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BMW's
new X6 SUV: Mixing Design With Luxury
By Scott Burgess |
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The
2008 BMW X6 xDrive 35i doesn't have any head-to-head competition.
And why should it? No carmaker has entered the ugly vehicle
segment since the Pontiac Aztek was discontinued.
But BMW, which introduced the X6 at the Detroit auto show
earlier this year, thinks it's onto something. The four-door
hatchback, which the German carmaker calls a coupe, may have
a certain charm to it with its long hood and pod-like cabin.
It's part car, part truck and part moon rover.
Technically, BMW calls it a Sports Activity Coupe, a four-passenger
utility vehicle with a twin turbo charged I-6 (there's also
a version with a 400-horsepower V-8 for those in search of
va-va-voom).
The idea was to create a sporty utility vehicle that is distinctive,
luxurious and all BMW. But something was lost in the translation
between the design department and the factory.
The high back end and the 19-inch low profile tires pushed
forward throw off its proportions. It may have a confident
and athletic stance, but I can't imagine it in the Olympics.
It must have looked so good on paper. Even now, pictures of
the X6 look fantastic.
But when you stand in front of the vehicle, you cock your
head to the side to find just the right angle to enjoy the
view, then tilt your head a little more, a little more, and
whoops, you're laying flat on your side, saying “hummm?”
Perhaps this vehicle is a piece of art that I just don't know
how to appreciate, like the first time you see a Mark Rothko
or Jackson Pollock. For me, abstract expressionism plays better
with oil and canvas than sheet metal and highways.
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mean part of me wants to call it an over-sized sedan with
a lift kit or just another way to show your neighbours
you have $60,000 you had no idea what to do with it. What
do you even say to them when they ask why you bought it?
“Yeah, well, I wanted something that got the gas
mileage of an SUV but is less practical.” Then start
polishing the BMW badge on the hood until they notice
the brand. I-6 makes X6 quick, nimble Obviously, I'm not
a fan |
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of its
exterior, but once inside, the smooth leather soothed me. Start
it up and take off and the X6 provides an excellent ride. From
the inside looking out, you never doubt that this is a BMW.
Its performance lives up to its pedigree.
The 300-horsepower twin turbo I-6 has plenty of pep -- making
the X6 quick and nimble. It launches well from the line and
keeps the precise German handling you'd expect.
The all-wheel-drive system, known as xDrive by BMW, also includes
a Dynamic Performance Control that can vary the amount of force
going through either rear wheel.
Using a computer control system and an all-new rear differential,
the X6 can help steer the car with torque through the back tires.
It can do this while the vehicle is speeding up or slowing down.
Really, it's just amazing and works extremely well. Say you're
coming up to a turn too fast: the system begins to react when
you take your foot off the accelerator.
It provides you with a much more stable platform to handle nearly
any condition. Chalk one point for the X6.
And in heavy cornering, the X6 stays flat as a pancake. The
body doesn't roll and the steering remains firm. On the highway,
the ride is quiet and comfortable, though the low-profile tires
transfer some road noise into the cabin.
Interior offers many positives
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Inside,
I like the X6. The high-riding position provides a commanding
view in traffic and all the materials are what I'd expect
from BMW: plush leather seats, clean sweeping lines across
the dash and the simple but elegant instrument panel.
Everything seems to be laid out across horizontal lines.
It took a few days to adjust
to the center console mounted gear shifter, which reminded
me of the steering column mounted gear |
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shifter
on many Mercedes Benz. It clicks but doesn't really move and
you have to push it forward to find reverse.
I have no problem with the much maligned iDrive. It seems fairly
intuitive and when I'm not sure about something, I consult the
owner's manual, which is thicker than the New York City phone
book.
And since BMW designed the X6 for four smoking adults (there
are ash trays in the front and back), there is plenty of space
to stretch out. The cargo department offers 25.6 cubic feet
of space, which BMW says can hold four golf bags. If you need
more space, the second row folds flat and allows for nearly
60 cubic feet.
While it may look different than other BMWs, the X6 comes with
lots of complex techno features. There's the optional active
steering that can change the relationship between turning the
steering wheel and how far the tires turn.
This means a driver can turn the steering wheel a little at
low speeds and the front tires move more. At high speeds, it's
just the opposite. This, as BMW puts it, "offers exactly
the right steering ratio at all speeds."
There are loads of other features you can appreciate: power
lift-gate, backup camera, heated and ventilated seats, second-row
entertainment system and navigation system with real time traffic
updates. It's everything you'd expect and more.
Rear visibility an issue While the higher driving position is
nice, the way the back window slants it's difficult to see much
through the rearview mirror. One unnerving problem I ran into
was the inability to see the roofs of cars behind me. For alert
drivers, this means it's more difficult to determine whether
the car following you at night has lights on the roof that can
flash in various colors.
But all the gadgets, gizmos and German-designed advanced safety
features don't make up for this ugly duckling that will never
become a swan.
But I don't dislike it because it's homely. I dislike it because
it lacks a true purpose. There are ugly vehicles made today
that I adore, because they provide function. The X6 doesn't.
It's easy to measure it by what it can't do -- like carry five
people -- instead of what it can.
Maybe that's the reason no other carmaker has decided to enter
this uncharted market segment.
Scott Burgess is the auto critic for The Detroit News.
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Lotus
to Develop Bio-fuel Engine |
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World-renowned
Lotus Engineering has entered into collaboration with
Queen's University Belfast and Jaguar Cars to develop
an engine which maximizes fuel efficiency when running
on renewable fuels.
The OMNIVORE concept will employ novel engine architecture
to achieve a high thermal efficiency when fuelled on any
alcohols or gasoline.
