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What is it?

This is the BMW ActiveHybrid X6, and before we go any further let’s get the disappointment out of the way. Like the ActiveHybrid 7-series we drove last week, it won’t be coming to the UK because Brits like diesels too much. In the US, however, oil-burners are hard to shift, which explains why the new hybrid BMWs exist.

Under the bonnet, which is differentiated from standard versions of the X6 by a bulge necessitated by a power electronics package, sits a modified...Read the full article

BMW should use hybrid technology on its M-cars. It will allow them to fit cars with taller gears, as they said they need to in order to increase fuel economy, while keeping high revving naturally aspired engines with low torque, which implies lighter mechanics. Hybrid too is fit for an M, as the throttle response is or gets even sharper. BMW M is going the forced-induction, auto transmission and SUV way. Too much AMG way IMO! Alpina had forced induction sports cars, sold by BMW dealers. Why not keep M true to its root? Pity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Well the locals love X6 's here in the ME as they have loads of money and go in for bling in a big way. Hummers and other monster 4x4s are popular too.

However I think BMW are on the wrong track. Just look at that price !  I have to say I find X6's look scaringly heavy. How about binning the hybrid tech and weight and focus on making the cars lighter and sleeker in the interests of saving fuel and enhancing performance.

You seem to be very good at this with your small saloons so how about paring some lard off this monster as well.

250kg added to the kerb weight with economy nowhere near as good as the diesel version? Doesn't make much sense.

Ok, so the X6 hybrid is a lot faster than the diesel and it allows lovers of V8 engines to drive this car with a bit less guilt, but if you like the X6, the diesel makes a lot more sense and if you must have a V8, go for the normal version which weights a lot less.

Now if BMW could make this hybrid system weight a lot less, that might be a different matter.

I think this is the most pointless car in existence.  The X6 body is ugly and cramped in comparison with any other SUV, while the abysmal economy and 'green' credentials are laughable in the face of twin-turbocharged and urea-injected diesel engines.

I just don't get this car. It seems to be a similar environmental fraud to the Prius and Lexus Hybrids. If BMW is serious about environmental issues, and to date the efficient dynamics have led the way, why put such technology on such a high performance vehicle. If its to please americans why bother? Lets educate them instead to have smaller engines or the diesels which seem to achieve so much better real results. It seems to be Kentucky Fried Chicken all over again! they rebranded to KFC so americans could feel better by dropping the Fried! What interests me is a colleague and I have a choice of vehicles. He had a 3 litre Jaguar S-Type Petrol which did 25mpg puffed out smoke and his family said it had to go as un-environmentally friendly. So he bought a Lexus GS Hybrid. The boot was smaller than a Clio because of the batteries!. As a family when they went out as a family with luggage they had to take his wife's Galaxy, and he got 26mpg. But it went quickly and reliably. Throughout this I have had a 530d Touring. I regularly travel 4 up with luggage and average 39mpg. Its quick reliable and puts a smile on your face! On a relaxing trip it will do 45mpg by cruising at 70mph in 6th gear. If BMW must change direction lets see a full environmental audit to prove they are the answer rather the question. Why?

Dark Isle:

 

I think this is the most pointless car in existence...

Interesting point, but I think I've heard it mentioned before somewhere; just can't think where.....

BMWdriver:

So he bought a Lexus GS Hybrid. The boot was smaller than a Clio because of the batteries!. As a family when they went out as a family with luggage they had to take his wife's Galaxy, and he got 26mpg. But it went quickly and reliably. Throughout this I have had a 530d Touring. I regularly travel 4 up with luggage and average 39mpg. Its quick reliable and puts a smile on your face! On a relaxing trip it will do 45mpg by cruising at 70mph in 6th gear. If BMW must change direction lets see a full environmental audit to prove they are the answer rather the question. Why?

Can anyone tell me why we have not seen a Diesel Hybrid. I would have thought that the PSA or Fiat or Merc would launch one. I would note that Premium Hybrids are not known for their actual MPG prowess so the choice of a heavy Hybrid like the Lexus was a dead duck choice to begin with. I would suspect that Urban driving MPG returns would be better. Our Holiday jaunts in a fully laden car are only improved by often doing more safe-stready motorway driving than the norm. Next time someone meets a designer from BMW -ask about the X6 and get the real answer. Its more a competitor in the US to the Q7 or larger Lexus Crossovers that have replaced the crap trucks in drag they bought till oil and cash turned out not to be almost free. Like Fiat at Rust, Alfa and reliability/poor dealerships, German cars and dark interiors-firm rides etc, Diesel in the states=bad air quality and pumps are in the same place as for trucks so it will take US carmakers and Toyota/Honda to convince Joe Washington to go for diesel versus plugging into cheap electricity costs.

I have to applaud BMW for launching a proper hybrid at last, with the ability to drive on battery power alone. It's just a shame it has to be this monster. I had to laugh at the power bulge required to house the electronics. For such a huge vehicle, you'd think there would be sufficient space inside to house a control box or two.

This is an utterly ridiculous car - technologically, it makes a step backwards, not a step forwards.

I would sooner see someone buy an X6 M and confess that they don't give a monkeys than buy one of these and pretend that they do.

How can BMW show off its EfficientDynamics concept and then spit this out?!!

Whilst I agree that these cars are wasteful, surely it's preferable to make some attempt to cut fuel consumption than none at all?

So a 2.5 ton SUV with 22mpg, where is the progress? Surely the Americans are not this stupid as BMW think?

No wonder the hype of their supercar, cos they're losing the plot with their normal 'hybrids' like this.

Suddenly Lexus have a point now don't they?