BMW X6 ActiveHybrid, a showcase for technology Hybrid…
In genetics : “the crossing of two individuals of two different kinds”. In the automotive field : “a vehicle using two different sources of energy”. After our little lesson in semantics, we must render to Caesar what is due to Caesar, and award this model from BMW the title of the most powerful hybrid vehicle on the market.
Today’s trend is eco-friendly and the automotive sector is no exception. After being “smart”, the home is now becoming an energy-saver, while the car is expected to respect the environment. Except that ecological awareness has sprung up at a time when everyone just adores 4WDs, renowned for their excessive gas consumption and exponential CO2 emissions. Hybrid, did someone say hybrid ?… Car manufacturers have come up with a solution. At BMW, they call this big brother the X6 50i : it is sleek, handsome and fast. It comes with a battery and two electric motors giving 91 and 86 hp, in addition to the twin-turbo 407-hp V8 engine, and according to BMW both consumption and emissions have been cut by 20 %, thus avoiding the penalty of 2,600 € per year. For an extra 20,600 € you can now drive all electric - up to 60 km/hr over a distance of 2.5 km -, solely with the gasoline engine, or combining both modes of propulsion. The transmission of power goes almost unnoticed and affects neither the car’s performance nor the owner’s driving pleasure. For braking and decelerating, kinetic energy is converted into electricity. The X6 ActiveHybrid reaches a top speed of 236 km/hr - 250 km/hr in the case of the optional sport pack - and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/hr in 5.6 seconds. The standard V8 petrol version consumes 12.8 l/100 km ; this model makes do with only 9.9 l/100 km and emits 231 g of CO2/km. If the logic is taken a step further, the diesel model is cheaper to buy and run, but does not compete in terms of performance. “The X6 ActiveHybrid has no competition,” say the purists. Offering 485 hp, this model, available in France since April 2010, looks back at the Lexus RX 450h (299 hp), Mercedes ML 450 Hybrid (350 hp) and Porsche Cayenne Hybrid (374 hp) in its rear mirror. Recognizable for its domed hood, the X6 ActiveHybrid is in fact close to the concept car presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007. Its “ActiveHybrid” particularity is inscribed on the lower trim of the trunk, the front doors, the runningboard trim and the light alloy wheels. For the occasion, BMW has treated itself to a new coachwork colour, metallic Bluewater, and shown generosity when fitting out the standard version. Comfortable seats, automatic air conditioning, cruise control, Professional navigation system and Pack Distance obstacle detector are all on the list. Together with front and side airbags, head-guards, active head restraints up front, anti-demounting wheel rims, deflation indicator and adaptive directional head-lights. Among the options, the Nappa leather upholstery, sliding lift-up glass sunroof and the coupling system are worth mentioning. Nothing is ever perfect, not even the latest offering from the German manufacturer. We regret a certain weightiness when cornering, shock absorption which is less controlled than for the car’s predecessor and the 100-litre loss of capacity for the trunk (470 l), taken up by the batteries. Of course, one can also criticize the hefty price. But think of it as a sign of distinction : in fact, the X6 ActiveHybrid should not exceed 300 registrations here in France.
By Laetitia Rossi
