When you see the BMW X6, your brain may scurry for a definition. "Tall Coupe"? "Big Hatchback?"
Both make sense, but according to six letters of the alphabet---BMW and EPA---this is actually an SUV.
We've been here before---on a smaller scale, two years ago, with the BMW X4 M Competition. This is the big brother X6 M Competition.
The body of the X6 M Competition is bigger than the X4 M Competition and so is its beating heart---a 4.4-liter twin turbo V8 with 48-volt mild hybrid technology. 617 horsepower, 553 lb-ft of torque. Zero to 60 3.7 seconds, which is about as quickly as you'll be deleted from the Sierra Club Christmas card list over its dismal EPA fuel economy estimate of 15 mpg combined city/highway.
Keeping all that brutish power in check are dynamic stability control, dynamic traction control, an M-tuned xDrive all-wheel-drive system, M Compound four-wheel ventilated anti-lock disc brakes, an adaptive M suspension with active roll stabilization, and an M Sport differential. Still, this is no luxury cruiser. Even at its most comfortable setting the ride verges on rough and the sensation is that you have a beast on a leash---for now.
It rides on a combination of 21 and 22-inch wheels, adding to the overall high profile, and the M Sport exhaust system makes a glorious noise as it lays waste to whatever credit card you use at the gas pump.
Of course, none of this comes cheap. The base price of the 2024 BMW X6 M Competition is $128,195 including destination. Standard at that price are all the performance pieces discussed above, as well as active park distance control, surround view with 3D view, remote engine start, M Shadlowline lights, comfort access keyless entry, M seat belts, heated front seats, armrests and steering wheel, multi-function seats with lumbar adjustment, carbon fiber trim, four-zone climate control, active driving assistant, parking assistant professional, full LED lights with cornering lamps, wireless device charging, a 5G hotspot, Live Cockpit Pro, gesture control, a one-year SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 360L subscription, extended Shadowline trim, an anthracite Alcantara headliner and (BMW still needs to make this sound generous by including it as standard) refrigerant.
It being BMW, there are extra-cost options on board, as well---the Velvet Blue Metallic paint is $5,000, the Taruma Brown full leather interior is $3,500. The Executive Package (heated and cooled cupholders, front and rear heated seats and front massaging seats) adds $3,100 to the tab.
Then there are the M Compound brakes with red calipers ($650), a tremendous Bowers & Wilkins sound system ($3,400), and the M Driver's Package, which boosts top speed from 155 mph to 170 (disabling a limiter), and a voucher for race track training ($2,500).
Bottom line on the window sticker---$146,345.
As I said about the X4 M Competition two years ago, there are buyers for it. Enough that BMW will sell every one they make to people for whom performance outweighs practicality and for whom the numbers on the speedometer matter more than the numbers on the price sticker.
