The New 2020 BMW X6 Sport Activity Coupé

Richmond Hill, ON. BMW is pleased to announce the new 2020 X6 Sports Activity Coupé. More than ten years ago, BMW combined the attributes of the Sports Activity Vehicle with the more aggressive DNA of a Coupé to create the X6 and the new Sports Activity Coupé class. Since then, over 443,000 of the extroverted BMW X6 have been purchased by customers world-wide. 

The new 2020 BMW X6’s muscular form and sharp, creased lines are the external visuals for a combination of the most advanced powertrain, chassis, safety, driving assistance and technology systems that BMW has to offer. All with the added benefit of a luxurious interior space for up to five passengers, all-surface and all-weather capability and an available factory trailer package rated for up to 3,400 kg (7,200 lb) of towing capacity.

Exterior design

The dimensions of the 2020 third-generation X6 have grown slightly in overall length (+ 26 mm), wheelbase (+42 mm) and width (+ 15 mm). While height has been reduced by 6 mm for improved aerodynamics and a lower center of gravity improving vehicle agility.

The new X6 also serves as the premiere for the optional illuminated BMW kidney grille. The illumination can be activated by unlocking and locking the vehicle or manually. The illuminated grille is part of the daytime running light feature and can remain on while the vehicle is in motion.

The large, single-piece BMW kidney-grille with active air slats is flanked by slim, trapezoidal Adaptive Full LED headlights. The large openings of the bumper and sharp-creased lines impart a more aggressive appearance to the new X6. Standard 21-inch alloy wheels fill the openings of the X6’s pronounced fenders and can be upgraded even further with 22-inch wheels. The roofline flows into a double-bubble design towards the rear ending in subtle, twin spoilers above the rear hatch glass. The wide rear fender arches blend into the upswept rear hatch design, forming an additional, functional split-rear spoiler to improve aerodynamics and downforce. Very slim L-shaped LED taillights adorn the top of the rear hatch, high above the exhaust surrounds which are integrated into the sculptured lower rear diffuser panel.

The new design elements, from front-to-rear, complete the powerful and capable vehicle aura which owners have come to value from BMW’s Sports Activity Coupé vehicles.

The 2020 X6 xDrive40i comes standard with M Sport package. Exterior trim such as the BMW kidney grille frame and tail pipe surrounds are finished in chrome, while the large air intakes include high-gloss black elements. In the rear, the spoiler and diffuser are painted in body colour, while the lower bumper is finished in dark shadow.

On the X6 M50i, the exterior trim is finished in high-gloss black, while the BMW kidney grille, exterior mirror caps, model badge and exhaust tailpipes are painted in Cerium Grey. The calipers of the M Sport brakes, standard on the X6 M50i, are finished in blue.

Interior design

The interior arrangement of the 2020 X6 has been refocused on the driver while at the same time offering impeccable quality and finish from all surfaces to coddle the passengers in glove-like comfort.

Vernasca leather, Sport seats, and Sensatec dashboard are standard on all X6 models. Extended Merino leather, BMW Individual Full Merino leather and Walknappa leather dashboard are all available as upgrades to suit every level of desired luxury.

Standard specification for the new BMW X6 includes 2.5-zone automatic climate control, while a four-zone system is optional. Another innovation is the newly developed panoramic glass roof, whose glass surface area is 83 per cent larger than on the outgoing model. The optional Panorama glass roof Sky Lounge, meanwhile, brings a particularly exclusive ambience to the interior of the new BMW X6 during the hours of darkness. More than 15,000 graphic patterns in the glass roof are illuminated and generate a display reminiscent of a starlit sky. Six different colors are available for the illumination of the Panorama glass roof Sky Lounge. The BMW X6 comes as standard with ambient lighting, which includes the Welcome Light Carpet. This feature illuminates the approach to the doors when they are unlocked or opened, enhancing safety when getting in and out of the car. The new BMW X6 can also be equipped with optional thermoelectric cup holders, which are integrated into the front section of the center console and keep drinks containers cool or warm, as desired.

The new BMW X6 can be specified as an option with glass applications for selected controls, adding unique visual and haptic experience to the interior.  The glass applications are available for the transmission selector lever, the iDrive Controller, the start/stop button and the audio volume knob. The optional Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System includes a seven-channel amplifier with 1,500-watt output and 20 speakers to generate an impressive 3D audio experience for all passengers. The wireless charging option allows compatible mobile devices to be charged wirelessly in the tray positioned ahead of the cup holders. The rear seats can be folded down in a 40:20:40 combination to increase the cargo space from 580 to 1525 litres.

Paints finishes and interior trim

The new 2020 BMW X6 is offered in one standard, non-metallic paint color, seven metallic paint finishes and two BMW Individual metallic paint finishes.

The standard non-metallic paint finish is Alpine White. Optional metallic paint finishes include Carbon Black Metallic, Black Sapphire Metallic, Mineral White Metallic, Flamenco Red Metallic, Arctic Grey Metallic, Manhattan Green Metallic and Riverside Blue Metallic. Optional BMW Individual paint finishes are Tanzanite Blue II Metallic and Ametrine Metallic.

Standard, interior Vernasca leather trim is offered in seven colours; Black, Coffee, Cognac, Tacora Red, Ivory White, Canberra Beige and Black with contrast Brown stitching.

Optional Extended Merino leather trim is available in six colours; Black, Coffee, Tartufo, Amarone/Black, Ivory White and Ivory White/Night Blue.

Optional BMW Individual Full Merino leather interiors are offered in six color combinations: Black, Coffee, Tartufo, Amarone/Black, Ivory White and Ivory White/Night Blue.

6-cylinder Power and performance

The BMW X6 xDrive40i is powered by the latest iteration of BMW’s TwinPower 3.0 liter inline 6-cylinder Turbo engine. The new engine produces 335 hp between 5,500 – 6,500 rpm, an increase of 33 hp over the previous model and 330 lb-ft of torque between 1,500 – 5,200 rpm, an increase of 35 lb-ft of torque.

The new 6-cylinder engine features an exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head, a twin-scroll turbocharger with quicker response and direct injection technology working at an increased maximum pressure of 350 bar. A housing with improved flow characteristics and turbines with reduced masses both help the turbocharging system to ensure rapid build-up of pressure, and the charge air cooler has been incorporated into the intake system. The latest version of the VALVETRONIC fully variable valve timing system makes the sort of swift, high-precision adjustments that facilitate instantaneous power delivery and improve engine efficiency. The exhaust manifold embedded in the cylinder head cooling jacket, the new oil module with integral heat exchanger and the split-cooling valve delivering on-demand control

of the cooling system all serve to optimize the engine’s temperature management. Efficiency is given a further boost by the low-friction belt drive and the reduced weight of both the crankshaft and oil pump.

This allows the X6 xDrive40i to accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds (0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds), 0.9 seconds faster than the outgoing model, and features  an electronically limited top speed of 210 km/h when equipped with all-season tires and 250 km/h when equipped with performance tires.

M Performance V8 Power

The X6 M50i is powered by a new and immensely potent version of BMW’s 4.4-liter eight-cylinder TwinPower turbocharged engine. This updated engine features two twin-scroll turbochargers with charge air cooling located within the V-shaped space between the cylinder banks, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing. This combination delivers 523 hp between 5,500 and 6,000 rpm and 553 lb-ft of torque between 1,800 – 4,600 rpm - an increase of 78 hp and 74 lb-ft of torque over the previous model’s output.

A new aluminium alloy has been used to increase the strength of the engine block. The wire-arc sprayed iron coating for the cylinder walls serves to reduce frictional losses. Reinforced, Grafal-coated pistons and optimized piston rings are designed to endure the stress on the crank drive that comes with the extra output and torque. To enhance engine smoothness, torsional vibration is minimized with the help of a viscous damper on the crankshaft.

The X6 M50i comes standard with an M Sport exhaust system allowing for the tuned, selectable exhaust note to be adjusted by the driver with the press of a button. M Sport exhaust is also standard on the X6 xDrive40i.

The BMW X6 M50i accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds (60 mph in just 4.1 seconds), 0.5 seconds quicker than the outgoing X6 model. Top speeds are similarly electronically limited to 210 km/h when the vehicle is equipped with all-season tires and 250 km/h when equipped with summer performance tires.

Eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission and xDrive all-wheel drive

The eight-speed Sport Steptronic transmission’s new control electronics help to increase the powertrain’s overall performance and efficiency. Intelligent connectivity enables the Sport automatic transmission to adapt its shift strategy according to the route and driving situation by working with the navigation system and if equipped, combining this data with information from the Active Cruise Control system’s radar sensor. This makes it possible for the transmission to shift proactively instead of reactively insuring that the vehicle is always in the correct gear for the upcoming road conditions.

The BMW xDrive system in the X6 xDrive 40i and X6 M50i works to maximize traction, agility and directional stability. In dynamic driving situations, the intelligent all-wheel-drive system has a rear-wheel bias, sending drive power exclusively to the rear wheels, when added traction is not required. The X6’s traction capabilities are aided by the electronically controlled rear M Sport differential, which is standard on the X6 M50i and optional on the X6 xDrive40i. It optimizes the transfer of power between the left and right rear wheels allowing the X6 to power out of corners with greater speed.

Chassis, Suspension and Steering

A double-wishbone front and five-link rear suspension designs give the new BMW X6 the tools to deliver agile yet comfortable road handling plus enhanced traction off the beaten track. The X6 Sports Activity Coupé comes as standard with Adaptive M Suspension which allows the driver to select either of two damper settings with the Driving Experience Control switch, placing the emphasis on a sporting or comfort-biased driving experience.

The M Sport Plus Package with active roll stabilization and Integral Active Steering enhances the new X6’s handling with exceptionally agile and dynamic driving qualities. The Active Roll Stabilization system works using electric swivel motors and enables swift and precise compensation for body roll when powering through twists and turns. Not only does this improve agility and directional stability when entering corners, it helps optimize traction when accelerating out of the corners as well. The Active Roll Stabilization system on the new BMW X6 also increases straight-line comfort by actively countering the vibrations triggered by bumps on one side of the road.

The electromechanically operated Integral Active Steering is also available as an individual option. By turning the rear wheels in either the same direction as or the opposite direction of the front wheels, depending on the road speed, it lends itself to more nimble cornering, effortless lane changes. Integral Active Steering makes turning into and out of tight parking spots much easier, while also increasing directional stability when overtaking at motorway speeds.

The new BMW X6 is available with two-axle air suspension including automatic self-levelling. The suspension’s air supply is controlled individually for each wheel using an electrically driven compressor with pressure reservoir, making it possible to balance out an unevenly loaded car. Thanks to the linkup with the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system, the vehicle load registered by the air suspension’s sensors can also be factored into braking modulation. The X6’s ride height can be changed at the touch of a button and the driver can choose from five different modes. The driver is also able to adjust the body’s ground clearance for off-road driving to a maximum of 40 mm above the standard setting. Another button lowers the car by 40 mm below the default height in preparation for loading or unloading items. The height of the X6 above the ground can therefore be varied through up to 80 mm, making it significantly easier to get in and out of the car and to load and unload items from the cargo area.

The new BMW X6 xDrive 40i is offered with an optional Off-Road Package, which includes an electronically controlled M Sport rear differential. Included in the package are four off-road drive modes specially tuned for driving over snow, sand, gravel or rocks. At the press of a button, drivers can activate the ideal settings for the vehicle’s ride height, the xDrive system, the transmission control and the DSC system’s intervention. Accelerator pedal response also adapts to the driving mode selected.

Wheels, Tires and Brakes

The 2020 BMW X6 xDrive40i comes standard with 21-inch alloy wheels with 275/45R21 (front) and 315/35R21 (rear) performance run-flat tires.

 The xDrive 40i model offers a wide selection of optional wheels and tires including; 20-inch wheels with all-season run-flat tires, 21-inch wheels with performance run-flat tires and 22-inch wheels with performance non-run-flat tires.

The 2020 X6 M50i comes standard with 22-inch alloy wheels with 275/35R22 (front) and 315/30R22 (rear) performance non-run-flat tires.

