MORE than a few jaws dropped when BMW ripped the covers off its X6 concept at the 2007 Frankfurt motor show, with a number of pundits left scratching their heads and asking ‘what is it?’

It is, according to its maker, a Sports Activity Vehicle (SAC). A mash-up of a high-riding five-door SUV and a sports coupe, the X6 quickly became a sales success with 260,000 sold worldwide since it went on sale in 2008.

BMW has just launched the second-generation version of its X6 in Australia, and while it is expecting a slight sales boost, the jacked-up model will remain a niche offering here.

Of course the X6 is about to face its first major rival in the shape of the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe later this year, but BMW says it is welcoming the competition.

X6 version 2.0 gains a heap of extra standard gear over the old model and performance and fuel figures have improved almost across the board, but has BMW done enough to ensure the X6 remains the king of the SUV-cum-coupe castle?

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