HIPS DON'T LIE

The third-generation X6 features head-turning design and packs in the performance of a sports car. But does it make any sense?

- SUVRAT KOTHARI

IN 2008, BMW GAVE BIRTH TO THE X6, marrying the two vastly different body styles of a coupe and an SUV. The front had the muscle of the X5, and the traditional SUV rear end was replaced by a swooping roofline. BMW called it the Sports Activity Coupe, while the rest of the world called it an SUV-Coupe. The design drew mixed reactions, but irrespective of the criticism, close to half a million units of the X6 have now been sold worldwide. BMW clearly knew what they were up to and have extended the SAV line down the range. BMW have now launched this third-generation X6 in India, taking a formula that people can’t seem to get enough of and evolving it even further. When it was launched during the lockdown we were scratching our heads, figuring out how to get our hands on it. Three months down the line, we can confidently say it was worth the wait.

In the flesh, the X6 looks massive. It’s intimidating, but in a sexy way. The kidney grille is larger (who would have thought?) but compared to that on the X7 and even the new 4 Series, the X6’s seems reasonablysized. The X6’s grille sets itself apart with illumination that looks futuristic at night, but the option will set you back by an additional ₹1 lakh. Critics have gone on and on about BMW grilles being way too much in recent times so I’ll spare you my thoughts on a subject that way too much has already been written about.