Review: BMW G06 X6 (2019-on)

Overview

Commencing production in September 2019, the BMW G06 X6 is a large SUV with a coupe-like profile. Manufactured at BMW’s Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, the BMW G06 X6 range will initially consist of xDrive40i, M50i xDrive, xDrive30d and M50d xDrive variants (see table below).

To reduce fuel consumption, all variants have:

• An ‘Auto Start Stop’ function which can shut down the engine when the vehicle is stationary in traffic;
• An ‘Eco Pro’ mode which adjusts engine management, throttle response and transmission behaviour to minimise fuel consumption. Eco Pro also includes a coasting function that can disengage the engine from the powertrain when the driver eases off the accelerator (to prevent engine braking); and,
• ‘Brake Energy Regeneration’ which regulates alternator output to recharge the battery when the vehicle is coasting or braking.

Unusually, the 3.0-litre diesel engine for the BMW X6 M50d has two low-pressure turbochargers and two high-pressure turbochargers (the latter with variable inlet geometry). In normal driving situations, both low-pressure turbochargers and one of the two high-pressure turbochargers are active. The second high-pressure turbocharger, however, only engages once engine speed exceeds 2500 rpm. Under hard acceleration from idle, however, flaps are actuated so that the two low-pressure turbochargers are bypassed.

xDrive four-wheel drive system

AustralianCar.Reviews understands that the all-wheel drive system for the BMW G06 X6 has an electronically controlled, multi-plate clutch in the transfer case. The ‘xDrive’ all-wheel drive system is able to vary drive torque between the front and rear wheels and, when all-wheel drive is not required, all the engine’s torque is directed to the rear wheels. Furthermore, when the driver adopts ‘a particularly dynamic style at the wheel’, the xDrive system provides a rear-biased torque distribution.

For the ‘M Sport’ equipment line and the Off-road package, the BMW G06 X6 is equipped with an electronically controlled rear differential lock. Controlled by the electronic stability control system (BMW’s ‘DSC’), the locking function for the rear differential can prevent a wheel from spinning in low-traction situations, thereby improving traction and power transmission when driving on loose ground or surfaces with variable grip levels. This locking effect is achieved by an electric motor and allows up to 1500 Nm of drive torque to be redirected from the faster-turning (i.e. low traction) wheel to the slower-turning wheel.

Body and dimensions

Compared to the BMW F16 X6 , the G06 X6 is 26 mm longer (at 4935 mm), 15 mm wider (2004 mm), 6 mm lower (1696 mm) and has a 42 mm longer wheelbase (2975 mm). While the X6 xDrive30d and xDrive40i have drag co-efficients of 0.32 Cd, the M50i and M50d have drag co-efficients of 0.34 Cd and 0.36 Cd, respectively.

Luggage capacity for the BMW G06 X6 is 580 litres, though this increases to 1530 litres when the rear seats are folded down and luggage is filled to the roofline.

Suspension

The BMW G06 X6 has aluminium double wishbone front suspension and a steel five-link rear axle. For Australia, the G06 X6 is expected to be fitted with BMW’s ‘Dynamic Damper Control’ which consists of electronically controlled dampers that enable the driver to select from two performance maps via the ‘Driving Experience Control’ switch. For greater ‘agility and steering precision’, the BMW X6 M50d has model-specific kinematics and elastokinematics for the wheel suspension, and unique spring and damper tuning.

Expected to be fitted as standard for the BMW X6 M50d and M50i, BMW’s ‘Adaptive M suspension Professional’ includes active roll stabilisation and Integral Active Steering (the latter is explained under ‘Steering’, below). For active roll stabilisation, the anti-roll bars at the front and rear axles are split and each one is connected in the centre by an electric swivel motor. Actuation of the swivel motor causes the two links on the anti-roll bar to twist and counteract forces causing the roll tendency.

