2012 BMW X6 M

The X6 for 2012 is offered with a choice of three powertrains. The 35i features a turbo-charged 6-cylinder engine rated at 300 horsepower. The 50i utilizes an all-new 4.4L twin-turbo V8 engine capable of 400 horsepower. The hybrid X6 combines the 4.4L V8 with an 84-horsepower electric motor and battery pack, which BMW calls 'ActiveHybrid'. The 35i and 50i X6s come with an all new 8-speed automatic transmission with Steptronic manual shift mode and steering wheel paddles. The hybrid uses a 7-speed version of the Steptronic transmission.

The X6 handles much better than other vehicles of its size and weight thanks to a system called Dynamic Performance Control, which interfaces with the stability control system and helps direct power to the wheels with the best traction, whether on slippery roads or during high-performance driving. In normal situations, the xDrive AWD system sends 60 percent of power to the rear wheels but it can send more to whichever wheels it deems best. The available Active Steering system also works with Dynamic Performance Control to assist in emergency maneuvers.

Standard safety features include 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, front side-impact airbags and overhead curtain airbags for both rows, Dynamic Stability Control with traction control and rollover sensor, front and rear parking sensors, tire pressure monitoring, auto-on headlamps, adaptive tail lamps and crash-activated headrests. BMW Assist emergency telematics are optional on the 35i and standard on the 50i and ActiveHybrid.

Standard equipment on the 35i includes 19-inch aluminum wheels, performance tires, a sunroof, automatic bi-xenon headlights, fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, dynamic cruise control, 10-way power front seats, front and rear parking sensors, power tailgate, and a 10-speaker sound system with CD player, auxiliary audio jack and HD radio.

The 50i upgrades the front seats to 20-way adjustable ones, a voice-activated hard drive-based navigation system that includes 12 GBs of dedicated media storage as well as real-time traffic and DVD video capability.

In addition to the high-efficiency powertrain, the ActiveHybrid X6 comes with 20-inch wheels, the 50i's navigation and 20-way adjustable seats. Four-zone automatic climate control, self-leveling suspension, a 16-speaker high-performance stereo, an iPod adapter, 3-stage heated front seats, keyless entry and a rearview camera.

The Cold Weather package adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and retractable headlight washers. The Active Ventilated Seat package adds automatically adjusting driver seat bolsters, ventilated seats and perforated leather upholstery. The Rear Climate package, available on the 35i and 50i, adds 4-zone climate control, tinted glass and manual rear side window shades. The Sport package, also available on the 35i and 50i, adds a choice of 19- or 20-inch wheels, the Active Drive enhanced suspension and darker interior and exterior trim.

BMW offers high-performance "M" versions of all of their models, and the X6 is no different. The M version of the X6 comes with the 4.4L turbo-charged V8 coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The X6 M also gets an M-tuned all-wheel drive system, a special suspension and even M-tuned stability programming. 20-inch double-spoke wheels are standard, as is the 50i's 16-speaker high-performance stereo, 3-stage heated front seats and an M-specific tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel.