2008 BMW X6

has always been a company that has drawn on their history of motor sports competition. For decades their sedans and coupes promised buyers a balance of sport and comfort that struck a chord with drivers the world over. However, as the 90’s began to draw to a close, seemed to shift their focus towards offering greater levels of luxury at the expense of some of the fun that had been embodied in even their entry-level offerings. This coincided with BMW’s decision to sell more vehicles in the U.S. than they had previously done. While the M division continued to pump out steroidal sports versions of their sedans, for the first time decided to offering a sport utility vehicle, the X5. Their understanding the American market was that customers wanted to purchase a truck-like that could offer them performance and off-road ability at the same time. The success of the X5 has lead to further explore the market with the 2008 X6.Avoiding the use of the term SUV, the X6 has been termed an ‘SAC’ by it’s manufacturer, or ‘Sport Activity Coupe. While this word game is most likely fooling no one, it does point to the different direction taken with the X6 when compared to the X5. To begin with the vehicle sports a less boxy, more aerodynamic look similar to the FX series, with a long, curved roofline sloping down to meet an arched rear hatch. The first visual impression is distinctly car-like, and claims that the goal was to create a vehicle that was a combination of coupe and crossover. The long hood is certainly reminiscent of the 6-series coupe, while the angular, indented sides give an impression of brute truck strength.The heart of that implied power can be found under the hood, where a 4.4 liter twin turbo V8 produces 407 horsepower - more than enough for either pulling a trailer to the lake or drag racing for pink slips down at the local track. The X6 can go from zero to sixty miles per hour in only 5.3 seconds, quicker than many sport sedans. The direct-injection motor also generates 450 lb-feet of torque, which should pull even the largest stump out of the ground. A six-speed automatic handles the shifting duties, and torque is managed by something calls ‘Dynamic Performance Control’, a system which can control the amount of torque at each of the drive wheels – the X6 is all-wheel drive, of course. The DPC is active at all times, and doesn’t just react to low-traction situations, but is also a factor in maintaining vehicle stability during high-speed cornering through power management. A twin-turbo 6 cylinder motor making 300 horsepower is also available as the base engine in the X6.The interior of the X6 can only be described as sumptuous. Surprisingly, given it’s size, the X6 only seats four in a 2+2 configuration, but it does so with the standard luxury appointments: leather seats, a full-length center console splitting the entire vehicle, and special knee pads located on the center console intended to help the driver and front passenger brace themselves during quick maneuvers. Out back the X6 boasts 25.6 cubic feat of storage space, more than enough to haul all of your camping, fishing or sports gear. The rear seats fold down and a rear cargo cover is also offered in order to protect the contents of your X6 from prying eyes.It remains to be seen if there is a large enough market for a ‘Sports Activity Coupe’. claims that surveys have told them drivers prefer to have a commanding view of the road from a tall seating position, but as to whether they also need a luxury-performance truck to give them that, no one is certain.