As an option, the BMW G06 X6 will be available with two-axle air suspension which includes automatic self-levelling. For this system, the suspension’s air supply is controlled individually for each wheel using an electrically-driven compressor with a pressure reservoir. When ‘Sport’ mode is engaged or vehicle speed exceeded 138 km/h, ride height is lowered by 20 mm. A button in the luggage compartment can also engage a ‘loading mode’ that lowers the vehicle a further 20 mm. Ground clearance, however, can be raised in two stages to a maximum of 40 mm above the standard setting (for a maximum clearance of 256 mm).

All BMW G06 X6 variants other than the X6 M50d and M50i can be specified with an ‘Off-Road package’ which includes front and rear underguard elements, two-axle air suspension and an electronically controlled rear differential lock. The Off-Road package also adds unique graphics to the instrument cluster and Control Display, and an extra button on the centre console for selecting the four driving modes.

Steering

The BMW G06 X6 has rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance; the G06 X6’s turning circle is 12.6 metres, while the overall steering ratio is 18.7:1. Expected to be fitted as standard for the BMW X6 M50d and M50i, BMW’s ‘Integral Active Steering’ provides rear wheel steering. At parking speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels to reduce the turning radius. At higher speeds, however, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels for greater stability.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the BMW G06 X6 includes dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and second row seats), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.

Australian-delivered BMW G06 X6 vehicles are expected to be equipped with the following safety technologies as standard:

• Forward Collision Warning and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking: operating at speeds between 10 and 60 km/h, the system warns the driver if a pedestrian or stationary vehicle is detected in the BMW X6’s path. If the driver fails to react, the system automatically applies the brakes to prevent or minimise the severity of a collision;
• Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function: at speeds from 30 km/h to 210 km/h, Active Cruise Control can maintain a speed-dependent distance from the vehicle ahead. With the Stop&Go function, the brakes can be applied to bring the G06 X6 to rest; once the traffic ahead begins to accelerate, the BMW X6 automatically accelerate if the vehicle has been stationary for less than 30 seconds;
• Lane Keeping Assistant: helps the driver pre-empt hazards by automatically applying corrective steering in three types of situation: 1) if the system detects that the vehicle is about to leave the road, 2) if the driver is about to change lanes and has not seen a vehicle in the next lane or 3) if danger is detected due to an approaching vehicle (see ‘Side Collision Warning’, below). Furthermore, holding the direction indicator could initiate a lane change;
  • Lane Departure Warning: active at speeds above 72 km/h, the driver is alerted by steering wheel vibrations if the vehicle deviates from its lane without prior activation of the indicators and active steering inputs bring the vehicle back to its intended lane;
  • Lane Change Warning: active at speeds above 10 km/h, Lane Change Warning monitors the zones to each side of the vehicle. If the driver activates the indicators to change lanes, the system checks these zones and – if occupied – warns the driver via steering wheel vibrations and flashing a symbol in the applicable door mirror;
• Side Collision Warning: operating at speeds between 30 km/h and 210 km/h, Side Collision Warning alerts the driver via a visual signal or steering wheel vibration if another vehicle is ‘encroaching’ from the side. If the system detects sufficient room on the other side of the vehicle, it correctively steers the vehicle in this direction to avoid the danger. The corrective steering assistance, however, could be over-ridden by the driver at any time;
• Steering and lane control assistant: operating at speeds up to 210 km/h, the steering and lane control assistant provides ‘comfort-enhancing steering interventions’ to keep the vehicle in its current lane (even where road markings are unclear). In stop-start traffic, the system also uses the preceding vehicle as a reference point;
• Evasion Assistant: operating at speeds up to 160 km/h, the Evasion Assistant helps avoid collisions with vehicles or pedestrians that suddenly appear in the driver’s path by providing steering inputs that assist the driver to direct the vehicle into a clear adjacent lane;
• Crossing traffic warning front: uses radar sensors to check for approaching traffic at junctions with poor or impeded visibility;
• Crossing-traffic warning rear: when reversing out of a parking space, ‘Crossing-traffic warning rear’ warns the driver of approaching traffic that may intersect the driver’s intended path;
  Crossroads warning: provides visual and audible warnings in priority situations (i.e. where vehicles on another road had right of way) and at stop signs. At speeds up to 84 km/h, the steering wheel also vibrates to alert the driver;
• Rear Collision warning: if a rear-end collision is anticipated, following traffic would be warned by double frequency flashing of the hazard lights;
• Active Protection: if a collision risk is detected, including from preceding vehicles or stationary objects, Active Protection activates the front seatbelt tensioners and closes the windows (and sunroof, where fitted). After a collision, Active Protection automatically applies the brakes to bring the vehicle to rest, thereby reducing the likelihood and potential severity of a secondary collision;
• Attentiveness Assistant: monitors driver behaviour for signs of fatigue and, if detected, provides visual and audible warning; and,
• Speed Limit Info: incorporated speed restrictions into the driver-selectable Speed Limiter function or Active Cruise Control.

