[GreekboyD]

BMW is planning to introduce a new BMW X6 within the next 18 months in direct response to a raft of similarly conceived four-wheel-drives already confirmed by rivals such as Audi, Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz.

The new X6 is based around a shortened version of the newly engineered monocoque platform found beneath the next X5, which is due for UK launch later this year. Described by insiders as being more sophisticated than that used by the first-generation X6, the composite steel structure is claimed to bring significant weight savingsdue to the use of a higher percentage of hot-formed high-strength alloys.

Power for the new X6 will come from a range of new or upgraded twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol, sequential twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre diesel and tri-turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engines, as well as revised twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 petrol units in both standard and M division guises. All will benefit from incremental increases in power over today’s units and be mated to a standard eight-speed automatic gearbox.



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