THE 2022 BMW X6 M50I

BMW revealed their intent to dominate the mid-sized SUV segment with the unveiling of their new X6 range.

Officially debuting in April 2008, the first-generation BMW X6 was the originator of the Sports Activity Coupé (SAC). The enthusiastic response from the general public led to the production of the X6 M as well as the ActiveHybrid X6 in 2009. The second-generation followed in 2014 and the third in 2020. Now, in 2022, BMW have launched their new third-generation offering, the BMW X6 M50i. This modern model is already attracting plenty of positive attention in the mid-sized luxury crossover SUV segment and, compliments of the outstanding team at Alfardan Automobiles – BMW Group Importer, FACT Magazine’s team were fortunate enough to get their hands on this new creation.

There is no doubt the latest X6 is a real head-turner. This thirdgeneration model has a clean and exclusive look, giving it a confident and commanding presence. The sporty, yet luxurious M50i is a little longer and a little wider than its predecessor, adding to its already muscular stance. The large, single frame BMW kidney grille drew our attention to the front end of the vehicle, where adaptive LED headlights underscore the exclusivity of this SUV.

The flanks are defined by a crisply drawn character line running from front to rear, along with the dynamically designed roofline. Burly fenders house 20-inch light-alloy wheels that are fitted as standard, a feature that only enhanced our desire to get this Sports Activity Coupé (SAC) out onto the roads. At the back end, a subtle roof spoiler along with a hatch spoiler hint at the vehicle’s athletic capabilities, whilst the elongated adaptive LED brake lights along with the sport dual-exit exhaust system, add further touches of class to an already outstanding exterior design.

Shifting our collective attention to the interior, we were welcomed by a modern and spacious cabin with plenty of sporty flair. As you would expect, BMW have spared no expense in the use of highend materials and quality finishes throughout the vehicle. We found the standard 16-way power front seats for both driver and front passenger to be both supportive and very comfortable. The ergonomically designed cockpit ensures all control elements are within easy reach of the driver with the sport steering wheel itself feeling perfect in hand.

Due to the sloping roofline of the X6, tall adults may find the headroom to be a little limited above the rear seating, however, average sized adults and children will find plenty of room on offer. The large panoramic glass sunroof lets in an abundance of natural light, creating a greater sense of space within the M50i. The boot has a capacity of 580-litres, an area that can be increased to 1,530-litres with the rear seats folded flat. Other notable standard internal features include four-zone automatic climate control, thermoelectric cup holders and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System.

Anyone driving the new M50i will be aided by BMW Intelligent Personal Assist. An intelligent digital character responds to the vocal prompt of “Hey BMW” and can explain all manner of different functions, provide up-to-date information as well as generally assist the driver.

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional combines a new display and operating concept that boasts a greater level of connectivity. Included in this setup is a high-resolution instrument cluster and a control display, both of which come with 12.3-inch (diagonal) touchscreens. Along with the impressive iDrive 7.0 operating system, the infotainment setup also includes HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio and compatibility with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Thoroughly impressed by both exterior and interior designs, it was time to focus our attention on performance. The sound of the 4.4-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine brought a smile to all within earshot and we immediately felt the responsive nature of this high-performance machine. The remarkable engine, combined with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, enables the M50i to generate 523hp and 553lb-ft of torque. This allows the SUV to surge from 0-100km/h in just 4.3 seconds and to reach an electronically capped top speed of 250km/h.

To tame the abundance of power and acceleration produced by the M50i, BMW have included adaptive sport suspension and upgraded braking systems. These supreme systems, along with launch control and exceptional handling capabilities, make the M50i an absolute joy to drive and we received plenty of admiring looks when we made our way through the busy city streets of Doha. BMW have also made sure to include an extensive range of safety and assistance features. These include Active Cruise Control, Collision and Pedestrian Warning, Steering Assist, Lane Control Assistant, Traffic Jam Assist, rear collision warning, road priority warning, Lane Change Warning, Emergency Stop Assistant, airbags throughout the vehicle and so much more.

We can only encourage all those looking to purchase a superior Sports Activity Coupé to book a test drive of their own. ✤

GO: CALL ALFARDAN AUTOMOBILES ON 4447 7577 FOR MORE INFORMATION.