BMW has announced pricing details on the new 2013 BMW X6 M, which will hit dealerships in spring 2012.

The updated 2013 BMW X6 M will get minor styling changes and a price jump of $1,600 – bringing the total price tag to $91,900.

Options:

• Active Ventilated Seat Package (ZAV) - Active Ventilated Seat package no longer includes SA456 and has been re-priced to $900.
• Full LED Headlights (552) now available as a stand-alone option for $1,900.

The 2013 BMW X5 M will also see a price jump of $1,600 to a total of $88,850.

Both are powered by a 4.4-liter, 32-valve twin-turbocharged V8 engine with direct injection making 555-hp at 6,000 rpm and 500 lb-ft of torque between 1,500 and 5,650 rpm. Mated to a 6-speed M Sport Automatic transmission with Adaptive Transmission Control – 0 to 60 mph comes in just 4.5 seconds with a top speed limited to 155 mph.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: BMWBlog

Power will continue to come from a 4.4-liter, 32-valve twin-turbocharged V8 engine with direct injection making 555-hp at 6,000 rpm and 500 lb-ft of torque between 1,500 and 5,650 rpm. Mated to a 6-speed M Sport Automatic transmission with Adaptive Transmission Control – 0 to 60 mph comes in just 4.5 seconds with a top speed limited to 155 mph.

Price for the 2013 BMW X6 are expected to remain right above $90,000 but we’ll bring you official numbers as soon as they are released.

For now, enjoy that high-rest photos in gallery.

- By: Omar Rana

The two models are also powered by the new 3.0 liter 6-clyinder in-line diesel engine with M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology with three turbochargers. The engine makes 381-hp at 4,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 546 lb-ft between 2,000 – 3,000 rpm and is mated to a 8-speed automatic transmission.

BMW X5 M50d:

• Acceleration [0 – 100 km/h (62 mph)]: 5.4 seconds
• Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
• Average fuel consumption: 7.5 litres/100 kilometres (37.7 mpg imp)
• CO2 emissions: 199 g/km, exhaust standard: EU5

BMW X6 M50d:

• Acceleration [0 – 100 km/h (62 mph)]: 5.3 seconds
• Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
• Average fuel consumption: 7.7 litres/100 kilometres (36.7 mpg imp)
• CO2 emissions: 204 g/km, exhaust standard: EU5

- By: Omar Rana

Since its market launch, BMW has sold more than 150,000 units of the X6 (in three years). While that may seem low, it far surpassed the original figure the executives at BMW had planned.

Check out more news on the BMW X6.

So where are the main design changes? Look closely and you’ll see minor modifications to the front headlamps, fog lamps, a slightly redesigned grille bars, optional LEd headlamps with 3D shaped luminous rings (standard on X6 M). There are also new rear lights with LED technology. Additionally the X6 in Germany now gets a M Sport Edition (which the U.S. still misses out on). The BMW X6 M Sport Package adds 20-inch M light alloy wheels, BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line, black surrounds for the fog lights and M door sill cover strips, sports seats with electrical adjustment and memory function, M-specific Alcantara/Nappa leather combination in black with M-style welt and contrast stitching, M leather steering wheel with shift paddles, M driver footrest, stainless steel pedals, interior strips in Aluminium Flywheel black and the BMW Individual roof liner in anthracite.

The engine lineup remains basically the same. The V8 2013 BMW X6 xDrive 50i continues to produce 407-hp, the X6 xDrive35i 6-cylinder makes 306-hp, the BMW X6 xDrive40d and BMW X6 xDrive30d pump out 306-hp and 245-hp respectively.

A BMW X6 Hybrid is no longer an option.

- By: Omar Rana

BMW has announced that it will be investing nearly $900 million USD and adding 300 new jobs at its plant in South Carolina to support production of the upcoming BMW X4 at the Spartanburg facility. The announcement came during a ceremony to celebrate a major production milestone – 2,000,000 vehicles that have rolled off the assembly line since the company began U.S. production in 1994.

“I am delighted to announce today, over the next three years, we plan to invest nearly $900 Million U.S. dollars. With this investment, we will be able to produce 350,000 units here in the mid-term,” said Arndt. “This is one reaction to the rising global demand for our BMW X Models.”

