The BMW X6 may have invented the modern coupe SUV segment but it now finds itself with a glut of competition. Time, then, for an update.
The third-generation X6, based on the popular X5, is receiving a mid-life update to keep it fresh against rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe and Porsche Cayenne Coupe.
It’s expected to launch sometime during 2023.
Following in the footsteps to the previously spied X5 M prototype, the most apparent change to this X6 prototype are the slimmer headlights with a redesigned lighting signature.
There’s also be a new front bumper with reworked side air intakes. It doesn’t seem like the kidney grille is growing, though.
Although the sides are unchanged, the rear receives new, squared-off quad exhaust tips. New lighting signatures are expected at the rear as well, though the new units aren’t fitted to this particular prototype.
Even though we didn’t get a chance to see the inside of this X6 prototype, we’ve previously seen a spied prototype with the “curved dash” that houses a digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen in one assembly.
Previously spied BMW X6 prototype
It’s expected to be very similar to the all-electric iX, which uses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch central touchscreen.
BMW is rolling out this design feature in various sizes across its range and it’ll run on the latest iDrive OS8.0 infotainment software.
It’s unclear if there’ll be any changes to the X6 under the bonnet.
The X6 is currently offered with a range of petrol and diesel powertrains, including inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel (xDrive30d), inline six-cylinder turbo petrol (xDrive40i), and twin-turbo petrol V8 (M50i and M Competition) engines.
In other markets, a turbocharged four-cylinder petrol is also available.
The third-generation G01 X6 has been on sale in Australia since mid-2019 and is built on the modular CLAR platform. This architecture is also used on the BMW 5 Series, 7 Series, X3, X4, and X7, among others.
Not quite as popular as the related X5 wagon (729 sales), BMW has sold 111 X6s to the end of March 2022.
It outsold the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe (88) over the same period of time, but was outsold by the Porsche Cayenne Coupe (193).
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MORE: Everything BMW X6
