BMW shows new X6 SAV

BMW today officially took the wraps off the refreshed 2013 BMW X6 arriving at dealers this spring. The X6, which BMW calls the world’s first ever “Sports Activity Coupe,” has received design updates and new features.

Since its introduction three years ago, the X6 has found more than 150,000 new homes, including about 20,000 in the U.S. BMW North America sold 6,192 X6s here last year, down one percent from 2010. The X6, which starts at about $60,000 for the base model and runs up to $90,000 for the M version, is the lowest-volume model in BMW’s line of all-wheel-drive crossovers.

The standard foglights are now set in matte finish surrounds in the upper area of the outer air inlets, emphasizing the width of the vehicle. BMW’s trademark kidney grille has received some tweaks.

For those wishing the latest in lighting technology, the X6 is now available with adaptive LED headlights instead of the standard Xenon units, a first in the segment. There are also LEDs at the other end.

There are three new paint colors: Marrakesh Brown metallic, Orion Silver metallic and Midnight Blue metallic. Inside, vermilion red has been added to the available colors for the standard leather upholstery and upgraded Nappa Leather upholstery in Ivory White is a new option.

19-inch light alloy wheels are now standard on the X6 xDrive 50i.

The new BMW X6 comes standard as a four-seat model. A three-seat rear bench is available as an option.

The BMW X6 will again be offered in two models in the US, the X6 xDrive50i with a 4.4-liter, 400-horsepower TwinPower Turbo V8 and the X6 xDrive35i with the 300-horsepower TwinPower Turbo inline-6. Both are mated to BMW’s 8-speed automatic transmission.