2013 BMW X6 And X6 M Update On Sale In Australia From Mid-2012

BMW's big X6 "Sports Activity Vehicle" has come in for a 2012 upgrade, picking up a modest facelift, new technologies and the carmaker's new M Performance package.

Spot-the-difference styling tweaks include a lightly updated grille, along with restyled foglight housings, wrapped in a more prominent satin silver garnish. 

The X6 gets new adaptive full-LED headlights as an option, upgradeable from the standard-fit Xenon lights, and there is also a new twin-bar LED design for the taillights.

Mechanically, the updated X6 will continue with its existing powertrain line-up, including the xDrive50i's 300kW 4.4 litre V8 and the 225kW inline-six driving the xDrive35i. The current eight-speed automatic transmission will also carry over.

BMW's new M Performance package has been added to the updated X6's options list however, with the xDrive35i gaining an additional 12kW and 40Nm of torque, while the V8 picks up a bonus 30kW and 40Nm.

The M Performance range also debuts a new triple-turbo 3.0 litre six-cylinder diesel engine, marking the launch of the top-end X6 M50d.

The new mill kicks out 280kW and 740Nm of torque, making for a 55kW and 140Nm boost over the current xDrive40d model.

The X6 M50d lists a 0-100km time of 5.3 seconds, with fuel consumption listed at 7.7 l/100km. (read more about the M Performance diesel models here.)

The updated X6 gains new exterior colours, with the arrival of Orion Silver, Midnight Blue  and Marrakesh Brown. Inside, there is new Vermilion Red Nevada leather and Ivory White Nappa leather.

The range-topping X6 M gains the same styling and interior upgrades for 2012, while the current 408kW and 680Nm 4.4 litre twin-turbo V8 will carry over unchanged.

Australia

Speaking with TMR today, BMW Australia's Scott Croaker confirmed that the updated X6 range, along with the M Performance variants, are expected to make their local debut in mid-2012.

Australian specifications and pricing will be revealed closer to launch.