BMW X6 XDrive 50i

Under the skin, the X6 is powered by the same direct-injection, 4.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 that powers the 750Li. It is hardly short of grunt with 407bhp and a huge 61kgm of torque from 1750rpm. It drives BMW’s excellent six-speed auto, which has the ability to ‘lock-up’ and behave more like a manual transmission, eliminating the characteristic slushy feel of a  conventional auto ’box. Sending power to all four wheels via BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the X6 also debuts BMW’s new rear differential — the Dynamic Performance Control. It makes a huge difference to the character of the car, but more on that later.

Central to the X6’s appeal is the engine. With a diesel-like bottom-end torque that feels more locomotive than automobile, the engine is never short on grunt. The tremendous thrust that this engine musters so instantaneously is so addictive that you have to make a conscious effort to stay at prudent speeds. 0-100kph is dispatched in a scarcely believable six seconds flat and it will cross 200kph in under 25 seconds.

Keep your foot down and it will close in on its 250kph (limited) top speed with the ferocity of a Great White Shark, all the while covering ground at an incredible pace. The gearbox is quick and very obedient, downshifting almost every time we asked it to. The X6’s party trick is its exhaust system. In the 750Li this engine has to be restrained, but in the sporty X6 it can afford to be more vocal. It idles with a distant hint of an American V8, sounds like a hairy-chested gorilla at part-throttle, and hones in on a refined howl as it closes in on 6700rpm. It’s never ‘public-nuisance’ loud, but its vocal range makes driving through tunnels a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Part of the reason you enjoy the engine’s soundtrack is because the cabin is well insulated from unwanted noise.As expected, fuel efficiency is dismal. With a high kerb weight and a huge engine, this car feels like it can empty a petrol pump if you drive by too fast. For the record, we got 3.3kpl in the city and 5.1kpl on the highway. So, despite the 85-litre fuel tank, you’ll be visiting fuel pumps quite often too. You can take consolation in the fact that the fuel is getting used to provide some serious fun.