New BMW X6 M50d review, test drive

The new X6 M50d just has to be one of the most charismatic performance SUVs around. Shapur Kotwal tells you why.

Published on Jul 22, 2015 06:00:00 AM

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If the road below is broken or full of ruts, you might hear the suspension, and the odd large bump does upset the composure of the car on its huge 19-inch wheels. So ride is unlikely to be a strength of this car when it comes to India. That said, the ride of the new X6 is better than that of the earlier car by a considerable margin; the latter thumped and bumped over even mildly undulating roads.

The M Sport suspension and dynamic pack, while not too effective for ride, is a near revolution when it comes to handling. BMW had also organised both road and track time, but how would the X6 with its massive mass and momentum handle the tight twists and turns?

Really well, actually. I found the body roll so well contained, it felt quite freaky, and there’s just no sense of excessive mass when you drive into a corner. Drive the new X6 harder and that slight understeer dialed in also dissolves into a nice neutral balance. Go harder still and now you are truely into the realm of fantasy. You expect the X6 to wash out, to loose grip and composure. But no, the more you gas it, the more it obediently points into a set of corners. Move up to Sport+, where the ESP is partially switched off, and the balance becomes even sweeter. Slip at the rear happens even more smoothly, the X6 feels even more at ease through a section of corners. Even the torque vectoring and 60 percent rear-biased split of the rear axle work brilliantly. While the steering isn’t communicative and feels a bit wooden, it soon becomes clear — this is possibly the best-handling SUV in the world.

BMW will get the new X6 M50d to India sometime in mid 2015. Less extreme versions will follow later, but BMW seems to want to put its best foot forward first with this car. Sure, the BMW X6 M50d is a bit of an enigma, but there’s no denying it is now more comfortable and practical, fantastic to drive and blessed with what is surely the most charismatic diesel engine around. It won’t be cheap at an expected price of Rs 1.3 crore, but what you will get is one of the most unique and accomplished cars around. Yes, people will still question its existence and what it stands for, but if you like BMW’s sporty take on cars, and you like big SUVs, chances are you’ll absolutely love this one. Make sure you drive it before you choose your fast luxury SUV.