so configured, it really is rather quiet – from the inside, at least. Put the engine in Sport mode and open the exhaust baffles and it does acquire a more pronounced V8 bark. But it’s still not one of the great-sounding engines.
I don’t know whether this is due to emissions-reducing equipment gagging the engine or because of del
