The Bold And The Very Fast: 2020 BMW X6 M50i Lands On Home Soil

Say the words crossover coupe, or SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) as dealers like to call it, and one of the first models that pops to mind is the BMW X6. And rightly so, as this was the model that practically invented the whole niche.

The Germans launched the first generation 11 years ago, and its commercial success forced arch rivals Mercedes-Benz and Audi to come up with their own entries, the GLE Coupe and the Q8 – and, of course, there’s a whole lot of other manufacturers, premium or not, who followed suit.

The third-gen X6 premiered a couple of months ago and made its public debut at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show today. It sports a more aggressive look than its predecessor, with a larger grille, redesigned lighting units, sloping roofline with a double-bubble design and a couple of thin spoilers, and several large wheel options to go with that big body.

Also Read: 2020 BMW X6 Versus Its Predecessor: Should You Want To Upgrade?

Designed to cocoon occupants, the interior is very similar to the latest X5, bar a few visual changes here and there. The quality of the materials is top-notch and there’s a latest-gen infotainment system and a digital instrument cluster, each with a 12.3-inch display; options include features such as heated and cooled cup holders, four-zone climate control, a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond premium sound system, head-up display, panoramic glass roof and Merino leather.

You have probably noticed the M50i badge on the tailgate of the X6 displayed at Frankfurt, which, in BMW’s naming scheme, signals the presence of a 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8 under the hood. This unit churns out 530 PS (523 hp / 390 kW) and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque, and allows for a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in just 4.2 seconds.

The M50i will lead the new X6 pack until the X6 M arrives, probably before the end of the year or in early 2020. The third-gen X6 will launch in the U.S. in November, with prices starting at $65,295 for the regular variant and $86,645 for the M50i, destination charge included.