KEY POINTS:
'I can't stop looking at it. And every time I do, I see something different. It's absolutely fascinating."
That was how one publisher/former graphic artist/professional-standard photographer spontaneously assessed the BMW X6.
It was somewhat deflating, since I'd just given him the standard motoring writers' spiel about how the X6 was really an X5 (they share a platform and most major mechanical components), but with a higher price tag, and yet less seats/space. Which it is.
But, obviously, my thinking was a bit too linear on this car because everybody else I met - motoring writer colleagues excluded - reckoned the X6 looked awesome and thought the off-roader-as-coupe design concept was a pretty engaging one.
And since coupes are always more expensive and less practical than the sedans (or in this case, high-riding wagons) they are based on, I guess the X6 has earned its stripes. It's certainly earned its credentials as an image-leader for BMW, based on my informal immediate-acquaintance poll.
Not all coupes go harder and faster than the cars they are based on but this one actually does.
Unlike the X5, the new X6 boasts BMW's trick Dynamic Performance Control (DPC) four-wheel-drive system, in addition to the proactive function of xDrive (that's BMW's name for its four-wheel-drive set-up).
This predicts driving conditions immediately ahead using the stability control system and apportions torque front-to-rear accordingly.
DPC can also shift power side to side at the rear, even when you're not accelerating. BMW claims that it's a world first.
Don't know about that, but I would claim you'll be absolutely amazed at the X6's chassis dynamics, should you be lucky enough to drive one in anger.
Since it can shift a lot of power to an outside rear wheel (there's a graph on the dashboard to show you what it's doing), you get the effect of the car self-steering at very high speeds. It looks like a big clumsy coupe-thingy, but it feels like a hot hatch.
Yes, it's somewhat cynical to have fitted DPC to the X6 and not the X5 - but if you want a massive BMW sports utility that seems to steer itself around sharp corners at ridiculously high speeds, this is it. It's incredible.
No, the X6 isn't any faster in a straight line than an X5 fitted with the same engine - in this case BMW's mighty twin-turbo diesel 3.0-litre.
But it's still satisfyingly brisk, and if you want dragster performance you can wait for the twin-turbo petrol V8 version coming at the end of the year. That'll really be something. But the super-torquey, very responsive diesel will do me fine, thanks.
Practicality is still a take-it or leave-it issue with X6 - you should take it as read it's only a four-seater and much less roomy than the car on which it is based.
The driving position and cabin ergonomics are brilliant and the car does feel suitably different from its larger and cheaper brother.
It's still fairly practical as a four-occupant vehicle, although a couple of things irk - rear-seat access isn't easy thanks to the sweeping shape of the roof, and the loading lip at the back is ridiculously high.
The tailgate opens in two stages (lest it rise up out of reach for shorties), which is clumsy if you want to go between the two. You have to let it rise to the lower lever, then grab it and pull it down before letting it go again, at which time it fully opens.
And you really can't see a thing out the back, which is why the $1280 reversing camera is a must.
You can't deny the X6's credentials as a fashion/technology statement, which probably means BMW has all the bases covered.
Let's face it, every time the company has done something seemingly crazy in recent years, the rest of the motor industry has stood back laughing - and then promptly copied the idea.
BMW never leaves people short of stuff to talk about, or motoring writers short of stuff to write about.