A space-saver spare can be selected to complement the selection of wheels with non-run-flat tires.

The X6 M50i also comes equipped with standard M Sport brakes which are optional on the X6 xDrive 40i.

Back-Up Assistant: Unique, high-precision guidance in tight spaces

Back-Up Assistant offers an unmatched level of assistance when leaving a parking space or maneuvering in a confined area. The Back-Up Assistant takes over steering to maneuver the vehicle mirroring the path most recently used in the forward direction. This system makes reversing for a distance of up to 50 metres an effortless task in the new 2020 BMW X6. All the driver has to do is operate the accelerator and brakes and monitor the surrounding area. The system is initiated by pressing a button when the vehicle is stationary and the gear selector is in the “P” position. The steering movements made during the vehicle’s last forward maneuver are stored by the system and retained. This means the Back-Up Assistant can be used to maneuver the new BMW X6 backwards out of a parking position that it drove into forwards the previous day.

The driver enjoys ideal all-round visibility, thanks to both the standard rear-view camera and the optional Top View, Panorama View and 3D View which are part of Parking Assistant Plus, which create a 360-degree image of the vehicle and its surroundings in the Center Display. In addition, drivers can use the Remote 3D View feature, part of the BMW ConnectedDrive App, to access a three-dimensional live image of their vehicle and surroundings on a smartphone no matter where they are at that moment.

Driver Assistance Systems

The 2020 BMW X6 is available with a wide variety of standard and optional driver assistance systems. The systems really come into their own when driving longer distances by relieving the strain on the driver in monotonous situations, such as traffic jams or slow-moving traffic. They enhance comfort and safety both in urban traffic and on longer trips by providing targeted assistance in complex traffic situations. The driver assistance systems process camera images as well as the data gathered by ultrasonic and radar sensors to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings, to warn of potential hazards and to minimise the risk of an accident with corrective braking or steering inputs.

Standard equipment includes Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation. Depending on the situation, the system can bring the vehicle to a halt to either avoid a collision or minimize its consequences.

The optional Driving Assistance Professional contains Active Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning, Surround View Camera, Parking Assistant, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Speed Limit Information. On top of that, the Driving Assistance Professional offers comprehensive assistance for comfortable and safe driving. This package includes Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function. It can be used at speeds up to 210 km/h and maintains the desired speed while taking not only the traffic situation into account, but also the selected distance to vehicles in front. If required, the system is able to brake the car to a stop then pull away again automatically after being stationary for up to 30 seconds, meaning greater comfort in stop-start traffic. Camera images and data from a front radar system are used for distance control.

Another component of the Driving Assistance Professional Package is the Lane Keeping Assistant with Active Side Collision Protection. This system is designed to help the driver guide the vehicle back onto the correct path with an active turn of the steering wheel. Besides emitting visual warning signals and causing the steering wheel to vibrate, active side collision protection also uses active steering intervention to help avoid a collision. Moreover, this package includes Extended Traffic Jam Assistant for limited access highways, which allows for even more relaxed driving at speeds lower than 60 km/h during highly congested highway traffic situations. The Driving Assistance Professional Package includes Evasion Aid, which now also reacts to pedestrians and Front Cross Traffic Alert – which reduces the danger of a collision when maneuvering forwards towards roads that are obstructed from the driver’s view.

The latest-generation Head-Up Display.

The latest generation of the BMW Head-Up display system features a larger projection area, optimized graphics and additional content. The BMW Head-Up Display projects information directly into the driver’s field of vision where it can be viewed without any need for them to divert their eyes from the road. This includes details of vehicle speed, speed limits and overtaking restrictions, Check Control messages, status indicators and warnings from the assistance systems, detailed route guidance and turn instructions, as well as telephone and entertainment lists. The displayed information and style can be adjusted via the new M mode button on the center console.

Live Cockpit Professional with iDrive 7

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional in the 2020 BMW X6 combines a new display and control concept and the ultimate in connectivity to create a superb all-round package. The latest-generation of the iDrive is composed of a high-resolution digital 31 cm (12.3”) instrument cluster display behind the steering wheel and a 31 cm (12.3”) center display. The system offers many hardware upgrades including new haptic controls for the iDrive controller, an advanced tablet-like touch interface, stunning visualizations, and the largest displays in BMW’s vehicle lineup.

