First drive - BMW X6 Xdrive50i

Thursday 13 August 2009

Brilliant. The V8-powered X6 is loud and lairy – and definitely not for the faint-hearted

What is it?

The Xdrive50i is currently the most outrageous version of BMW’s X6. Designed with coupe-like styling and X5 proportions, for many this controversial crossover SUV is an object lesson in pointlessness. This particular model reinforces that view even further, as it sports a massive 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine developing 408bhp and 423lb-ft of torque. That’s a lot of power but, as the X6 weighs in at well over two tons, it’s necessary to propel it to 62mph in just 5.4 seconds.

There’s also all the kit you need for the (fee-paying?) school run, including leather, alloy wheels, climate control, cruise control and a decent radio/CD player as standard: the sat nav/upgraded stereo system will cost you £1,800 extra, but it is pretty decent.

Is it any good?

As much as we should hate it, the Xdrive50i is actually very good. In fact, some aspects of it are excellent. On the road, the X6 handles with the kind of poise and control you’d expect to get from a hot hatch. Our test car came with gargantuan 20-inch alloy wheels and super-wide tyres, which made the steering heavier: however, there’s plenty of feedback, which allows you to place the car accurately on the road. It also feels composed in tight corners, thanks to its wide stance, and has to be pushed pretty hard to induce any loss of grip from its massive tyres.

When you’re not blasting around country lanes waking up the locals with the roar from the V8, the X6 actually feels quite civilised. It’s an effortlessly smooth motorway cruiser and there’s very little road or wind noise, thanks to excellent sound-deadening in the cabin.

As you would expect from a car costing in excess of £50k, it’s beautifully finished inside and out. The looks won’t be to everyone’s taste but the interior, with its leather and soft-touch materials, feels decidedly luxurious. In the rear there are two seats rather than three: the middle seat can be specified as a no-cost option, but otherwise you’ll get some handy storage compartments instead.

The downside? Well, this car will cost the earth – financially and environmentally – to run. Carbon dioxide emissions of 299g/km aren’t going to win you any ecologically aware friends and, while fuel economy of 22mpg is attainable with a decent motorway run, if you’re using it around town or have a heavy right foot, you’re unlikely to get much more than 18mpg.

Secondly, the X6 is hardly discreet, so if you’re a bit of a shrinking violet then it’s probably not the car for you. Attracting attention – both positive and negative – is unavoidable in this car, as there’s nothing really quite like it on the road.

Should I give it garage space?

If you’ve been blessed with an environmental conscience, you’ll probably be thinking that this is the most pointless car BMW has ever produced – and we wouldn’t entirely disagree with you.

But every time we drive the X6 we’re baffled as to how BMW has managed to get it to handle like it does. There’s no doubt that X6 is a superb piece of engineering, but this model won’t win any awards for frugality.

If we’re pushed for an opinion, we have to admit that we’ve grown quite fond of it, despite its brutish proportions and full-on ‘Chelsea tractor’ status. The V8 unit sounds spectacular, and its ability to shift the X6’s huge expanse of metal is staggering, but we’d recommend the diesel for much lower running costs.

It doesn’t end there though: the upcoming X6-M from BMW’s performance division is coming in a few months’ time, with an even more potent V10 under the bonnet. And yes, we can’t wait to drive it.

Specifications:

- Model: BMW X6 Xdrive50i - Price: £53,770 - Engine: 4,395cc V8 petrol
 - Power: 408bhp at 5,500rpm - Torque: 442lb-ft at 1,750-4,500rpm - Performance: 0-62mph 5.4 seconds, top speed 155mph (limited) - Fuel economy: 22.6mpg combined - CO2 emissions: 299g/km - On sale: Now