BMW has revealed its third generation X6 Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) and it will arrive in South Africa in November 2019. See further details below…

This is the new BMW X6 that will take the fight to its rivals which include the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, Audi Q8 and Porsche Cayenne Coupe.Perhaps the most striking part of the new X6’s styling is its kidney grille, which for the first time, can be optionally illuminated. Yes, you read that correctly, the grille actually lights up. This should not come as a surprise though, as the oversize grilles seen on the X7 and 7-Series have been a source of debate in recent times and this latest feature will undoubtedly fuel the flames and get people talking about the brand. BMW says that the grille can be turned on and off by opening and closing the car or it can be manually activated/deactivated.

In terms of dimensions, the X6 stands some 26 mm longer than before (4 935 mm), 15 mm wider (2 004 mm), 6 mm lower (1 696 mm) and with an extended wheelbase of 42 mm (2 975 mm). The X6 rides on 19-inch light alloy wheels as standard and wheel sizes ranging from 20 to 22-inches will be offered as an option. Adaptive LED BMW Laserlight headlights are also optional.

On the inside, the interior has been overhauled and redesigned and is upholstered in Vernasca leather upholstery as standard. The BMW Live Cockpit Professional combines a 12.3-inch hi-res instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch control display. This cabin looks familiar and shares many elements with its X5 and X7 siblings.

Standard driver assistance features include cruise control with braking function, collision and pedestrian warning with city braking function. Active cruise control will be optionally available as well as the Driving Assistant Professional package which includes features such as steering and lane control assistant, traffic jam assistant, lane keeping assistant, evasion assistant, rear collision warning, road priority warning, wrong-way driving warning, cross traffic warning, lane change warning, emergency stop assistant and reversing assistant.

In terms of engine choices, BMW South Africa confirmed that we'll be getting the X6 M50i and X6 M50d from launch. The 50i is a 4.4-litre V8 turbocharged petrol motor with 390 kW and 750 Nm, while the diesel-powered M50d packs 294 kW and 760 Nm. Power goes to an xDrive all-wheel-drive setup via an 8-speed automatic gearbox. BMW claims the petrol-powered X6 will hit 100 kph in 4.3 seconds, with the M50d doing the same sprint in a claimed 5.2 seconds.

As for the launch? Well, you can expect the new BMW X6 to touchdown in South Africa in November 2019.

Further Reading

BMW X5 M/X6 M Black Fire Edition Headed for SA

BMW X5 xDrive30d xLine (2019) Review

BMW adds mighty M50i engine to X5 and X7

BMW X5 (2018) Launch Review

BMW X7 (2019) Launch Review