The new BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupé heralds the dawn of a new era in motoring. Never before have the elegant flowing lines of a coupé been combined with the powerful presence of a four-wheel drive model. The BMW X6 is a unique proposition offering owners the safety and convenience of a command driving position with the on-road performance of a sports car, all wrapped in the svelte lines of a coupé.

For the first time in BMW's history, an entire model range is turbocharged with the X6 offering a quartet of forced induction powerplants. The range flagship is an all-new twin-turbocharged V8 producing 408hp at 5,500rpm. The 4,395cc engine makes the BMW X6 xDrive50i the most powerful production X model BMW has ever produced.

Its 600Nm of torque from 1,800rpm through to 4,500rpm propels the X6 from zero to 62mph in 5.4 seconds. Top speed has been electronically-limited to 155mph. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 22.6mpg. To optimise packaging, the configuration of the new V8 engine is unique too. It is the first engine in the world to locate twin-turbochargers and a catalytic converter within the vee of the engine.

The revolutionary new engine design allowed engineers to fit the twin-turbochargers needed for increased performance without having to reconfigure the double wishbone front suspension. The BMW X6 is aimed at the enthusiastic driver and, courtesy of BMW's EfficientDynamics technology, its all round performance is enhanced by a number of intelligent features.

Brake Energy Regeneration, incorporating an Intelligent Alternator Control and an Absorbent Glass Mat battery to recycle previously lost energy, ensures unrivalled fuel consumption in the X6. This is achieved as the alternator reduces drag on the engine by only engaging when required to charge the battery.

Normally a traditional alternator is constantly draining power from the engine. Additionally, the energy generated by the engine on over-run (under braking or descending a hill) was also previously wasted. Now this lost energy is used by the alternator to charge the battery.

Reduced rolling resistance tyres featuring special heat resistant, anti-distortion materials in the tread and sidewalls lower emissions and improve fuel efficiency on the X6. The Sports Activity Coupé comes with low friction transmission fluids for efficient running and active aerodynamics to regulate air flow to the engine. This enables the engine to always work at its optimum efficiency for the benefit of power and economy.

Petrol-powered X6s also feature high-precision direct injection for the optimum in combustion characteristics.

Twinned with BMW's benchmark xDrive four-wheel drive system, Dynamic Performance Control makes its world debut on the BMW X6. Dynamic Performance Control works by spreading drive forces from side to side at the two rear wheels as required in a given situation.

The exterior design of the X6 is a bold statement of that customer intent. From the front, large air intakes positioned on the outer reaches of the front bumper highlight the cooling requirements of the high-performance engine. The contour of the central air intake, in addition, visually widens the car for a more sporting appearance.

From the side, the unique design and proportions of the BMW X6 are striking. Its tapering roofline and long rear body overhang give the car a stretched coupé silhouette. To accentuate this, the roofline reaches its highest point directly behind the steering wheel tapering off to the rear to emphasise the dynamic wedge shape of the car. Flared wheel arches, standard 19-inch light-alloy wheels and a wide rear track all serve to underscore the vehicle's sporting intent.

All BMW X6s models come with a wealth of equipment as standard including 19-inch alloy wheels, Dynamic Performance Control, xDrive four-wheel drive, Dynamic Stability Control+, xenon headlights, front and rear Park Distance Control, Sports suspension and a six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddles. Inside, standard equipment highlights include part electric seat adjustment, 6.5-inch colour display screen with iDrive controller, two-zone climate control and ISOFIX child seat attachments in the rear.