BMW Adds Three-Seat Rear Bench Option for the X6 and New Equipment Goodies for X5

Starting from April 2011, BMW X6 customers will be able to specify the crossover model with a three-seat rear bench. Up until now, the X6 was offered exclusively with a four-seat layout. The extra accommodation is available for all X6 models with the exception of the X6 ActiveHybrid, and can also be ordered for the X6 M. Besides the third seat that replaces the previous storage unit between the two rear passengers, the five-seat model also gets new leather options.

BMW also announced that the new batch of X6 models will feature shift paddles on the steering wheel whose operating logic follows the principle familiar from the M cars: for manual shifting of the eight-speed Sport automatic transmission, the right paddle is used for upshifts and the left for downshifts.

Furthermore, both the BMW X5 and X6 can be ordered with new Y-spoke design 20-inch alloy wheels shod in 275/40 and 315/35 front and rear tires respectively, plus a Comfort Access system that illuminates the car’s surroundings, and an updated range of ConnectedDrive services. The latter includes the BMW Apps option, which means that iPhone users will be able to access Facebook, Twitter and international radio stations, regardless of the car’s location.

VIDEO: BMW X6M 555HP V8 Turbo on the Race Track

Here's some new video footage of BMW's M-badged X6 SAV on the race track. Like its X5M twin, the X6M comes with a new 4.4-liter twin - turbo V8 engine delivering a maximum output of 555 horsepower and a peak torque of 680Nm or 501-lbs/ft. Power is distributed to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission with the Bavarian firm claiming that it's high-performance crossover accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in just 4.7 seconds. Hit the jump to watch the video or click here to read more about the X5M and X6M.

New BMW X6 xDrive35i and xDrive50i M Sport Packages Include Significant Power Upgrades

This fall will see the introduction of a new M Sport package for the BMW X6 xDrive35i and xDrive50i turbocharged gasoline models. What's interesting about this package is that, unlike other M Division kits that comprise mainly of styling upgrades and quite often slightly more aggressively tuned suspension and different wheels and tires, this one actually adds much in the way of performance.

More specifically, the M Sport Package sees the X6 xDrive35i gaining the same tweaked version of the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six found on the 740i that produces 326HP at 5,800 rpm and 450Nm of peak torque from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm. That's an additional 20HP and 50Nm of torque compared to the standard X6 xDrive35i.

The X6 xDrive50i (damn those marketing folks at BMW and their over-complicated naming systems...) gets an even greater power boost as the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8's output is lifted from 408HP to 446HP. In comparison, the new X6 M model's 4.4L V8 turbo makes 555 horsepower.

If we translated the German press release correctly (if not, we'll be much obliged if our German readers could take a look at it below and make any necessary corrections or/and additions), the M Sport Package for the X6 SAVs will also include a body kit, 20-inch alloy wheels and a sportier interior trim.

For the record, the vehicle pictured above is the 555HP X6 M variant as the Bavarian automaker did not disclose any photographs of the X6 with the M Sport Package.

BMW Z4M Roadster Cancelled?

If we are to believe a report from UK digital car magazine i-Motor, BMW has cancelled the development of an "M" version for the new Z4 roadster with the retractable hardtop because of the "ongoing financial crisis" and "lack of customer demand". Here's what the BMW spokesman -whose name was not disclosed- revealed to the British magazine: "Given the current economic crisis there is no business case for a full-on M version of the Z4".

If that's the case, then how can one explain the introduction of the X5M and X6M crossovers that are due to be unveiled this April?

Well, according to the unnamed spokesperson, the M-prepped variants of both the X5 and X6 were already under development and had been given the green light from the company's officials before the car market crashed down.

While we'll have to wait for some sort of official announcement from BMW to see whether or not the car has been truly canned, we must say that even though the X5 and X6M's development (may have) proceeded that of the Z4Ms, we fail to see the logic behind a decision that prefers two (totally unnecessary) M crossovers over an M roadster model, especially since the X5 and X6 are already offered with a mighty 408HP twin-turbo V8 engine.

Video: BMW X5 M and X6 M Prototypes with 500HP+ Bi-Turbo V8

As we have been officially informed from BMW's dedicated minisite, in less than three weeks time, on April 4, the Bavarian automaker will take the covers off the first ever 'M' variants of the X5 and X6 crossovers. While we've already seen official video clips of both prototype models, in one of the latest episodes of Grip, a German TV car show on RTL 2, we get the chance to see new footage of the X5 M and X6 M during the development phase of the two vehicles.

Both the X5 M and X6 M will be powered by a twin-scroll turbocharged V8 engine developing somewhere north of 500-horsepower. It should be noted that the same engine will replace BMW's naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V10 unit on the next-generation M5 and M6 models.

Via: Motor Spain