As we already know that new BMW X4 will be a smaller version of the X6 and will be based on the same platform as the BMW X3.

Check out more news on the BMW X4.

BMW says that with the addition of 300 jobs this year, the plat will increase production to 300,000 units annually. By the end of the year, the plant will employ close to 7,500 workers.

Since 1994, the plant has undergone four major expansions and produced 6 different BMW models and their variants (318i, Z3, Z4, X5, X6, X3). Employment has grown from 500 in 1994 to more than 7,000 today.

- By: Omar Rana

BMW has just dropped another teaser of what is known as the BMW X6 M550d. The first teaser was released earlier this month and showed an ‘M-fied’ X6 traveling through mountain sides.

The second video shows much of the same but with a couple of BMW M engineers and executives talking about how wonderful the car will be.

Click here for the first teaser on the BMW X6 M550d.

Rumors so far suggest that the BMW X6 M550d will be powered by a tri-turbo 6-cylinder diesel engine that will produce around 381-hp with a maximum torque of 545 lb-ft. 0 to 62 mph is expected in fast 4.9 seconds.

More details to come.

- By: Omar Rana

This new X6M’s powerplant though also blows many M cars even out of the water and puts BMW’s older fuel-sippers to shame. 0-60 comes in under five seconds and 38 miles to the gallon also happens in the case of next year’s Euro-only M550D X-Drive (0-60 happens in 4.7s in the teased car). The powerplant, which let’s be honest is the whole point of this car is good for 381 bhp and 545 ft-lb of torque. In keeping with the current theme of smaller is better, the engine only has six cylinders, but has three turbochargers, most likely accounting for the high efficiency and power.

BMW has not been extensively vocal about the diesel X6M, but if the past is any indication, there will only be an automatic ‘box in a world with the admittedly less powerful but cheaper and more practical 3-door Range Rover Evoque diesel, which right now only comes with a six-speed manual. Just a thought.

- By: Sawyer Sutton

Source: BMWBlog

We’ve previously heard reports that Audi has plans to offer a competitor to the BMW X6. Walter de’ Silva, design boss at Audi has now confirmed that Audi has officially signed off on plans for the X6 competitor but declined to say when the car will hit dealerships.

In an interview with Automotive News Europe, de’ Silva said that Audi may even do a challenger to the upcoming BMW X4, but nothing has been signed off as of yet. Sources say that BMW will start selling the X4 in 2014.

Known as the Q6, the BMW X6 competitor would fit between the Q7 and the Q5 in Audi’s lineup.

“We will definitely launch a sportier crossover in between the Q7 and Q5,” de’ Silva said.

Audi has goals to pass BMW as the top-selling luxury brand by 2015.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News

BMW M GmbH is teasing a new model today. The teaser, titled ‘A new chapter powered M’ shows an X6 going around a nice curvy road at high-speeds.

Recent rumors lead us to believe that this is the X6 M550d  high-peformance diesel that we’ve been hearing about for quite some time.

Check out the video after the jump and stay tuned for more details.

- By: Omar Rana

BMW of North America has announced that it is ‘modestly’ increasing prices on its vehicles starting Jan. 1, 2012. All BMW vehicles (except the 7-Series) now see a less than one percent increase. The reason? BMW says that”tough economic times a careful balance was attained between the competitive situation, inflationary conditions, and market realities.”

The destination and handling charges for all models will be bumped up to $895 on Jan. 1 as well.

Check out the full pricing list after the jump.

- By: Omar Rana

The new M models will have options for BMW Individual Paint, piano black, eucalyptus, or walnut trim and Merino leather, soft close functions, both front and rear DVD systems, BMW Internet, along with additional Individual options. A panorama glass roof is available for the X5 M, while the X6 M gets an electric glass roof.

As for performance, both models come with xDrive, powered by a V8 with TwinPower Turbo that produces 555-hp, with a 0-62mph time of 4.7 seconds.

