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Usually I can get excited aboiut most new cars in some way; but yesterday in Geneva I just couldn't see the point of the X6, can anyone enlighten me?

It's the culmination of BMW's design depts experiment to see how ugly a car needs to be before people will stop buying it even though it has a BMW badge.

Darth's right. Awful.

Darth Balls has it spot-on; nothing I can add can express my utter contempt for the people who thought this car was a good idea.  Trying to be charitably, I suppose they were just trying to make a living; the real contempt I have is for the people who would considering buying one...

Contempt for people who buy a car ? That's a bit harsh, isn't it ?

From what I’ve read on the X6 there seems to be a competition among the various journos to see who can slagg it off best. You can almost feel the vibes that they are just willing this car to fail and fail miserably.

Ok, I’m going to be in minority of one here, but hey, I’m told it’s good to have differing opinions, right? I know many detest the X6’s looks. Somebody even described it as an X5 with an invisible elephant sitting on its arse, which made me chuckle. Then I saw pictures of a red X6 on a London street and I thought it looked quite fetching. Regardless, looks are a subjective thing.

As to the “point” issue. Well, one “could” make the argument that most cars larger than a Renault Clio are pretty pointless, but I won’t go there. What I’ll say is this. I think it’s generally accepted that over 90% of SUV/4x4s in the UK almost never go off-road. The X6, if reports are to be believed, is going to be among the best on-road drives (if not THE best) in the SUV sector. So if you are among the 90% “on-roaders”, must have an SUV, enjoy your driving and don’t need huge amounts of space, then the X6  might actually have more of a “point” to it than say a Land Cruiser or even a Range Rover Sport to you.

Ok, that’s me done playing the devil’s advocate, so let me have it. Just go easy on me; I’m having a stressful day as it is. :)

I see and understand all of the points you make. Where it all went from bad to worse for me was when i sat in it. Sitting behind someone else there i sno space in the back and the head room is attrocious. (i am 5'7). The boot is also a complete nonsense. I just can't see what it gives abouve an x5; and if one is that bothered about the driving xperience, why not have a car! Personally if I was having a 4x4 I would have a proper Range Rover (not a sport) diesel and forget about all pretence of sporting dynamics!

With regards to this, last week I spent half a day in a Cayenne GTS -  maybe the best 4x4 for a cross country blast? then got in a 730d; and I will tell you what it was the 730d that gave a far better account of itself for me.

tommallett:

I see and understand all of the points you make. Where it all went from bad to worse for me was when i sat in it. Sitting behind someone else there i sno space in the back and the head room is attrocious. (i am 5'7). The boot is also a complete nonsense. I just can't see what it gives abouve an x5; and if one is that bothered about the driving xperience, why not have a car! Personally if I was having a 4x4 I would have a proper Range Rover (not a sport) diesel and forget about all pretence of sporting dynamics...

Fair point.

I knew the X6 was not particularly roomy, but thought it could still accommodate 4 people fairly comfortably. But based on your experience it looks as if (lack of) rear space is a glaring shortcoming.

I also take and agree with the point that if you want a better drive, you should go for a normal car. And that is why, personally, I prefer normal cars to SUVs. I was trying to put forth the case for someone who must (for whatever eason) drive an SUV, but wants one with good dynamics. Of course, the X5 is already a pretty good drive (and much more practical/roomy too), but from BMW is saying, driving wise, the X6 is going to be in a different league, possibly even better than the more expensive Caynne.

Anyway, I hope BMW can back up their claim on the X6, because if not, this car might turn out to be one gamble too many.

Overdrive:

I think it’s generally accepted that over 90% of SUV/4x4s in the UK almost never go off-road.

So ? The weight for the 4x4 system is negligible and there are now plenty of 4x4s that handle. I've been round the Land Rover factory handling track at Gaydon in a Supercharged Range Rover Sport. I tell you, it was incredibly impressive and very, very rapid. Of even more interest, the Land Rover handling track isn't like an ordinary high speed handling track. Sure, it has tight corners and rapid changes of direction from left to right and so on but the track itself is made up of raised manhole covers, deliberately poor road surfaces, water, changes of surface and anything to try to unsettle the car - the worst of all UK road surfaces in one place. I tell that you a Porsche would not have kept up. The 4x4 was actually saving us. The X6 might have a place there.

James, that 90% remark wasn't meant as an attack/criticism on the use of SUVs in the UK. On the contrary, I used it to make the case for those SUVs, like the X6, that have been specifically designed for road use, since they are hardly ever used off-road.

James, I do kind of feel for you in your role as unofficial forum defender of 4x4s. I suspect it is a thankless task and it gives me little pleasure to pick you up when you get a bit overenthusiastic. But the weight of four wheel drive on a car is not generally negligent. Even on something like a Qashqai which doesn't have the kind of transfer boxes, etc., seen on proper 4x4s, it adds around 70kg. Or like permanently carrying an extra passenger. On any Land Rover product, I'd bet the farm on the additional weight of the 4x4 gear being at least 100kg.

James, have you driven a Cayenne Turbo? a RR sport supercharger wouldn't see it for dust! Don't get me wrong, I like Range Rovers but even a sport superchrger is a bit of a joke as a sports car!