The BMW X6 has never been a sensible SUV. Ever since the first generation arrived, it has divided opinions with its sloping roofline, muscular proportions, and unapologetically bold styling. But that has always been the point. The X6 was never designed to blend into the background.
Now, BMW has brought the updated X6 M60i xDrive to India, and if anything, it leans even further into its larger-than-life personality. Priced at ₹1.77 crore (ex-showroom), the flagship Sports Activity Coupé arrives as a completely built-up unit and packs the most powerful V8 engine currently available in its segment.
Visually, the new X6 doesn’t stray far from the formula that has made it such a recognisable sight on the road. The signature coupé roofline remains intact, flowing into a broad rear end that gives the SUV an unmistakably athletic stance. Up front, slimmer Adaptive LED headlamps with arrow-shaped daytime running lights sharpen the face, while the gloss black kidney grille, complete with vertical double slats and M badging, makes it clear that this isn’t your average luxury SUV.
BMW has also fitted the X6 M60i with the M Sport Package Pro as standard. That brings red-painted M Sport brake callipers, a quad-exit M Sport exhaust, high-gloss black exterior trim, a rear spoiler and 21-inch M alloy wheels wrapped in run-flat tyres. The result is a car that looks every bit as aggressive as its performance figures suggest.
Step inside and the cabin follows BMW’s latest design philosophy. Dominating the dashboard is the now-familiar Curved Display, which combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch central touchscreen beneath a single glass panel. The clean layout is complemented by illuminated M trim, fine wood inserts and ambient lighting, giving the cabin a premium feel without becoming overly complicated.
Comfort hasn’t taken a back seat either. The front seats come with ventilation, lumbar support and electric adjustment as standard, while buyers can also opt for massage functions to make long journeys that little bit more relaxing. A 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system, soft-close doors and optional Crafted Clarity glass controls add another layer of luxury to the experience.
Of course, the biggest talking point sits beneath the bonnet.
Power comes from a newly developed 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system. The unit develops 522.7 bhp and 76.5 kgm of torque, sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic gearbox. BMW claims the X6 M60i can sprint from 0 to 100kmph in just 4.3 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250kmph.
Helping put that performance to the road is BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, which features a rear-biased setup for a sportier driving experience. Adaptive M Suspension, Integral Active Steering and the M Sport Differential all work together to make a two-tonne luxury SUV feel considerably more agile than its size would suggest. Whether it’s tackling fast corners or cruising on the motorway, the X6 M60i promises to deliver the sort of driving experience expected from anything wearing an M badge.
Technology also plays a major role. BMW’s latest Operating System 8.5 powers the infotainment system, complete with voice controls, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Digital Key Plus, over-the-air software updates and connected car functions through the My BMW app. The SUV also comes equipped with a head-up display, Parking Assistant Professional with a 360-degree camera and BMW’s Reversing Assistant, which can automatically retrace the last 200 metres driven when navigating tight spaces.
Safety is equally comprehensive, with six airbags, Dynamic Stability Control, ABS with Brake Assist, ISOFIX mounts, tyre pressure monitoring and a suite of electronic driver assistance systems included as standard.
The luxury performance SUV segment may be filled with capable alternatives, but few make a statement quite like the X6. It has always been a car bought with the heart rather than the head, and this latest version only strengthens that appeal.
If you’re after discreet luxury, the X5 remains the sensible choice. But if your SUV needs to turn heads every time it rolls past while packing a thundering V8 under the bonnet, the X6 M60i continues to occupy a league of its own.
