A Range Rover Evoque Cabrio rival

Malaysian automotive manipulator Theophilus Chin has digitally imagined a convertible body style for the new BMW X6 SUV.

Chin adds a playful take on the topic, saying that “since BMW builds some awkward SUVs, why not add an X6 Cabriolet to its range”.

Naturally, this virtual project reminds us of the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, but the designer also says the X6 Convertible might work “as somehow people would buy anything with a BMW badge on”.

The official release of the all-new, second generation BMW X6 crossover last week was bound to ignite some creative thinking in the design-o-sphere and here are some of the very first results.

A render for the next high-performance X6M was to be expected, but Hungarian Photoshop manipulator X-Tomi went one-step further envisioning a three-door iteration of the mid-size crossover.

Whereas it's only a matter of time before BMW unleashes the twin-turbo V8 X6M with more than 550 horses packed under its hood, the 3-door X6 is only a suggestion - for now…because at some point, in their ongoing quest for increased sales and market share, the Bavarians may consider expanding their crossover lineup with yet another niche model.

As BMW has accustomed us lately, every time the German automaker launches a new vehicle it releases a special presentation video, or “launch film” as it likes to call it. The latest model to get such a video is the recently launched second-generation BMW X6.

The new Sports Activity Coupé (SAC) is showcased on beautiful country roads, on a short off-road escapade (where it proves to be faster than a pair of horses), and overall looking shiny and expensive.

In my view, BMW is trying to convey to prospective X6 customers a glamorous image, selling them the illusion that by buying the car they will also get the lifestyle depicted in the video.

It's not something new, however, as all automakers do it one way or another. What I still struggle to understand though is the BMW X6’s raison d'être. Despite the first generation’s undeniable success, I can’t see why someone would choose it over a BMW 5-Series Touring with xDrive or a BMW X5.

Just so we are all clear on this; no - this car will not make you have women like the ones we see in the clip. Neither will it make you look any better. There is also no chance that you will be able to drive away from a speeding helicopter or will it make you ride horses any better. The only thing it will do is eat your wallet each time you service it and it might - just might, save you from a horrible traffic accident - but isn't that worth paying for?

PS: I really hate such commecial films that tries to make you something that you're not. Otherwise BMW is a great car.

The closer we approach to the official debut of the new BMW X6M, rumored for this November's LA Auto Show, the more skin we get to see on the prototypes.

By most accounts, the second-generation X6 codenamed F16 is a better / sharper looking model than the original car and the M version only adds to this notion with the more aggressively styled bumpers, bigger wheels, rocker panels, rear diffuser with quad pipes and a lowered stance. It also has unique M-style door mirrors and double-kidney slats.

It doesn't get a carbon fiber roof, but like the rest of the X6s, it will benefit from a weight reduction of around 80kg (175+ pounds), courtesy of the new platform and the use of more aluminum and composite materials on the body.

Its engine will be a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 shared with the M5, but BMW's M division may work its magic to give it a bit more power than 555PS (547hp) and 680Nm (501 lb-ft).

While this has not been confirmed, the outgoing X6M's 6-speed automatic could be replaced by a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission or an 8-speed automatic. In any case, the transmission will drive all four wheels as standard.

How about that; according to a BMW official, the new X6M is as fast as the previous E92 M3 Coupe on the Nürburgring, which if true, means it obliterates the Range Rover SVR's freshly set record.

For those of you keeping track of such things, Land Rover's new performance Range Rover SVR with a 550PS (542hp) supercharged V8 looped around the Nordschleife this summer in 8 minutes and 14 seconds setting a production car record for SUVs.

Herbert Bayerl, project leader for the two M cars, told Germany's Sport-Auto magazine that the X6M is as fast as the previous M3 Coupe, which recorded a time of 8 minutes and 5 seconds back in December of 2007 in the hands of the publication.

That would make it a whopping 11 seconds quicker than the SVR while also improving the previous X6M's time by 20 seconds – an eternity on the track.

"We have been traveling much faster in testing and have undercut the times of the Range Rover [SVR] several times. We do not need any special add-on parts to go faster," said Bayerl.

Asked if BMW would attempt to officially break Land Rover's record, the Bavarian project leader told the magazine, "we'll leave that to you".

BMW's new X6M shares its underpinnings, including a 575PS (567hp) 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 paired to an 8-speed auto, with the also new X5M.

Installation costs not included

Lumma Design has announced their outlandish body kit tailored to the second generation BMW X6 costs €32,924.

Their Russian colleagues from TopCar were the ones who revealed the body kit’s steep price tag which does not include installation costs. Speaking of which, TopCar says installing the cartoonish-looking aftermarket body in Russia costs 220,500 rubles (€2,590) which is two and a half times cheaper than in Germany and can be optionally had with massive 22-inch wheels completing the Transformers look.

After slapping on the custom body panels, the BMW X6's width increases by a total of 100mm and at the back it gains a carbon fiber diffuser flanking quad exhaust tips mounted in the center. There's also a vented carbon fiber hood, along with a roof-mounted spoiler and muscular side skirts.

Some engine upgrades have also been implemented as the twin-turbo V8 4.4-liter inside the X6 xDrive50i has been bumped from 450 HP (330 kW) to 590 HP (434 kW) whereas torque was lifted from 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) to 850 Nm (627 lb-ft). On top of that, the 155 mph (250 km/h) speed limiter can be removed to allow the unrestricted X6 hit 183 mph (295 km/h).

We knew Bob Flavin had driven the new BMW X6M on the Circuit of the Americas, but it’s taken over a month for the result of the drive to finally make it onto the web, in video review form.

There’s not much talking going on in the video, as the reviewer concentrates to keep the X6M on the track. He is completely won over by its sheer capability, even if it’s at odds with the kind of vehicle it is and what you’d expect one to do.

It’s an alternative to the usual BMW M saloons, but with even more practicality and a more distinctive look. If that’s what you’re after, then Flavin says you’re better off with this X6M, instead of the other available M cars.

Now, I`m not trying to nitpick here, and I`ve not been in or driven this new X6M, but the engine sounds just as flat and artificial as in the past model. Why doesn’t BMW learn a thing or two from Audi and Mercedes when it comes to making a turbo V8 sound good…