The project is sponsored by Defra (Department for the
Environment and Rural Affairs) and the DOE NI (Department
of the Environment Northern Ireland) through the Renewable
Materials LINK Programme.
Lotus Engineering is currently undertaking a design study
and the build of a single cylinder research engine for
completion in January 2009. Vehicle modelling will validate
the reduction in vehicle CO2 emissions Green-Business-Travel.
Queen's University of Belfast's School of Mechanical and
Aerospace Engineering will be adding its world leading
expertise in engine simulation, with Jaguar Cars Ltd a
consultative partner at all stages of development.
This engine design is expected to significantly increase
fuel efficiency for sustainable bio alcohol fuels. The
architecture features an innovative variable compression
ratio system and uses a two-stroke operating cycle with
direct fuel injection.
The OMNIVORE engine will be ideally suited to flex-fuel
operation with a higher degree of optimization than is
possible with existing architectures.
Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus
Plc said: “The automotive industry is now focusing
on its environmental obligations to reduce CO2 emissions
and improve efficiencies and we are seeing the high technology
capabilities of Lotus Engineering being in strong demand.
“Not only does our brand value of 'performance
through light weight' fit perfectly with the necessary
direction of the industry to produce lighter, more efficient
vehicles, we are also working on all aspects of future
fuels, investigating alternative powertrains to accommodate
alcohol fuels as they enter the market.”
Kimberley continues: “Alcohols possess superior
combustion characteristics to gasoline which allow greater
optimization. Taking full advantage of the benefits of
sustainable bio alcohols will ensure a greater percentage
of vehicle miles will be travelled using renewable fuels.
“We are delighted with the investment from
DEFRA which will assist this partnership in taking forward
research development and the demonstration of this environmentally
conscious transport solution.”
The OMNIVORE programme complements the recently unveiled
Lotus Exige 270E Tri-fuel as part of Lotus' research to
understand the complex combustion process involved in
running on mixtures of alcohol fuels and gasoline, which
will be important for a successful transition from today's
fuels to the sustainable, synthetic fuels of the future. |
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Mazda
1 City: Car To Watch |
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Japanese maker
Mazda has peeled the wraps off its forthcoming city car,
the Kiyora, which debuts at the Paris Motor Show.
Set to rival the Vauxhall Meriva and Honda Jazz, the newcomer
is due to go on sale in 2010 wearing the Mazda 1 badge.
We first brought you news of the model in Issue 1,013
and as this concept car proves, it's certainly going to
be a stylish machine. The Kiyora gives a very good indication
of the production version and although those glass sections
in the doors are likely to be |
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dropped,
all the other details will stay.
The flowing lines take Mazda's Nagare design theme to its most
showroom-ready form yet. And the 1 will be green, too, with
a 1.3-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine, a six-speed
automatic gearbox and an all-new start-stop system, which switches
the engine off when in stationary traffic.
Following the same strategy that's been applied to cars such
as the Mazda 2 and 6, it's likely to weigh as little as possible
the concept features carbon fibre panels for instance and will
boast excellent fuel economy and low emissions.
The model will be underpinned by a chopped-down version of the
2 chassis.
Inside, there will be space for four with a flexible luggage
arrangement, while the stylish looks of the exterior will be
carried over to the dashboard.
In addition to the Kiyora, Mazda will unveil a facelifted MX-5
(as we revealed in Issue 1,026) and a new 2.2-litre diesel 6
on the stands in Paris. The 2 hatchback will also get a new
1.6-litre oil-burning engine.
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Ford
Relies On Govt. Loans For Future Goals |
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Ford Motor Co.
CEO Alan Mulally, in remarks quoted by Automotive News
said he believed that government loans to fund fuel-saving
technologies, would prove seminal for the automotive industry.
Ford, said Mulally, would seek such government-backed,
low interest loans to develop innovative technologies
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from lawmakers now favorably disposed
to bolster industry efforts to meet vital fuel-efficiency goals.
Speaking a day after the government rescue of mortgage giants
Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, Mulally said he was not describing
an automotive industry bail out.
“The only conversation
we have now is, what the right way to finance is, and what is
the right provision for deciding which companies participate,”
said Mulally. “We are very positive.”
In December 2007, Congress passed an energy bill legislating
a 40 per cent increase in fuel efficiency standards by 2020,
which also included a guarantee of $25 billion in loans to retool
plants.
According to Mulally, Ford has the cash to proceed with restructuring
and accelerated technological development. Although admitting
current conditions were the worst he had seen in 40 years in
the business, Mulally said, “We are in very good shape
as far as liquidity.”
Car sales in the U.S. through August dropped 11 per cent on
the high cost of gasoline with Ford's sales down 15 per cent.
In response, the company plans to cut its second-half output
by 50,000 units.
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New
Mercedes Concept Unveils Next-Generation E-Class |
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Mercedes has given a
glimpse into its future and it looks fascinating. Mercedes took
the wraps of its new Fascination concept for the first time
recently, and it's set to be the blueprint for the next-generation
of E-class.
The concept is not due to make it as far as production but does
give off strong hints as to what the new E-class range will
look like. More specifically it is the best indicator yet as
to what the new coupe will look like when it replaces the current
CLK.
A combination of the front end from the new coupe and the rear
end from the forthcoming estate, the Fascination shows off Mercedes'
fresh, sportier looking stance within the E-class range.
And under the bonnet there will be a 2.2-litre four-cylinder
Bluetec diesel unit, which will make it into the production
version of the coupe.
The Fascination will make its world premiere at this year's
Paris Motor Show in October and the new range of E-class' will
be unveiled at next year's Geneva show. |
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