2009 BMW X6: Details, Pictures and Video

The BMW X6, first seen in preproduction "concept" form in September at the Frankfurt motor show, will make its world production debut in January at the 2008 Detroit auto show, with sales beginning in the second quarter of the year. The German premium carmaker hopes to create a new market segment with the X6, a vehicle its calls a "sports activity coupe.”

These are the first official pictures of BMW’s production version of the X6 four-wheel drive coupe.

Like the X5, the X6 will be sold with the diesel overseas.

The X6 will come in two variants. The xDrive35i is powered by the now familiar 300-horse, 3.0-liter twin turbo inline-six. But the big stuff what's under the xDrive50i's hood -- a new to the BMW lineup 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8.

Both engine variants are mated to a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters, and as the names imply, come standard with BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system that sends 40 percent of the power to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear under normal driving conditions.

Based on the X5’s platform, the X6 shares its wheelbase but it’s longer, by 23mm at 4877mm, and wider, by 50mm at 1983mm. The sloping roof and a lower ride height make it 86mm lower than the X5, at 1690mm.

Despite the X6’s large frontal area and obvious bulk, BMW claims a drag co-efficient of 0.33 – better than a Smart Fortwo - thanks to tricks such as flaps behind the grille that only open when the engine requires additional cooling.

Inside the design and trims draw heavily on the X5. Front seat height is put at a 944mm, with individual rear seats for two passengers. Boot capacity is put at nominal 570-liters – 70-liters less than the X5, rising to 1450mm with the split fold rear seat lowered.

The X6 aims to dislodge the Porsche Cayenne as the best-handling SUV. Building on the X5’s accomplished chassis, it comes with BMW’s new torque vectoring unit that allows drive to be varied between the front and rear axles dependent upon traction, and between the left and right wheels greater agility, improved traction and less steering effort.

The X6 will be built at BMW's Spartanburg, South Carolina assembly plant alongside the X5 and X3.