Tinashe Makichi Motoring Reporter 
It’s that time of the year again! It’s that time to be merry or to see others being merry (whichever is higher). Well, the festive season can be interpreted in so many ways depending on the situation. For this writer, the season is mostly the time to spot the Diaspora top of the range cars from the people who would have returned home for the holidays. I am quite sure that BMW X6 second generation will be among the cars to grace the local motoring scene.

When the outgoing BMW X6 came into the mix last year it brought waves of excitement amongst car fanatics and I vividly remember seeing a lot of people watching it with a glare when it reached the Zimbabwean market.

I have since seen politician Mayor Wadyajena driving the outgoing version with the number plate “MAYOR” and from then I began to have a soft spot towards the car.

The comfort that comes with the car is just exhilarating and the German based car maker has already included another champion in the portfolio in the form of a BMX X6 second generation.

The second generation of the BMW X6 has already been introduced in countries like Australia with prices pegged at around $115,400 .

This new model represents what BMW calls a sports activity vehicle, thanks to the car’s couple-like profile and sporty on-road dynamics.

It’s a Sports Activity Coupé and that is one term that made little sense when BMW first launched the original X6 in 2008. But clearly my opinion doesn’t count; given the success BMW has had with it.

BMW said the timing of this second generation is crucial for the, as it arrives before the competition’s ML Coupé from Mercedes Benz.

The new X6 looks very similar to the old one as it maintains a similar stance, proportions and overall look. But by looking closer there are definite changes which includes a more muscular and chiselled hood, a more flamboyant X-shaped bumper with smart air inlets, sharper sculpting on the sides, and very flamboyant tail lights.

The kicker of the car remains roof-line but the most painful truth is that it is not targeted for the low income earners but for executives anyway.

So after conferring that level of respect to the vehicle I can safely say that the new X6 is a smarter, more attractive and more agile looking car when compared to its predecessor. Inside too, the design is bold, and smart.

The vehicle maintains its command seating position for the driver, and the dash is better sculpted. The company is offering a choice of three diesel variants and two petrols.

In India you will get the 4,4 litre, 445 bhp V8 xDrive50i which is the range-topping petrol, the 254 bhp xDrive30d, the entry diesel, and its M Performance avatar – the M 50d.

Yes both the diesels mentioned here use the same 3 litre block, but the M performance treatment means you get a trio-turbo unit that makes a massive 381 horsepower.

With all that power, BMW still claims mileage of 15 km per litre.

The first impression you get from the new X6 is that it is very well suited to the new BMW Driving Dynamics Control system which means you can go from Eco to Comfort to Sport and Sport Plus modes.

So you can basically go from a smoother shifting, lighter steering feel car, to a slighter suspension, more responsive beast.

The guys at BMW are pressed to tell us this is one of those rare SUVs that have a combination of being a mild off roader and a sports car all in once.

The car maintains its X5 like driving character, but does take things top a notch when negotiating tight turns and holds a decent racing line and the reason for this is the torque vectoring at the rear axle.

The BMW X6 second generation’s DriveM50d has a potent 381 bhp engine and there is a generous amount of torque.

So all the torque is distributed to different wheels, the outer rear wheel on a sharp banking turn for instance, so that it doesn’t skid or lose control.

The advantages of using the car are many safeties being the highest one I suppose.

BMW says it has worked hard on making the car stiffer, and yet the new rear anti roll bar disengages when on a bunny road so ad to not transfer the ride to the other axle. Pretty neat and very effective.

On the off road track BMW said they got to see some minor wading skills, and hill climbing, hill-hold and hill descent control systems at work.

The addition of a new grille-mounted front camera means you can see where you are going even on a steep incline, where the diver usually sees nothing but blue sky out the front windscreen.

BMW has paid attention to comfort overall, and despite the compromised cabin space due to the lower roof-line, the new X6 is more comfortable now.

The seating at the rear is nicer, and the front too has thoughtful elements like a driver and passenger knee pad in the central console.

It’s a five seater, unlike the earlier car which was a four seat version.

Yes the new X6 won’t be cheap! It gets to us in the middle of 2015, and will be available in different engines that i mentioned above.

BMW will get busy shipping these to its buyers which will be primarily the US and Chinese market and not to get Southern Africa.

The company has decided to invest an additional billion dollars to expand capacity by five percent to 450,000 units annual production by 2016.

BMW’s production plant currently produces the X3 and X4 in Hall 52, and the X5 and X6 in Hall 50.

The new construction will not just take into account the greater demand for the existing vehicles, but also the X7 full size 7 seater SUV that will arrive in 2016 as well.

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