* Surprise reveal at AIMS in Sydney
* Southern Hemisphere debut for World’s first Sports Activity Coupé
* B-pillar-free design, four-doors and a dynamic roofline
* Drives like a pure BMW

BMW Group Australia surprised the motor industry on Thursday 11 October, when Managing Director Guenther Seemann introduced the BMW Concept X6 at the Australian International Motor Show at Darling Harbour.

The concept car had been flown in directly from its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show last month.

The BMW Concept X6 is the world’s first Sports Activity Coupé and is a combination of the genes of a sleek and svelte BMW coupé and a BMW X Series model.

The Concept X6 once again underlines BMW leadership in creating new market segments, backing up its success with the first generation X5 Sports Activity Vehicle in 1999, and followed up with the X3 in 2003.

The BMW Concept X6 is the most sporting and dynamic interpretation of a BMW X model yet, and is aimed at a market with excellent potential for growth.

The visually engaging silhouette of a sportily elegant BMW Coupé is combined with the urge and grip of a BMW X model. The Concept X6 has generous ground clearance and extra-large wheel arches to convey a powerful, yet sleek presence.

The Concept X6 introduces new BMW Dynamic Performance Control technology for exceptional directional stability and precision under all driving conditions.

The exterior design delivers a smooth coupé outline, short front overhang and long-wheelbase for stability at high speed. Muscular wheel arches and the large specially developed 21-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels enhance this impression, while a rising shoulder line takes the eye on a journey to the dynamic rear of the car.

From the front, the extra-large BMW kidney grille is flanked by sharply defined headlamp housings leading to flared front wheel arches, while the lower, gaping air intakes announce the sporting intent of the Concept X6.

From the side, the lack of a B-pillar leaves an uncluttered greenhouse, while the gently contoured D-pillars express power and stability, with a long, sloping rear window blending into the tail, where large unique tail lamps emphasise the width of the rear track, aided by individual tailpipes at each corner.

The Concept X6 is finished in a dark hue contrasting with the bright chrome highlight elements that reinforce the vehicle’s sporting and technical character.

Underfloor protection front and rear is made of milled aluminium to match similar looking running boards.

True to BMW DNA the Concept X6 is equipped with the latest BMW traction system, Dynamic Performance Control, which is designed to elevate typical BMW sheer driving pleasure to a new benchmark.

When combined with BMW’s intelligent xDrive all-wheel drive technology, this drivetrain and chassis control system offers a unique standard of safe and exciting driving stability in all conditions.

Dynamic Performance Control feeds a variable split of torque to the two rear wheels, providing a stabilising effect under power or during lift-off.

When possible over- or understeer is detected, for example in a bend, DPC will vary the distribution of drive forces between the wheels for perfect stability, dynamic traction, and forward motion. Benefits include higher lateral acceleration and optimum directional stability when accelerating out of a bend.

“The BMW Concept X6 is pure driving dynamics - an absolute trendsetter in the all-wheel drive segment,” said Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

“The BMW Concept X6 is a true BMW,” said Guenther Seemann, Managing Director of BMW Group Australia. “It is innovative, imaginative and of course very beautiful.

“It is the perfect amalgam of BMW traction technology and ground-breaking BMW style. We are very excited to be able to show this Concept vehicle in Sydney so soon after its global unveiling in Frankfurt.

“It is a measure of the importance BMW attaches to Australia as a market for our X Series vehicles that we have been able to secure this vehicle for display.

“The best news of course is that we will be building a car based on the Concept X6 very soon and will have it for sale in Australia during 2008,” Mr Seemann said.