With the X6, BMW tried to redefine the notion of a coupe in 2008 - with five doors and four sculpted seats, a higher ride and loads of cargo space - calling it a Sport Activity Coupe.

For 2009 the BMW X6 receives a couple of equipment and package enhancements. The Premium Package now features an automatic tailgate. Newly added as a stand alone option is the Leather Wrapped Dashboard, which is also now included with the Nappa Leather option. Heated Rear Seats are now included with the Cold Weather Package and the Space Saving Spare is now a stand alone option only. The Gray Band Winshield and Self Leveling Suspension have been deleted on the X6 xDrive50i model.

The 2009 BMW X6 is available in its two previous engine variants: the xDrive50i (4.4 V8 engine, 400 hp, 450lb.-ft torque), which starts at $66,200; and the xDrive35i (3.0 inline six-cylinder engine, 300 hp, 300 lb.-ft torque), starting at $55,500, both with Twin Turbo and direct injection.

The BMW X6 employs BMW’s intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive technology with electronic control to vary the distribution of drive power between the front and rear axles, instantaneously adjusting to driving conditions. However, the X6 takes xDrive a step further with the introduction of Dynamic Performance Control. Featured for the first time on the BMW X6, Dynamic Performance Control ensures variable distribution of drive forces between the two rear wheels. Dynamic Performance Control incorporates an advanced computer control and an innovative rear differential incorporating two planetary gearsets and two clutch packs that enable the system to multiply torque on an individual rear wheel. The result is that Dynamic Performance Control can help steer the vehicle by directing torque to either of the rear wheels. In fast corners with abrupt steering maneuvers or with the driver suddenly releasing the gas pedal, Dynamic Performance Control serves to improve the stability of the entire vehicle.

Exterior

Various design features typical of BMW also stand out in the X6's details, ranging from the BMW kidney grille to the dual round headlights optically “cut off” at the top and the powerful contour line along the side, all the way to the horizontal lines at the rear emphasizing the sheer width of the vehicle.

Large air intakes are positioned far to the outside, interacting with the side panels extending far to the inside over the headlights. The air scoops provide clear orientation towards the wheels, emphasizing the powerful stance of the vehicle on the road. The headlights themselves merge in a dynamic sweeping line into the side panels, the surface of the engine compartment lid is divided by striking lines tapering out towards the BMW kidney grille like the borderlines of the engine compartment lid at the sides. The high waistline and contoured wheel arches both front and rear move the visual center of gravity to the middle. The side panel is split by two lines with striking contours, moving slowly towards one another at the front end of the vehicle to create a wedge-like impression.

The entire rear end is subdivided by horizontal lines giving the rear end a wider look and emphasizing the powerful stance and road-holding of the entire vehicle. The greenhouse with its strikingly low rear window, in turn, tapers out smoothly towards the rear, with the rear lid featuring a distinct air flow lip.

Interior

Like all BMW X models, the new BMW X6 offers the occupants of all four seats an elevated, commanding seating position.

The X6 is the BMW's only SUV to feature a sports steering wheel with gearshift paddles as standard, which enable the driver to shift gears manually on the six-speed automatic transmission for enhanced smoothness and response at all times. Furthermore, multifunction buttons on the steering wheel operate the telephone and audio systems quickly, smoothly and without the slightest distraction, while two additional buttons may be programmed individually according to the driver’s personal preferences.

In addition to front and side airbags, the BMW X6 features curtain-type Head Protection System airbags at the side. Additional features include: three-point inertia-reel belts on each seat, belt force limiters together with belt pretensioner on the front seats; crash-activated headrests to prevent cervical spine injury in the event of a collision from behind, also come standard on the front seats.

Powertrain

The BMW X6 is powered by a base 3.0-liter zwin-turbo 6-cylinder engine on the xDrive35i. A 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 is with the xDrive50i.

The base BMW X6 xDrive35i boasts 3.0-liter twin-turbo, inline-six cylinder engine with a maximum output of 300 hp at 5,800 - 6,250 rpm, with a maximum torque of 300 lb-ft provided all the way from 1,400 - 5,000 rpm. This engine offers a combination of Twin Turbo technology and High Precision Injection. The engine uses two exhaust turbochargers each supplying compressed air to three cylinders. The small mass inertia of the relatively compact turbochargers optimizes response to a significantly higher degree on this engine, building up charge pressure without the slightest delay from low engine speeds.