- By: Alexandra Koken

BMW has announced that it is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 5-Series, 5-Series Gran Turismo, 7-Series, X5, X6 vehicles with a V8 or 12-cylinder turbocharged engine. Apparently there could be an issue with the circuit board for the electric auxiliary water pump that can overheat.

“This could lead to a smoldering of the pump or an engine compartment or vehicle fire,” the NHTSA said in a statement.

BMW said it will start notifying owners later this month and will replace the auxiliary water pump free of charge. The recall consists of over 32,000 vehicles.

Owners can contact BMW Customer Relations and Services at 1-800-525-7417.

- By: Omar Rana

$350 million dollars and 400 new jobs later, Mercedes-Benz will have its BMW X6 competitor out on the roads as soon as it enters production in 2015. A poster has been hung at the company’s Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant teasing the new model and someone on Twitter managed to capture an image and Tweet for the rest of us to see.

Click here for more details on the Mercedes-Benz MLC.

Known as the Mercedes-Benz MLC, one of 10 new vehicles from the brand to debut over the next 4 years, the model will be based on the M-Class crossover.

Of course there is a market for the MLC. BMW sold a total of 46,404 units of the X6 in 2010 and really has no competitor out there besides the Infiniti FX.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Twitter (via Jalopnik)

The BMW X6 is very much a niche vehicle and to try and expand the options, BMW attempted at making an “ActiveHybrid” version that veatured a small electric powertrain, only to make the X6 slightly more efficient. With a hefty and commanding price of nearly $90,000 large, it didn’t exactly quite sell well. As a result, BMW reportedly announced that the X6 will be dropped from the US lineup in 2012.

Word about the loss of the X6 ActiveHybrid has been floating around for a little bit on the news desks. The original story had it that production for the X6 ActiveHybrid came to a complete end. After an official word from BMW of NA spokesman Dave Buchko, BMW has not completely ended production for the X6 ActiveHybrid but rather just dropped it in the US.

So far, Buchko also stated that there are no plans to try and improve on the X6’s ActiveHybrid system as BMW is focusing on the new 5-Series hybrid that will be sold next to the 7-Series ActiveHybrid in the US.

Click here for more news on the BMW X6.

Because the X6 ActiveHybrid had such a high price, most buyers opted for the balls-out X6 M because the ActiveHybrid only offered a 12% improvement on efficiency. This was also due to the fact that the X6 ActiveHybrid was the world’s most powerful hybrid vehicle. So despite being a bit of a sales flop, the X6 walks away from the US game with some fame.

The BMW X6 ActiveHybrid managed an EPA-rated fuel-economy of 17/19 mpg.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: BimmerFile

Audi has been hard at work to expand their Q-SUV lineup. And with growing success in terms of sales and the already preexisting Q-lineup, Audi is planning to introduce more Q-SUVs.

It first started off with the Q7, which in 2010 increased production by 37.1% due to a height in sales. The Q5 grew by 32.4% and with the Q3 on the way, Audi’s SUV sales are very much nearing 250,000 units. That’s about to significantly increase because Audi’s Q6 crossover SUV that will go against the likes of the BMW X6 and the Infiniti FX is very much on its way after receiving a green light for production earlier this year.

In other news with Audi’s SUV lineup, the current Q7 is expected to be replaced by an all-new model in 2014 and will be based on Audi’s new MLB Evo architecture. The new platform is said to be 300kg lighter, feature an aluminum body and be available in plug-in form.

The next generation Q5 is slated for a mid-2016 release and will also be based on the MLB Evo allowing it to be lighter as well. The Q6 is also pegged for a 2016 release and lastly, Audi has been rumored to be working on a two-door SUV called the Q4.

And lastly, another rumor is floating around that Audi may also be considering a full-size Q9. However, Audi’s boss Rupert Stadler said: “We looked at this segment long and hard. Right now, I am inclined to ignore it. Why? Because full-size SUVs sell only in certain markets, because we are putting a strong emphasis on reducing the weight and bulk of our vehicles, and because a Q9 would not create much incremental brand value. There is no doubt however that crossovers are still selling like hot cakes even though the trend seems to shift towards more compact models.”

