The first time I saw the BMW X6 in the flesh shortly after it was launched, on the way to Graskop in Mpumalanga, I did a double take - not because I was awestruck, but because somewhere in Germany there was a car designer who had somehow managed to convince his bosses that this brainstorm actually worked.
On closer inspection it definitely makes you sit up and take notice. The shape is pretty much unique and it certainly won’t be seen as a shrinking violet or blend in to the pack of other cars at a shopping mall.
The more I saw, the more I started to appreciate it for its uniqueness in a sea of appliances and everyday commuter cars. In general South Africans love their BMWs and I’m pretty much the same, having owned a 325i cabriolet that got me in more trouble than an errant schoolboy.
A PLEASURE TO DRIVE
That was many years ago but BMW still very much makes cars that are a pleasure to drive, and the big X6 sticks to the recipe. If you didn’t know any different, you’d be forgiven for thinking that you were behind the wheel of a petrol-driven derivative because the twin-turbo diesel in our test vehicle pushes out 225kW and at no stage did it feel as though there was any turbo lag or that you weren’t going to have enough power to attempt a passing manoeuvre.
We took a drive for lunch through to Hartebeespoort via the Hennops River Road, or rather the “look-for-the-tar” R511. It’s in an atrocious state but the X6 didn’t flinch once as we swerved to avoid the holes, and neither did the suspension waver along a road that, quite frankly, should have a health warning.
We drove past the Hennops 4x4 track and normally I would swing a left and go play, but despite the dynamic performance control and intelligent all-wheel xDrive, this car is almost exclusively made for tar and well-maintained dirt roads (the R511 is neither).
NO HESITATION
I’ve said it before, and the X6 simply confirms, that when it comes to smooth gearchanges and brilliant gearboxes, not much beats a BMW. It’s like being in a hi-tech, top-end lift that takes you to the top floor of a very tall building – there’s no hesitation.
It stands relatively tall on 19” rims and will pretty much fill the whole of a standard-sized garage in one of those fancy golf estates that require everything but a DNA test before they allow you in.
We fitted two adults and three kids comfortably. Three adults in the back could be a bit of a pinch over a distance but I’m assuming most drivers of the X6 have at least a second car standing at home.
The cabin has every possible thing you need for a really relaxing feel behind the wheel, and in the back the kids were enthralled by the screens that allowed free-to-air television, albeit a wonky signal while in motion.
There’s not much lacking in the X6.It sits solidly around the bends, handles corners without any fuss and would be a fantastic addition to the family.
Could it be true what they say about BMW drivers though?
The opinion among non-BMW drivers is that they are arrogant and mostly drive like plonkers. Perhaps many years ago when the first M series vehicles were launched, but I have seen enough on our roads to know that aggressive driving is far from being restricted to the blue and white propeller.
There is, however, a perception that because you’re in a BMW there’s a certain status that goes with it. This was the case when we took a drive around Kosmos Village at Hartebeespoort.
We moved over to allow a family that had loaded an old VW Fox to the brim with an assortment of household items, and that was towing a trailer, to pass.
And the retort: “Ja rykes, julle moet lekker ry” (yes, rich people, enjoy your drive).
If only you knew, my man, if only you knew… - Saturday Star
BMW X6 XDRIVE40D
Engine: Twin-turbo straight six, 225kW.
Fuel requirement: Low sulphur diesel. Always.
Fuel consumption: It has lots of lovely power to play with and you won’t be having to stop at every garage to fill the tank. In town you’re looking at nine litres per 100km, on the open road as little as 6.8 and an average figure of between 7.5 and 8 when you use it every day.
CO2 emissions:198 g/km (official data).