If you need the space, you need something suv-like. Sounds like an E70 of some sort fits your needs. It's hands down the best driving suv out there. An M5 wagon might be something worth considering too.

I agree it doesn't make sense - but thats just the way the American market works...

Wagon's just don't sell here - they have a negative stigma associated with them - for reasons I can't seem to understand...

Therefore, BMW is more then happy to roll in the profits by building such a car that caters to illogical American tastes on American soil. Makes perfect sense to BMW, makes perfect sense to me (even though for logical reasons - it shouldn't)...

If you think I'm about to go from a 360hp X5 4.8is to a de-tuned 350hp 4.8i you are smoking crack.
And you said it yourself, the new X5 is more SUV like and less sporty than the e53..
Do you really think if I'm driving the "is" version, I would be happy with that new baby hauler they call the e70? Especially in a de-tuned version of an engine that I already have?

Yes, I know they will eventually come out with a new "is" version.. But it will be a "is" version of a vehicle that was designed (as stated, on the 0-10 scale... As a 7) as more of a "soccer mom" car.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...brary-3134.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...brary-3148.jpg

The new X5 is more like a Escalade and less like a 5 series sedan..
I think the Porsche Cayenne Turbo is the smarter choice now..

B

I'm not smoking jack. I said the E70 fits your bill, not specifically the 4.8i. You keep saying that it's a soccermom car, but clearly it has good driving manners. You also said you need the space for 5 people and luggage. Does that qualify you as a 'soccermom' then? What exactly is a soccermom vehicle, and what about the E70 makes it so?

I don't see the new X5 being any more soccermom than the Cayenne is, in fact, I always thought the E53 sportier than the Cayenne (turbo exempt). The Cayenne was always heavier and had much much better utility, which is what the E70 has become. Why not wait for the X5is to come and test it against the turbo, it'll definitely be cheaper, with a much nicer interior IMO...

whatever, either car will make you happy.

Any new pics of the X6? ;)

neat car....

I love the concept of a performance SAV, but I was expecting the X6 to be something more aggressive looking than the one shown in the pictures. Hopefully the final product will look different (a lot different).

Online Article in today's 'The Age' paper

BMW's new X6 4WD has been caught almost undisguised, revealing a 4WD that will be both sportier looking and more performance focused than the X5 on which it's based. By JEZ SPINKS.

http://img.drive.com.au/drive_images...X6-003_m_m.jpg http://img.drive.com.au/drive_images...X6-003_t_t.jpghttp://img.drive.com.au/drive_images...X6-001_m_t.jpghttp://img.drive.com.au/drive_images...X6-002_m_t.jpghttp://img.drive.com.au/drive_images...X6-005_m_t.jpghttp://img.drive.com.au/drive_images...X6-006_m_t.jpg



These are the best pictures yet of BMW's new take on 4WDs – the coupe-style X6.
The five-door X6's sloping rear roofline is revealed for the first time in our spy pictures, following secret video footage of heavily disguised prototypes.
BMW's new X6 is the 4WD equivalent of Mercedes-Benz's CLS coupe-style sedan, and will create a new niche in the popular off-roader segment when it launches in Europe mid-2008. The X6 will reach Australia in the last quarter of 2008, priced higher than corresponding X5 models that range between $85,000 and $118,000.
The X6, which will be unveiled first in concept form at this September's Frankfurt motor show, is based heavily on BMW's X5 luxury 4WD but its dimensions are expected to be slightly longer and lower.
BMW Australia managing director Guenther Seemann says the X6 will be a 4WD that appeals to driving enthusiasts.
"We believe sports car fanatics who hadn't previously considered buying a 4WD before will be very much open to trying such a vehicle [as the X6]," says Seemann.
"We will create a new niche with this car, and new concepts and premium brands are very hot [at the moment]."
The X6 will feature the six-cylinder diesel/petrol and V8 petrol engines from the X5 range, but the 4WD's sportier focus means higher-performance engines will also be offered.

It's not far-fetched to suggest the German car maker might install in the X6 a detuned version of the V10 that powers the M5 and M6, although BMW has yet to attach its revered 'M' badge to either of its current 4WDs, the X3 and X5.

The spy photos suggest the X6 will need to sell on performance rather than practicality, not least because this 4WD is expected to seat only four passengers compared with the five- or seven-seat X5.

That sloping rear roofline is likely to compromise rear headroom and luggage space compared with the X5. Unlike the X5's relatively flat roof, the X6's starts a downward curve from the B-pillar before blending into the rising waistline and rear tail-light section.

http://img.drive.com.au/drive_images...X6-006_m_t.jpghttp://img.drive.com.au/drive_images...X6-005_m_t.jpghttp://img.drive.com.au/drive_images...X6-002_m_t.jpghttp://img.drive.com.au/drive_images...X6-001_m_t.jpg

The mildly disguised X6 in our photos show the new 4WD will also differ visually from the X5 in other details, including foglights housed in the lower front bumper rather than the bodywork. At the other end, a rear diffuser is evident despite the black camouflage.
The X5 is already considered the benchmark for 4WD on-road handling, and it makes sense that BMW's engineers will aim to make the more performance-focused X6 even better.
BMW Australia spokesperson Toni Andreevski expects the X6 to sell well locally.
"The X6 will be a good volume model for Australia - not volume in X5 terms, but niche volume in comparison," says Andreevski.
"In recent years there has been a [buyer] swing towards sports activity vehicles, and the X6 will offer a 4WD that is not only sportier looking but also a sportier drive [than a typical 4WD]."

Cheers

Does anyone know when the X6 is likely hit the market? Scott?

My lease is up in March, and I'm hoping it'll be out by then, if not i'll just extend for a year I guess, by then the rates will be better I bet.

So anyone got some info?

Your option is the "is" version of X5, which will have twin-turbo V8. Don't need 3rd row and it will have the M-package. Trust me, you will like it.

X5 has grown because X3 has grown and 2nd gen X3 will be even better. BTW, X3 also seats 5 and has room for luggage. ;)


First quarter of 2008. Press release and official pics coming in October after they show the concept at Frankfurt in September. Right now we are waiting for a mysterious ;) ///M car press release next month.