I guess I'm their target market.
You hit the nail on the head. In a perfect world I'd have two roundels in the garage. I'm sure I don't have to tell you guys which two :rofl: It's only me and two cars is not in the budget right now. I've been driving an SUV from before they called it that. 1991 was my first "truck" and I love the higher seating which brings better field of vision and easy in and out. Legs, heels and a skirt make for an awkward exit from a low sitting car in public places. Then there's the AWD....From a practical standpoint a SUV works for me, but I want more...I want performance damn it! I want a 6er that's higher with AWD. I think I've got it.

I understand the logic of taking a single wheelbase architecture and plonking as many variants on it as possible for the R & D savings per unit, but I really don't see how a product like this (a hatch back on stilts) is justifiable in the long term.

The X1? I understand is the same thing again but with a bigger boot.

Do they really believe there are enough people out there wanting a performance car that cannot opt for an M3,5,6 because it's they are too low to the ground?

Wasn't the small SUV for the weekend and 'performance handling' called an X3?

Methinks this could end up being a GM/Ford 'make too many models/devalue the brand' if they're not careful........

I think it's pretty average looking too.

Cheers

This car is going to be in a much higher class than the X3. It's like comparing a 328 to a 650. Not to mention that there will be a very mean ///M version of the X6, earlier reports I think said a V10 pumping out 600hp. Also, an X3 is still more an SUV than anything else, lots of cargo space, moderate ofroad capability etc etc.

I think people are forgetting the fact that the X6 will be larger than the X5 in every dimension besides height, in which it will sit lower. Think about it - how many people thought the CLS was going to be a disaster? Look what happened. The same will go for this car. And look at the SUV obsessed/performance obsessed America, this car merges both what most suburban families need and demand in a high class car. They get space, height, visibility, and mean performance.

This car will do great.

I agree they are targetting a different demographic than the X3. An AWD 6 coupe with a hatchback just seems like a limited audience vehicle. The 6 just hasn't done that well. This one may be larger than the X5 in every dimension except height, but that is the outside. The interior is described as having 'limited space'. Seems like a 2+2 more than a 4 seater. While it merges height, visibility, and all weather performance, it certainly doesn't deliver on space. I don't think it is setting out to be a family car, more of a DINK or well-heeled single market. I wish them all the best with it. The last company that tried this called it an Eagle. That was a competent car, in a very different price bracket but with the same design concept. Part of the eventual ending of that line had to do with lack of brand focus. That is what we don't want to see happen here.

In any case, I think that cmyX5go should get an M version, with an Individual interior, perhaps walnut trim.

totally understand what you're saying, but I guess I'm a little biased since I feel as though this car is perfect for me. I mean, I have an X5 which I love, I just wish I had more performance and handling ability, and the one thing I'm willing to give up for that is space.... you see why I think this car works?

Maybe it's just me... am I the only one out there?

On a 1-10 scale if 1 is a car and 10 is an SUV, the E53 was a 5. The E70 is a 7 and the X6 will be a 3.

It's a solid marketing strategy imo because they're catering to their highest-volume market by thoroughly filling in the segment in demand. Americans are clearly obsessed with ride height, as BMW sales have nearly doubled since the introduction of the E53.

What will determine the X6's success is how well they execute the concept. It'll only do well if it delivers as much performance and style, as it sacrifices in utility.

Exactly.

How does the CLS enter into this conversation?

It's a RWD sedan, made controversial only because Mercedes elected to call it a coupe when it's clearly a sedan in a visual sense. Most people questioned the logic of having only 4 usable seats in a 4 door car. Now that the CL coupes are on the market, it's cutting into the CLS sales big time - to the tune of a 26% drop in CLS sales from June 07 vs June 06.

I have to agree with LVR. I originally thought the X6 would be slotted to do battle with Audi A6 and S6 Quattros. Personally, I don't want to be driving a sedan with a 4 inch fender to tire gap. I thought the X5 to be an excellent compromise between sport and utility.

So what are the demographics of the market who wants a $60,000 SAC hatchback over a $60,000 SAV wagon?

The CLS comparison is ludicrous, but calling X6 an A6 competitor is even more far fetched. The 5-series has always been fighting that battle, and it easily does so now with the xi models.

You guys are completely missing the point of this vehicle. The demographic who wants an SAC is exactly the same as the one that wants a wagon! But, we don't live in Europe or any other part of the world. Cue ride height. Wagons have always done exceptionally dismally in America- This is BMW's solution. Like I said before, this is the next gen E53: higher than a 5-iT, solid driving dynamics, no utility.

If I had, had my way, my parents would've bought a 530/540iT instead of the E53 back in the day.

So where does that leave someone like me?

I'm 33 years old and currently drive a e53, 4.8is. I don't want an SUV that's "more SUV like (e70)," nor do I want a SUV that doesn't have 5 seats and room for luggage (X6)

I have a Porsche in the garage and don't need another sports car.. I also don't want an X5 that's been more skewed to the "soccer mom's"..

So basically, BMW has designed two new vehicle's, e70 X5 and X6, neither of which appeal to me. I am on my second X5 and they have built two platforms that don't fit either of my needs or wants.

So what does that mean? That means that BMW's SUV/SAV platforms, that I have been driving for 8 years, a five series on steroids, does not exist anymore. BMW is pushing me into the arms of a Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

- Or maybe BMW will get off it's ass and decide to make a ///X5 (M)... And when are we going to get the "is" already?? It's not like they are rolling out a new platform.. They just need to make a sportier version..

yes, I know they will be making an X6.. But I can't load three passengers in the back seat of an X6, with luggage, and drive to Vegas.

Bad form BMW... Bad form !!

B