BMW believes that the arrival of the new BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupé heralds the dawn of a new era in motoring. The new BMW X6 is claimed to be offer owners the safety and convenience of a command driving position with the on-road performance of a sports car, all wrapped in the smooth lines of a coupé.

The entire model range is turbocharged with the X6 offering a quartet of forced induction engines. The range flagship is an all-new twin-turbocharged V8 producing 408bhp at 5,500rpm. The 4,395cc engine makes the BMW X6 xDrive50i the most powerful production X model BMW has ever produced.

Its 600Nm of torque from 1,800rpm through to 4,500rpm propels the X6 from zero to 100km/hr in 5.4 seconds. Top speed has been electronically-limited to 250 km/hr (155mph). Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 12.5 litres/100 km (22.6mpg) with emissions running high at 299g/km.

The second engine option is the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine already available in the 1 and 3 Series now comes to the X6. Offering 306bhp from its 2,979cc engine, the BMW X6 xDrive35i produces peak power at 5,800rpm. With peak torque of 400Nm from 1,300rpm through to 5,000rpm, it also offers the driver a seamless wave of acceleration from near idle.

This vehicle can sprint from zero to 100km/hr in 6.7 seconds before going on to a top speed of 149mph. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 10.9 litres/100km (25.9mpg) with CO2 emissions of 262g/km.

It is the diesel-powered cars that are predicted to be the biggest selling variants. The BMW X6 xDrive30d is powered by a single-turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine featuring third-generation common-rail fuel injection and producing 235bhp at 4,000rpm. The 2,993cc unit achieves 520Nm of torque from 2,000rpm through to 2,750rpm. This helps deliver a zero to 100km/hr time of 8.0 seconds before going on to a top speed of 210km/hr (with the Dynamic Package fitted*). The BMW X6 xDrive30d still achieves 8.2 litres/100km (34.4mpg) on the combined cycle. Emissions of just 217g/km CO2 ensure the car falls into the Band F VRT Duty tier.

The twin-turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine with third generation common-rail technology for the X6 xDrive35d produces 286bhp at 4,400rpm. Peak torque is 580Nm and this is attained from 1,750rpm through to 2,250rpm. The near instantaneous peak torque figure delivers swift acceleration in all situations. Zero to 100km/hr is achieved in 6.9 seconds before the vehicle continues on to a top speed of 236km/hr. Fuel consumption is equally impressive with the X6 xDrive35d returning 8.3 litres/100km (34.0mpg) on the combined cycle and emitting 220g/km CO2 emissions – again making it a Band F VRT Duty tier BMW.

Brake Energy Regeneration, incorporating an Intelligent Alternator Control and an Absorbent Glass Mat battery to recycle previously lost energy, ensures unrivalled fuel consumption in the X6. This is achieved as the alternator reduces drag on the engine by only engaging when required to charge the battery.

Reduced rolling resistance tyres featuring special heat resistant, anti-distortion materials in the tread and sidewalls lower emissions and improve fuel efficiency on the X6. The Sports Activity Coupé comes with low friction transmission fluids for efficient running and active aerodynamics to regulate air flow to the engine.

Twinned with BMW's benchmark xDrive four-wheel drive system, Dynamic Performance Control makes its world debut on the BMW X6. Dynamic Performance Control works by spreading drive forces from side to side at the two rear wheels as required in a given situation.