Displacing 4.4 liters, the new V8 engine with Twin Turbo technology and direct gasoline injection (High Precision Injection) develops its maximum output of 400 hp throughout a broad range of engine speed from 5,500 - 6,400 rpm. Engine torque reaches its peak of 450 lb-ft from 1,750 to 4,500 rpm. The cooling effect of direct fuel injection allows for a very high compression ratio of 10.0:1 - which is quite unusual on a turbocharged engine. The position of the turbochargers and catalytic converters in the V-section between the two rows of cylinders is allows compact engine dimensions and requires a new configuration of the intake and exhaust ducts. This means shorter intake and exhaust manifolds and larger cross-sections significantly reducing pressure losses on both the intake and exhaust side.

The all-round efficiency of the BMW X6 is further optimized by on-demand control and activation of the engine’s ancillary units helping to significantly reduce the power required for the fuel and steering assistance pumps. For example, the drive belt for the a/c compressor comes with an independent clutch automatically disconnecting the compressor as soon as the driver switches off the air-conditioning and thus reducing the drag forces generated by the compressor to a minimum.

Power is transmitted on the BMW X6 by a six-speed automatic transmission.

Integrated Chassis Management

The BMW X6 utilizes a double wishbone control arm front axle and BMW’s patented Integral IV multi-link axle at the rear. The wheel mounts, rear axle sub frame and four track arms efficiently take up the dynamic and drive forces flowing into the suspension, reducing any elastic distortion of the wheel mounts, while soft swinging mounts provide appropriate longitudinal suspension and optimize the roll quality of the wheels. Effectively separating the road surface from the drivetrain, finally, the rear axle helps to ensure first-class noise control and ride comfort.

Permanent all-wheel drive with electronically controlled, variable distribution of drive power between the front and rear axles is standard on all BMW X6 models. BMW xDrive distributes drive power front to rear by way of an electronically controlled multiple-plate clutch according to driving conditions. In normal driving situations BMW xDrive apportions drive power in a 40:60 split front-to-rear, with sensors consistently measuring wheel slip. The system is able to vary the distribution of drive forces within a fraction of a second.

The BMW X6's drivetrain and suspension systems interact with BMW’s Integrated Chassis Management.

Even under a sudden change in driving conditions for example, on varying surfaces, in panic steering maneuvers, when accelerating or applying the brake abruptly, ICM adjusts xDrive, DSC, and Dynamic Performance Control, and the optional Active Steering when fitted. Depending on driving conditions and with fully variable management, the power of the engine is no longer split between the front and rear axle and also - through Dynamic Performance Control - between the left and right rear wheel, feeding additional power to the most appropriate point where it can be conveyed best to the road.

Dynamic Performance Control enhances the handling and overall control of the BMW X6 in sudden steering maneuvers and particularly at high speeds in corners. If the vehicle begins to understeer or push to the outside of a corner BMW xDrive and Dynamic Performance Control will dynamically shift torque to the outside rear wheel in order to counteract the understeer. On the other hand, if the vehicle threatens to oversteer, xDrive reduces the transmission of power to the rear wheels then the Dynamic Performance Control transfers torque and drive forces from the outer rear wheel and diverts these forces to the inner rear wheel.

As a result, Dynamic Stability Control is only required to cut in by applying the brakes electively on the appropriate wheel or wheels when the vehicle really reaches the extreme limits of driving physics. DSC in the new BMW X6 offers a wide range of additional functions serving to promote safe and dynamic motoring including: ABS anti-lock brakes; Automatic Stability Control; Trailer Stability Control; Hill Descent Control; Cornering Brake Control and Dynamic Brake Control, automatically maximizing brake pressure when required in the interest of minimum stopping distances. The DSC system in the BMW X6 has the ability to serve as an electronic limited slip differential for improved acceleration. Brake Fade Compensation can increase brake pressure under extremely high brake temperatures to maintain consistant brake forces. Brake Drying, in turn, optimizes brake performance in wet conditions by periodically lightly applying the brakes to dry the rotors, while the Start-Off Assistant prevents roll-back on an uphill gradient. Reflecting the high standard of driving dynamics offered by the BMW X6, DSC also comes with Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) as a special function, raising the DSC response thresholds to a higher level, allowing a particularly sporting and active style of motoring, and enabling the driver to set off smoothly on snow or in loose sand with the drive wheels intentionally spinning slightly.

The BMW X6 is also available with Active Steering as an option. This system, developed by BMW, tries to provide exactly the right steering ratio at all speeds. At low speeds, such as when parking, the driver only has to turn the steering-wheel twice from lock to lock. At higher speeds, Active Steering offers a more indirect transmission ratio in the interest of steady directional stability and, as a result, enhanced driving comfort and stability.

The BMW X6 comes as standard with 19-inch light-alloy wheels. Also featured as standard are run-flat tires, which enable continued driving even after a complete loss of pressure in the tires. Furthermore, the Tire Pressure Monitor system constantly monitors air pressure and warns the driver as soon as the air pressure in the tires drops more than 30 percent below the ideal level.