Diabolical Diesel: The BMW X6 M50d

When BMW first released the X6 nearly ten years ago, they were concerned that it may steal some of the thunder from the X5, their flagship SUV. To help differentiate it from the X5 Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), they elected to call it a Sports Activity Coupé, or SAC. This helped justify the sloping rear-end that gives it a coupé-like silhouette, even if it isn't a coupé by the true definition of the word – clearly coupé doesn't translate well into German. But BMW needn't worry though, because as it happened, the X6 sold exceptionally well, without taking any sales away from their X5 range. Their latest BMW X6 M50d is the latest and most powerful diesel offering to date.

Confusing name.

While it was pretty simple to figure out what engine was powering what in the BMW folds a few years ago, things have changed somewhat. The final two numbers in their complex naming convention no longer indicate engine size, ie. 320i using a 2.0-liter engine or a 5 Series 535i using a 3.5-liter engine. Now, it sort of ranks their power output, but not directly either.

So a 340i 3 Series doesn't make 400hp and it isn't powered by a 4.0-liter engine, so what gives? It gets even more confusing when you look at the diesel offerings in the X6 range, there's the X6 xDrive 30d (not available locally though), X6 xDrive 40d and the X6 M50d, and they're all powered by the same 3.0-liter, straight-six turbo-diesel motor.

The trick here is fairly simple, actually. The 30d uses a single turbocharger and produces 180kW. The 40d employs two turbochargers and churns out 230kW. The M50d has three, yes THREE turbochargers and develops a meaty 280kW. The world makes sense again... well, sort of.

Using the X6 M50d to move mountains.

The power is certainly worth harping on about, because for a diesel SUV(sorry, SAC) that weighs 2260kg, it sure has a lot of get-up-and-go. BMW claims that it will do the 0 – 100km/h sprint in a mere 5.2-seconds, but I feel this is a tad optimistic and held ransom by the 8-speed Steptronic gearbox that is a little lazy to respond.

As mentioned, it produces 280kW or power, but it's the torque that truly impresses. Diesels are known for their high-torque outputs but when you're bashing out 740Nm, you do notice it. As a result, the X6 M50d has no problem chugging up hills in a higher than expected gear, nor will it struggle to tow a weight; I know this, I tested it with a car trailer. The M50d loved every minute of it. This isn't a sprinter, it's a power-lifter. Its unbraked towing capacity is limited to 750kg, but with a braked trailer, such as the one your boat should be resting on, you can pull a hefty 3500kg.

Fuel consumption isn't award-winning, but with this sort of power on hand, one can't expect it to be especially frugal. I managed to return decent figures of 9.2l/100km while BMW claims 6.6 on the combined cycle.

An imposing presence.

Make no bones about it, the X6 M50d has a presence on the road that is a little hard to ignore. It stands tall and wide, and with the M-kit most definitely has a stand-out aura in the world of hatchbacks and double-cabs.

I've never actually liked the styling of the X6, the front-end is OK, but it's the back-end that makes me squirm. The sloping gear glass makes it seem ungainly and less purposeful, as if it were merely a jacked-up GT sedan. I much rather prefer the X5 shape, but then again I guess that makes me one of those that would opt for the equivalent X5 over the X6. Different strokes and all that jazz.

While you could spec the X6 M50d with a set of 21-inch wheels for true gangster credibility, the standard fitment on the 50d is a set of twin-spoke 20-inch wheels. One may think that adorning a large, AWD SUV of this ilk with wheels this big and tyres this low in profile to be an exercise in redundancy, it works quite well in the rear world. The X6 M50d never said that it was going to conquer Sani Pass (although I doubt it would struggle), it knows that its primary stomping ground is the highways, byways and retail outlet parking lot. And for this, large hoops are fine.

Despite the dipped-in-rubber appearance of the wheels, the Adaptive M Suspension soaked up most, if not all, bumps and undulations with consummate ease. My only major criticism is that when fitted with mixed tyres (wider wheels and tyres at the rear and narrower up front), the back-end of the X6 tracks in a very noticeable way. Unnervingly so, actually. This sometimes feels like the car is raised too high and is rocking to and fro when on a slightly weathered road surface. Certainly not something that I would be able to live with, sadly.

Shortchanged on the interior.

While I have to admit to liking the interior colour schemes available from BMW, and enjoying the spec of our test car (BMW Exclusive leather Nappa in Cognac and Black), I couldn't help but feel that the X6 M50d is showing its age on the interior.

The design and layout is familiar and beautifully bolted together, with surfaces that are pleasing to the touch and seats that are comfortable and supportive. I have no gripes here, it does what it says on the tin and then some. My concern is the technology and convenience, an area where the X6 is starting to noticeably fall behind.

When you're dropping R1.5mil on a base model and speccing it to a further R1.7mil price tag, you expect a host of creature comforts. I know that this is a transitional phase for the model and that the tech we have available in the 5 Series and 7 Series will soon make its way into the X5/X6 range, but I can't help but think that it would then be best to wait for this, rather than fork out for the current iteration.

The gauge display is a digital interface, but shows considerably less information than its sedan brethren. The updated, tile-format iDrive system is not yet available on the X6 and neither is gesture control. You would be able to spec the X6 with Active Cruise Control but steering and lane control isn't an option yet.

If it was my money, I would splash out on the new 5 Series and spec it to the hilt. Sure I won't have the raised seating position. I may not end up with as much interior or packing space, but the drive will be better, equally as quick and a whole lot more convenient. I'll probably save a few bucks in the process.

BMW X6 M50d

Base price R1 536 500
As tested R1 706 256