This latest system blends the strengths of previous iDrive concepts with the modern ways in which people expect to interface with their popular electronic devices. The multi-modal approach of the iDrive touch controller, large touchscreen center display, cloud based voice control, and gesture control allow users to interact in the way of their choosing.  

The seventh generation of iDrive, which runs the latest BMW Operating System, has a cutting-edge, fully digital design and is geared to the driver’s needs by allowing him or her to customize the system to his or her own preference with customizable widgets of information. This new level of personalization is then stored in the BMW Cloud and can follow the customer to other BMW vehicles. Information from categories such as driving, entertainment, navigation, connectivity, and the vehicle info itself, can be selected in nearly any combination in any of four layouts on the Center Display. Multiple pages can be created and easily accessed with a simple swipe across the screen with your finger.

To maximize the capabilities of the large 31 cm (12.3”) digital instrument cluster, the traditional gauges have been finessed into an all-new design pushing the speedometer and tachometer gauges to the outer edges of the display as geometric bands. This new design opens space in the middle for routing and navigation. Information from the center display can also be shown within the tachometer. Additionally, your driving mode will determine your visual display style. 

Other elements of the BMW Live Cockpit Professional are the Navigation Professional system, two USB-C ports, plus Bluetooth interfaces. The driver can be automatically detected and personal settings activated either using the traditional vehicle key or by downloading the driver’s personal settings the BMW Cloud.

Drivers can enjoy the full benefits of the car’s intelligent connectivity capabilities through vehicle apps such as news, weather, office and online search. Other capabilities include Intelligent Emergency Call – which automatically summons swift assistance in an emergency – and regular updates for the navigation system’s maps.

BMW Connected: digital services for individual mobility.

BMW Connected is the companion app for BMW drivers. Intelligent connectivity helps users to reach their destination easily and with minimal stress – and not only from within their car; BMW Connected is an all-embracing concept designed to seamlessly connect the driver and their smartphone with their vehicle.

At the heart of it all is the Open Mobility Cloud, which allows the app to connect the car with the customer’s digital devices, including the iPhone and Apple Watch. For instance, the BMW Connected app can import appointments and addresses from the customer’s calendar entries straight into the navigation system to begin route guidance. The system calculates the optimum departure time based on real-time traffic information and notifies the driver with a message on their smartphone when it is time to leave. As the vehicle is linked up via the Open Mobility Cloud, it is able to access the calculated route directly when the navigation system starts up.

Standard Equipment

The 2020 BMW X6 features an extensive list of standard safety, convenience and entertainment features.

·         M Sport Package

·         Adaptive M Suspension

·         Eight-Speed STEPTRONIC Sport automatic transmission

·         21-inch Wheels with performance run-flat tires

·         M Sport Exhaust System

·         M leather Steering Wheel

·         Live Cockpit Professional with Navigation and iDrive 7

·         Remote Engine Start

·         Active Protection

·         Active Driving Assistant

·         Active Blind-spot detection

·         Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation

·         Lane Departure Warning

·         Park Distance Control

·         Rear View Camera

·         Panoramic Sunroof

·         Privacy Glass

·         Heated Front Seats

·         Sensatec Dashboard

·         Ambient Lighting

·         Anthracite Roofliner

·         Adaptive Full LED lights

·         LED Fog Lights

·         Apple CarPlay compatibility

·         SiriusXM Radio

·         BMW Gesture Control

The X6 M50i adds the following standard equipment

·         22-inch Wheels with performance non-run-flat tires

·         M Sport Brakes

·         M Sport Differential

The new X6 will be produced at Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina alongside the X3, X4, X5 and X7. As BMW’s largest production plant, Spartanburg, SC is the center of global X vehicle competence, employs over 10,000 people and is supported by 300 suppliers across the U.S. 70 percent of the X vehicles produced in Plant Spartanburg are exported to 140 countries worldwide making BMW the largest exporter of vehicles, by value, from the U.S.