BMW X6

BMW rolled the dice with the original X6, but soon realized its problem would be lack of production capacity at its plant in Spartanburg, SC than a lack of customers - over 250,000 X6s have found homes since it arrived in 2008.

It comes as no surprise that a second-generation model has now arrived, but as much as the first was revolutionary, establishing an entirely new SUV sub-genre, the new X6 appears much more evolutionary.

At 4,909mm long, 1,989mm wide and 1,702mm tall, the new car grows by just 34mm in length, 4mm in width and 12mm in height. Curiously, the wheelbase is 2mm shorter, at 1,933mm.

While the dimensions and proportions are similar, there are numerous detail changes, including a larger, more vertical grille; bigger, more bejeweled lamps and fussier bumpers.

In profile, the first X6 had a single feature line that ran from front fender to tail-lamp. That line is now broken, with the curved crease in the rear fender similar to that of other BMW X models.

Fittingly, the X6 will launch at the Moscow motor show. It'll also have a direct rival for the first time, when Mercedes launches a car in 2015, based on the Concept Coupé SUV it revealed in Beijing.

BMW X6 gallery>

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