The latest version of BMW’s X6 performance SUV-coupé has been spotted testing, and it gets the M5’s 4.4-litre V8 from which it generates 608hp. It will be the range-topper of the third-generation X6, which is expected to make its debut at the Shanghai motor show in April 2019.
Production will continue at BMW’s Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, US, where prototypes are already being built for testing. A regular X6 prototype was also spotted on the same outing as the pictured X6 M.
The X6 range will kick off with the xDrive30d and xDrive40d variants, although a greater petrol-powered offering is expected. The xDrive40i, 50i and 45e versions will make up the rest of the range, with the notable addition of the plug-in hybrid.
M Performance M50d and M50i variants are also planned as BMW proliferates its M sub-brand, although the M50i petrol might not be offered in Europe, as it's geared towards the US market.
The M50d will be powered by a quad-turbo 3.0-litre, six-cylinder diesel engine producing more than 405.5hp.
All engines will be shared with the mechanically similar new X5. Like the X5, the new X6 will be based on BMW’s CLAR platform, with double-wishbone front suspension and five-link rear suspension; air suspension will be optional.
Compared with the previous X6, the roofline will be less coupé-like than before, with a more steeply angled tailgate. At the front, the car will follow the lead of the X5 in adopting the mono-kidney grille. The overall design draws heavily on that of the smaller X4 SUV-coupé, though.
Inside, the new X6 will be almost identical to the X5, and will feature BMW’s new seventh-generation iDrive infotainment system.
The X5 and new Mercedes-Benz GLE, both made their first appearances at the Paris motor show earlier this week, meaning timings for the X6 and its most direct rival, the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé, are likely to be very similar.
The GLE Coupé will get AMG 53 and 63 variants that are expected to closely match the M-tuned X6 models for performance.
The current-gen BMW X6 was on sale in India with a 575hp, 4.4-litre V8 motor, and was priced at Rs 2.07 crore (on-road, Mumbai).