Hybrid commuters are sprouting from every corner of the globe which eventually is great for the otherwise depleting world. The latest name belonging to the category is the BMW X6 Active Hybrid which is powered by a 400 hp 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine in combination with two electric synchronous motors (rated at 91 hp and 86 hp).

As a consequence the X6 Active Hybrid has a combined maximum output of 480 hp with 575 lb-ft of torque. So despite being a hybrid it accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds while it can reach a top speed of 130mph (electronically limited). With the incorporation of the Hybrid powertrain, there is a 20% improvement in the average fuel consumption with the CO2 emissions rating at 231 grams per kilometer. At lower speeds only one of the motor comes into usage and it is only when more power is required, that the second motor starts the combustion engine. Other interesting features include an electronic power steering system, an Auto Start/Stop system, a modified suspension and a lightweight braking system. There is also a powerdome hood and 20-inch light-alloy Aero wheels. The sales for the car are expected later this year.

I will have to be honest and tell you guys that in the beginning I didn’t like the BMW X6, but seeing all sorts of tuners getting their hands on it, I came to feel for it. That’s the case when I look at what those wicked Germans from Hartge did with a X6 xDrive35d diesel. First they got the hands on the supercharged 3.0 twin-turbo engine to make it output 328 hp and 675 Nm of torque, which only helps to get it from 0 to 100 km/h in just under 6 seconds, and to reach a max speed of 256 km/h. But the new Harge BMW X6 is not only about an engine upgrade. There’s an aerodynamic kit made of an ultra-lightweight polyurethane plastic, with an integrated diffuser and stainless-steel tailpipes in a quadrilateral shape. And did we mention Hartge’s 22-inch “Classic 2″ wheels? A great X6 if anyone needs my opinion …

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! it seems to be the BMW X6 prototype wrapped in M division clothes.

How did we get to this conclusion? Well, first we saw the quad exhaust pipes that make the rear more aggressive. At the other rear, we see some larger (than we first thought they will be) air intakes .

Even though we can’t really tell anything for sure, we can at least predict or hope that we will get a version on steroids of the 4.4-liter V8 engine that the X5 will be having under the hood. Some birdies also whispered into our ears that M5′s 507hp V10 engine could be sneaking its way into the X-series.

All good news, but nothing for sure. I will be waiting patiently holding a few pictures of the new X6 to hear some solid news.

via WCF

At the Detroit Auto Show next year (next month to be precise), BMW will come up with their latest X6 Sports Activity Coupe model. A combination of a SUV, a SAV and CUV, this is a crossover version of a very powerful but elegant large BMW coupe.

BMW X6 Sports Activity Coupe will have two twin-turbo engines, first a 3.0-liter with 6-cylinder that sport 300hp and a 4.4-liter V8 engine that goes up to 400hp. All versions will include the xDrive all-wheel-drive technology for better stability, agility and steering precision. It should be available from the second quarter of 2008 (with rumors say end of 2008) and meanwhile you can watch the video.