Sunday, April 06, 2008

BMW X6 Preview: Pigs Can Fly

With its polarizing oddball looks, premium price tag and questionable need to exist, BMW's new "Sports Activity Coupe" (their PR speak, not ours) isn't for everybody. But with a choice of twin-turbo engines-- a 306 hp 3.0-liter I-6 from the 335i or an all new 407 hp 4.4-liter V8-- more electronic aids than Stephen Hawking and bigger rubber than a Z06 (315/20s at all four corners), the X6 is going to make some customers very, very happy. Here's the skinny on the Bavarian fat: both the Infiniti FX50 and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo have something to worry about. Despite the X6's bulk (more than 5k lbs of it), this X5-spin off can dance the dance. Grip is endless and there ain't no body roll either.

RWD Volvo C30

While Volvo's C30 has wily charms in its stock configuration, we could see how it'd be even more entertaining with the power being sent to the proper wheels. While we're talking revisions, a honkingly large turbocharger and external-reservoir dampers would be welcome additions, too. The race-ready ride height is dead sexy, and while it's a crazy thing to do to a perfectly good brand new Volvo, Sweden's Skruffse has carried out some beautiful fabrication work. The use is obviously racing of some sort, and with wide tires at all four corners we're surmising that it's something that involves turning, versus drag racing. Seeing this car's tow rig - a first-generation V70, it all comes together -- those willing to strip the C30 down like a stolen Pinto and rejigger the chassis are true Volvo nuts. We're pretty sure the warranty has been voided, though.