The new BMW X6 has been revealed, with the third-generation version of Munich’s large coupé-style SUV growing in size and gaining more powerful engines.

Scheduled to arrive in South Africa in November 2019, the local X6 range – which will again be built at Plant Spartanburg in the United States – will comprise only the M50i and M50d variants at launch.

The new model has grown in length by 26 mm to 4 935 mm, while 15 mm has been added to its width (taking the figure to 2 004 mm). It now stands some six millimetres lower (at 1 696 mm), while space between its axles has increased by 42 mm to 2 975 mm.

The newcomer will be offered in standard trim, xLine guise and M Sport specification (see image below). The X6 M50i and X6 M50d variants will ship standard on 21-inch light-alloy wheels. BMW furthermore says the new X6 will be optionally available with an “illuminated” kidney grille, with the function being activated by opening or closing the car (although it can be switched on and off manually, too).

Inside, it’s clear the new X6 (logically) shares much with the latest X5, offering items such as a high-resolution instrument cluster and a new control display, both with a screen diagonal of 12,3 inches. Luggage capacity comes in at a claimed 580 litres, a figure that can be expanded to 1 530 litres with the rear bench folded down.

While some other markets will receive the X6 xDrive40i (with its straight-six petrol engine offering 250 kW) and the X6 xDrive30d (using a six-cylinder inline diesel unit worth 195 kW), these derivatives aren’t destined for South Africa ... at launch, anyway.

Instead, the local market will dive right into the M Performance deep end, with the X6 M50i offering 390 kW and 750 N.m from its 4,4-litre V8 petrol engine and the X6 M50d churning out 294 kW and 760 N.m from its quad-turbo 3,0-litre inline-six diesel powerplant. Both models feature an M Sport exhaust system as standard, along with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

The petrol model will take a claimed 4,3 seconds to hit 100 km/h, while the oil-burning model completes the sprint to three figures in a claimed 5,2 seconds. Both top out at an electronically limited 250 km/h.

Original article from Car