Base-model BMW X6 lobs priced from $109,900

A DIESEL entry-level variant of BMW’s coupe-styled X6 SUV has finally landed in Australian showrooms priced from $109,900 plus on-road costs.

As GoAuto reported in March when BMW Group Australia announced the new base xDrive30 while applying price increases of $1100 to the previous entry-level petrol xDrive35i and diesel xDrive40d variants, the cost of entry to the X6 range is now lowered by $8600.

The xDrive30d also debuts a five-seat option for the previously four-seat only X6 range. The new rear bench retains a 60:40 split-fold function and gets a central three-point seatbelt. It also incorporates a centre armrest for outboard occupants to use when the middle place is empty.

Even with this extra nod to practicality, the base X6 remains a hefty $17,800 more expensive than the more capacious X5 xDrive30d with which it shares its 180kW/540Nm engine.

The 3.0-litre, six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine – which BMW says powers more than half of all X5s sold in Australia – is mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission and provides the X6 with a 0-100km/h time of 7.5 seconds.



That’s a tenth quicker than the boxier X5, achieved while returning identical combined fuel consumption of 7.4 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions of 195 grams per kilometre, aided by the fitment of low rolling resistance tyres and brake energy recuperation.

The $126,000 xDrive40d, which has the same cylinder count and displacement but produces 45kW and 60Nm more power and torque, lops a whole second of the 0-100km/h time yet consumes just 0.1L./100km more fuel and emits three grams more CO2 per kilometre.

BMW says the new base model’s arrival will broaden the X6’s customer appeal. If anything it should give X6 sales a much needed boost, given that they are down 33.3 per cent to the end of June this year on 134 units, following a big 34.7 per cent drop in 2010.

Standard kit on the xDrive30d includes sports seats and steering wheel with leather upholstery, automatic tailgate, head-up display, reversing camera with park distance control, satellite navigation and Bluetooth/USB connectivity.

External highlights include 19-inch alloy wheels and bi-Xenon headlights with high-beam assist, while a $5000 optional sports pack upgrades to 20-inch wheels, anthracite roof-lining and high-gloss window surrounds.

BMW also added a $74,900 six-pot diesel flagship to its X3 SUV line-up this week, its engine producing 190kW and 560Nm – 10kW and 20Nm more than the X5/X6, although the X5 and X6 engines produce peak torque over a wider rev range, which helps to shift the extra 275kg of weight.

BMW X6pricing:&nbsp
xDrive30d	$109,900
xDrive35i &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp &nbsp	$119,600
xDrive40d	$126,000
xDrive50i	$149,000
X6 M	$185,000