- By: Chris Chin

Source: CAR

We’ve held off on doing a Let’s Talk Number face-off for a while but it’s battle time again. This time we’re pinning the new 2012 Infiniti FX against the new 2012 BMW X6. Both of these crossovers have aggressive styling, lots of power and a lot of technology but this battle is all about the numbers – so let’s get started.

Click here to check out our previous Let’s Talk Number wars.

2012 BMW X6:

• Style: Crossover.
• Drive Type: All-wheel-drive.
• Power:

• BMW X6 xDrive35i: 3.0 liter TwinPower Turbo inline 6 / 300-hp at 5,800 rpm – 300 lb-ft of torque between 1,300 – 5,000 rpm.
• BMW X6 xDrive50i: 4.4 liter TwinPower Turbo V8 / 400-hp at 5,500 rpm – 450 lb-ft of torque between 1,750 – 4,500 rpm.

• BMW X6 xDrive35i: 6.3 seconds.
• BMW X6 xDrive50i: 5.2 seconds.

• BMW X6 xDrive35i: 4,784 lbs.
• BMW X6 xDrive50i: 5,225 lbs.

• BMW X6 xDrive35i: 16/23 mpg (city/highway).
• BMW X6 xDrive50i: 14/20 mpg (city/highway).

• BMW X6 xDrive35i: $58,900.
• BMW X6 xDrive50i: $69,500.

2012 Infiniti FX:

• Style: Crossover.
• Drive Type: Rear-wheel and All-wheel-drive.
• Power:

• 2012 Infiniti FX35: 3.5 liter V6 / 303-hp at 6,800 rpm – 272 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm.
• 2012 Infiniti FX50: 5.0 liter V8 / 390-hp at 6,500 rpm – 369 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm.

• 2012 Infiniti FX35: 6.6 seconds.
• 2012 Infiniti FX50: 5.5 seconds.

• 2012 Infiniti FX35 AWD: 4,279 lbs.
• 2012 Infiniti FX50 AWD: 4,546 lbs.

• 2012 Infiniti FX35 AWD: 16/21 mpg (city/highway).
• 2012 Infiniti FX50 AWD: 14/20 mpg (city/highway).

• 2012 Infiniti FX35 AWS: $44,900 ($43,450 w/o AWD)
• 2012 Infiniti FX50 AWD: $59,350.

2012 BMW X6:

2012 Infiniti FX:

2012 BMW X6:

2012 Infiniti FX:

- By: Omar Rana

As we reported over the weekend, Mercedes-Benz is planning to invest more than $2 billion to upgrade and expand operations at its U.S. auto assembly plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The investment will make room to produce the new M-Class, the successor generations of the GL-Class and the C-Class… but that’s not all.

Sources now tell Automotive News Europe that Mercedes-Benz is planning to add another model at the Tuscaloosa plant. Insiders say that the model will be a variant of the M-Class with a coupe-like roofline. Of course, that means that the model will be a rival to the BMW X6, which is built in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Production of the model, likely to be called the Mercedes-Benz MLC, will begin in 2015.

Is there a market for such Benz? Well, BMW sold 46,404 units of the X6 in 2010, so there’s definitely a chance to grab a piece of the pie.

During the first 6 months of 2011, BMW sold 113,705 units, while Mercedes-Benz lagged behind with 110,926 units. Lexus, which Mercedes-Benz has been fighting for  11-years in the United States, sold 88,010 units.

2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class:

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News

At the turn of the 2012 year, the BMW X6 will have turned three years old, which means that its due for a mid-cycle refresh.

Other than the usual visual and aesthetic changes, the biggest change is a new inline-six diesel. Featuring Tri-Turbo, which means yes, three turbochargers, the 3.0L inline-six will peak at about 400-hp while decreasing overall fuel consumption.

The New X6 model will be called the BMW X6 xDrive50d. Al of the other engine models will also receive updated powerplants for more power and efficiency.

Click here for more news on the BMW X6.

As for a new X6, under the same announcement, BMW said that we could expect a second-generation X6, interally dubbed the F16, in 2014.

The same is being planned for the next-generationBMW 7-Series

- By: Chris Chin

Source: BMWBlog