New BMW X6: Australian prices and specs

Australian pricing and specifications have been announced for the third-generation BMW X6 revealed in July, ahead of its world debut at the Frankfurt motor show next month and its Australian release soon after in the fourth quarter of this year.

Apart from the same upgraded 3500kg towing capacity as recently announced for the new BMW X5 -- making the X5, X6 and X7 as capable at the boat ramp, RV park or equestrian centre as a 200 Series Toyota LandCruiser – biggest news is a relatively small $4000 price premium over the equivalent X5 variant on which the new BMW X6 is based (down from $10,000 or more with the outgoing model).

Available to order now are three all-wheel drive variants of the 2020 BMW X6: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel, and 4.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V8.

Opening the new BMW X6 line-up is the xDrive30d at $121,900 plus on-road costs (up from $119,900), while the mid-range xDrive40i is priced at $124,900 plus ORCs and the M50i top the large coupe-crossover family at $155,900 plus ORCs.

That means there’s no four-cylinder engine, as in the new sub-$100,000 BMW X5 xDrive 25d announced last week, and no replacement for the X6 M50d.

BMW Australia says it will not introduce the new quad-turbo diesel-powered X6 M50d, which is already on sale in Europe, due to lack of demand locally. However, it blames a global production shortage for the temporary discontinuation of both the X5 M50d and X7 M50d in Australia, where M50d models account for 16 per cent of X5 sales 12 per cent of of X7 sales. So far this year the M50d represents just three per cent of the outgoing X6 sales.

“We won’t be introducing the X6 M50d as part of a range simplification in response to customer preference," said BMW Australia spokesman Nick Raman. "We continue to provide a wide choice of capable engine variants for our customers and we are also taking the most powerful model available, the X6 M50i, for the performance-loving Australian market.”

A new BMW X6 M is yet to appear and plug-in hybrid version is also expected.

In Australia, all new BMW X6 models will be fitted with an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, xDrive all-wheel drive and an M Sport Package including M Sport Brakes.

Standard features for both the six-cylinder BMW X6 xDrive30d and xDrive 40i include the following:

20-inch bi-colour star-spoke M alloy wheels
Leather ‘Vernasca’ upholstery
Travel & Comfort system
Aluminium interior trim finish
Ambient lighting
Panorama glass sunroof
Driving Assistant Professional
Parking Assistant Plus
Surround View Camera and Reversing Assistant
Live Cockpit Professional
Head-Up Display
HiFi Loudspeaker system
Adaptive M Suspension
Comfort Access
Digital Key
Powered tailgate
Automatic 2.5-zone air-conditioning
Adaptive LED Headlights
Intelligent Emergency Call
Teleservices
Connected Package Professional
Apple CarPlay one-year subscription
Wireless Smartphone Charging
DAB Digital Radio tuner
Chinese Language Display (no-cost option)

In addition to its V8, the BMW X6 M50i also adds:

M Performance 22-inch M alloy wheels
Adaptive M Suspension Professional
Integral Active Steering
BMW LaserLight
Leather Instrument Panel
Soft-Close Doors
Heated cup-holder
Lumbar support
Four-Zone Climate Control
Harman/kardon Surround Sound System
Metallic paint

Naturally, a host of option packages will be available, starting with the $5000 Iconic Package for six-cylinder models, including metallic paint, 22-inch wheels and the new BMW option of an illuminated ‘Iconic Glow’ double kidney grille, which is now larger and framed by a common surround.

For $7800 ($6600 on M50i), there’s the Indulgence Package comprising BMW CraftedClarity Glass Application, Active Seat Ventilation, Comfort Seats, Massage Function, heated front and rear seats, and soft-close doors (standard on M50i).

Finally, an xOffroad Package for the 30d and 40i (not M50i) costs $7500 and adds Adaptive Air Suspension and BMW Display Key.

All models can also be specified with BMW Individual Full Leather ‘Merino’ trim in either Ivory White or Black for $7300 if Comfort Seats are optioned.

As we’ve reported, the MkIII BMW X6 brings new interior and exterior designs, advanced driver aids, new infotainment tech including 12.3-inch BMW Live Cockpit Professional digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch central touch-screen, and -- says BMW -- sharper handling dynamics.

BMW’s original SUV ‘coupe’ is also now bigger in all key dimensions but height (down 6mm to 1696mm), including length (up 26mm to 4935mm), width (up 15mm to 2004mm), wheelbase (up 42mm to 2975mm and cargo capacity (up 30 litres to 580). Total luggage space rises to 1530 litres with the 40/20/40-split second row of seats folded down.

The BMW X6 xDrive40i produces 250kW/450Nm, can hit 100km/h in a claimed 5.5 seconds and consumes 8.0-8.6L/100km, while the BMW X6 xDrive30d offers 195kW/620Nm, claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.5sec and fuel consumption of 6.1-6.6L/100km. Figures for the BMW X6 M50i are 390kW, 750Nm, 4.3sec and 10.4-10.7L/100km.

For the first time, all BMW X6 models will be available with an integrated tow hitch receiver giving them a maximum 3500kg towing capacity and maximum 280kg downball load. Pricing for the towing hitch mirrors that of the X5 and X7 at $2500.

For another $700, BMW Australia dealers can also supply and fit an approved Tongue Kit including wiring harness, 12-pin flat plug, tongue, ball, bracket, D-shackles, stickers and a specific BMW bag.

Relevant figures include a kerb weight of 2110kg (excluding driver), 750kg payload, 2860kg Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) 3500kg braked towing capacity, max tow ball weight of 280kg, remaining payload of 470kg and Gross Combined Wight (GCM) of 6360kg.

The biggest technical advance for the five-seat BMW X6, is its new CLAR platform that now forms the basis of the latest 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series and all of BMW’s X-branded ‘SAV’ models except the X1 and X2.

The result is less weight and fuel consumption, and greater rigidity, refinement and performance, wrapped in a sleek new five-door body with plunging rear roofline, more angular headlights and BMW’s large, polarising double-kidney grille.

The local launch of the new BMW X6 will follow recent Australian releases of the new US-built X3, X4, X5 and all-new X7, plus this week’s launch of the new X3 M and X4 M.

“This isn’t simply a mild makeover of a vehicle rightly recognised as ‘the beast’,” said BMW Group Australia CEO, Vikram Pawah.

“We have raised the bar several notches for the new, third-generation BMW X6, making it lower, wider and even more muscular than before. It combines that brawn with additional capability, versatility and the latest technology to provide customers with a highly compelling, multi-talented proposition.”

How much is the 2020 BMW X6?
xDrive30d -- $121,900
xDrive40i -- $124,900
M50i -- $155,900