BMW’s twin-turbocharged six-cylinder diesel is an excellent device in all its other applications, and so it proves in the X6.
Its 282bhp, generated at 4400rpm, makes it quick enough; we saw 0-60mph in 7.1sec. But it’s the torque – some 428lb ft generated from just 1750rpm – that helps to make this engine, and a car as heavy as the X6, so driveable.
The 30-50mph sprint takes just 3.0sec, while 50-70mph is covered in only 4.1sec. It’s quite a feat to design an engine that’s not only as powerful as this but also emits just 220g/km of CO2.
But what it is not is frugal. The xDrive35d’s official combined consumption figure is 34mpg and the touring figure is closer to 40mpg, but we returned 30.5mpg on a touring route, with a less than impressive overall average of 26.4mpg.
Few other recent cars, apart from the Mitsubishi Evo X, have divided themselves so distinctly across ride and handling as the X6.
Let’s consider the X6’s ride first, because of the two disciplines this is considerably its weaker one. The X6 rides amazingly firmly for a vehicle with a 2275kg. Its urban ride is very unsettled, thumping and jiggling continually over scarred asphalt. Even at motorway speeds the X6 seldom feels calm except on the smoothest of new surfaces.
But there aren’t many tall, 4WD cars weighing as much as 2275kg that feel as agile as the X6; only the Porsche Cayenne GTS comes close. That’s partly because of the X6’s optional Active Steering, which increases assistance and speeds up the rack at low speeds, while reducing assistance and applied lock at higher speeds.
Our test vehicle also had Adaptive Drive fitted, whose hydraulically controlled anti-roll bars minimise body roll, to some effect; the X6 corners with a flatness and composure you’d scarcely credit. It also controls the dampers, allowing you to select between Normal and Sport, though neither setting is sufficiently comfortable.