With the weather all cleared up, BMW is back at the Nürburgring testing the second generation of its mega-powered X6M, or to be precise, our man in Germany filmed not one, but two prototypes of the sporty-looking and -going crossover, one of which was briefly harassed by a Porsche Panamera.
The new X6M incorporates the forthcoming 2015 X6’s sharpened up looks that retain the current model’s coupe-ish profile and slender roofline adding a host of “M” specific styling cues ranging from the wheel arch extensions to accommodate the wider tracks and tires, to the quad-exit exhaust system and the subtle spoiler package.
It rides on a lighter X5-derived platform, which along with other measures like the use of more aluminum in the body and possibly, composite materials, should help reduce the weight to less than 2,300 kg (5,070 lbs), compared to 2,380 kg (5,247 lbs) for the current model.
The new car is thought to employ a retuned version of BMW’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 returning more than the 555PS (547hp) and 680Nm (501 lb-ft) of the old car that reaches 100km/h (62mph) in 4.7 seconds and has a limited top speed of 155mph (250km/h).
Naturally, a rearward-bias all-wheel drive system will come as standard, but we don’t know yet if BMW will replace the current model’s 6-speed automatic with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission or an 8-speed automatic.
In a recently leaked dealer paper, it was mentioned that the X6M will enter production in January of 2015. One of the main rivals of the car will be the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz MLC 63 AMG.
By John Halas
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