BMW’s Top-Secret X6 Spied . . .
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BMW’s Top-Secret X6 Spied . . .
Our friends at KGP Photography have cracked off some excellent shots of what they believe is an early BMW X6 mule. Derived from the new X5, the new crossover will apparently weight style over utility, with a more aggressively sloped roofline and steep windshield.
The spy shooters originally thought they could be looking at another planned X5-based vehicle, the V5, but given the fact that it doesn’t appear to be very efficient in terms of packaging (The V5 is said to be pitched at Mercedes-Benz’s R-Class), they’ve decided otherwise.
"Source: KGP Photography
Judging from this prototype we photographed in Germany, it appears
that BMW has started development work on the X6–a new model spun off
from the recently-released X5. This new performance-minded crossover
appears to have taken the philosophy of the Mercedes CLS four-door-
coupe, utilizing a sloped roof-line and and tauter packaging in the
name of style. Sober concerns such as functionality and cargo
capacity have been left to the X5, which has grown larger and more
versatile in its recent second-generation redesign. From the looks
of it, this X6 has been styled to match the bravado of cars like the
Range Rover Sport, which take the SUV in a decidedly athletic direction.
The heavy camouflage obviously hides the nuances of the design, but
the prototype’s smooth profile, steeply raked windshield, high
waistline and slim greenhouse are readily apparent. The sloping roof
arc is expected to continue straight into a coupe-like hoffmeister
kink, bringing a little of the Z4 coupe into the crossover zone. One
look at the chiseled ground-effects between the wheels also hints at
some pronounced fender swells that should add to the sporting look.
When we first shot this prototype, speculation began on the exact
identity of this vehicle, since another X5 spin-off–the V5–is said
to be in the works. But the V5 is supposed to be a uniquely space-
efficient vehicle in the guise of Mercedes’ R-Class, and this
prototype doesn’t seem to fit that description. Given the success of
the Range Rover Sport in the marketplace, and the lukewarm launch of
the R-Class, BMW appears to be making the right move in putting the
X6 ahead of the V5 in the development cycle. The X6 is likely still
two years away from showrooms. The fact that it will share elements
of the X5, that time-frame could be accelerated a bit.
Written By: Christopher Paukert "
The spy shooters originally thought they could be looking at another planned X5-based vehicle, the V5, but given the fact that it doesn’t appear to be very efficient in terms of packaging (The V5 is said to be pitched at Mercedes-Benz’s R-Class), they’ve decided otherwise.
"Source: KGP Photography
Judging from this prototype we photographed in Germany, it appears
that BMW has started development work on the X6–a new model spun off
from the recently-released X5. This new performance-minded crossover
appears to have taken the philosophy of the Mercedes CLS four-door-
coupe, utilizing a sloped roof-line and and tauter packaging in the
name of style. Sober concerns such as functionality and cargo
capacity have been left to the X5, which has grown larger and more
versatile in its recent second-generation redesign. From the looks
of it, this X6 has been styled to match the bravado of cars like the
Range Rover Sport, which take the SUV in a decidedly athletic direction.
The heavy camouflage obviously hides the nuances of the design, but
the prototype’s smooth profile, steeply raked windshield, high
waistline and slim greenhouse are readily apparent. The sloping roof
arc is expected to continue straight into a coupe-like hoffmeister
kink, bringing a little of the Z4 coupe into the crossover zone. One
look at the chiseled ground-effects between the wheels also hints at
some pronounced fender swells that should add to the sporting look.
When we first shot this prototype, speculation began on the exact
identity of this vehicle, since another X5 spin-off–the V5–is said
to be in the works. But the V5 is supposed to be a uniquely space-
efficient vehicle in the guise of Mercedes’ R-Class, and this
prototype doesn’t seem to fit that description. Given the success of
the Range Rover Sport in the marketplace, and the lukewarm launch of
the R-Class, BMW appears to be making the right move in putting the
X6 ahead of the V5 in the development cycle. The X6 is likely still
two years away from showrooms. The fact that it will share elements
of the X5, that time-frame could be accelerated a bit.
Written By: Christopher Paukert "
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Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Michigan
Nabbed: Spy Pics Show BMW X6 in Development
Judging from these spy photos, the BMW X6 appears to be deep in the development cycle.
The BMW X6 is nabbed on the streets.
The BMW X6 may well be coming soon.
Date posted: 11-27-2006
MUNICH, Germany — BMW appears to be working on a spin-off of its new X5 that could be called the X6.
Spy photographers snapped the accompanying images of a crossover vehicle that seems to ape the looks and style of the Range Rover Sport and the Mercedes CLS coupe rather than the more traditional boxy styling of SUVs.
Despite the camouflage, spy photographers saw a sloped roof, a steeply raked windshield and a slim, sleek-looking profile. From the look of it, they say, it's not the V5 that BMW is rumored to be working on; that model is expected to be more of a Mercedes R-Class type that places more of a premium on space efficiency than sportiness.
Even though it was out being tested, sources say not to expect a BMW X6 in the local dealership for two years at this point.
What this means to you: A little something to look forward to from BMW as high-performance marques continue to refine the crossover-vehicle idea.
Source: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=117698#2
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