Features: BMW G06 X6 xDrive30d and xDrive40i

For Australia, the BMW G06 X6 is expected to be equipped with BMW’s ‘Live Cockpit Professional’ which consisted of a 12.3-inch (1920 x 1080) high-resolution instrument cluster display, another 12.3-inch ‘Control Display’, a navigation system, a hard-drive based multimedia system with 20 GB of memory, a ‘HiFi’ audio system with ten speakers and a 205 watt digital amplifier, digital radio tuner (DAB+), two front USB ports (type A and type C), two rear USB ports (type C), Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, voice control and WiFi interfaces.

Beyond this, standard features for the BMW G06 X6 xDrive30d and xDrive40i are expected to include ‘Vernsaca’ leather upholstery, power adjustable and heated front seats with driver’s seat memory function, 2.5-zone climate control air conditioning, adaptive LED headlights, front LED fog lights, rear fog lights, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors (BMW’s ‘Park Distance Control’), a head-up display, a 40:20:40 split rear seat backrest, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking with proximity key (BMW’s ‘Comfort Access’), power adjustable and heated mirrors with folding function, power windows, tilt/telescopic steering wheel adjustment, electrochromatic door mirrors and interior rear view mirror, a panoramic glass sunroof, roof rails, a power-operated split tailgate with contactless operation, an electric park brake, push-button start, ambient interior lighting, 12 volt power sockets, velour floor mats, tyre pressure monitoring and an immobiliser.

The BMW G06 X6 is also equipped with –

• BMW’s ‘Parking Assistant’: uses ultrasonic sensors to detect parking spaces and controlled acceleration, braking, steering and gear changes to manoeuvre the vehicle into the space;
• BMW’s ‘Parking Assistant Plus’: includes a rear-view camera, Top View, Panorama and 3D View functions to create a 360-degree image of the vehicle and its surroundings in the Control Display. The Remote 3D View feature can be used to access a three-dimensional live image of their vehicle and surroundings on a smartphone; and,
• BMW’s ‘Reversing Assistant’: when exiting a parking space or manoeuvring in a confined area, the Reversing Assistant can control steering to reverse the vehicle along a path which it has recently travelled forwards up to a distance of 50 metres. The Reversing Assistant is activated by pressing a button when the vehicle is stationary and the gear selector is in the ‘P’ position.

Features: BMW G06 X6 M50d and M50i

Compared to the BMW X6 xDrive30d and xDrive40i, the X6 M50d and M50i are expected to be further equipped with a harman kardon surround system which has sixteen (16) speaker and a 464 watt digital amplifier, heated front seats, four-zone climate control air conditioning, heated and cooled cup holders in the front centre console, an M leather steering wheel, a leather instrument panel, anthracite-coloured headliner, ‘Aluminium Tetragon’ interior trim finishers and an automatic soft-close function for the doors.

Related links

• BMW Press: the all-new BMW X6 (June 2019)