And it is, for the simple reason that BMW coined the term “Sports Activity Vehicle” or SAV specifically for the X6, and no other vehicle has yet been placed in that particular niche.
Semantics aside, the new BMW ActiveHybrid X6 features a drive system consisting of a 300 kW 4,4-litre V8 power unit with twin turbochargers and two electric motors developing 67 kW and 63 kW respectively. Maximum system output is 357 kW and peak torque is 780 Nm, making it the most powerful hybrid vehicle in the world.
The hybrid X6 can run either on electric power alone (up to speeds of 60km/h), petrol power alone, or a combination of the two. Acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h comes in 5.6 seconds, while average fuel consumption in the EU5 test cycle is 9.9 litres/100 km, and the CO2 emission rating is 231 grams/kilometre.
All-wheel drive is retained in the hybrid model of the X6 with a rear/front split of 60/40 under normal conditions, but able to vary power-supply in mere fractions of a second.
Electric power is supplied by a high-voltage 2.4 kW nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery. The battery is housed in a secure steel casing and is fitted firmly inside the car, just above the rear axle at an extremely safe point for the event of a collision. The status of the storage modules is constantly supervised by integrated safety electronics, the driver being informed immediately of any malfunction and, wherever necessary, the entire system being automatically discharged and deactivated.
