2013 BMW X6: First Look

• Competes with: Porsche Cayenne, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Infiniti FX50 
• Looks like: Not a whole lot of change for the X6  
• Drivetrain: 300-hp, twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six, 400-hp, twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8, 555-hp, twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8; eight- or six-speed automatic transmissions
• Hits dealerships: Spring 2012

For the 2013 model year, the BMW X6 undergoes a subtle midcycle update, keeping the nearly 4-year-old model fresh enough for perspective buyers. Up front, the X6 gets a restyled grille, front clip, fog lamps and new headlights. Adaptive LED headlights are a new option for the model year; xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights are still standard. In the back, there are restyled LED taillights. There also are new 19-inch wheel designs for the xDrive50i, too.

In the cabin, there's a new red leather upholstery option. The uplevel Nappa leather upholstery now comes in a new Ivory color scheme. Like the 2012 BMW X6, the 2013 model comes standard with four bucket seats, but there's a rear bench seat option, bringing the total capacity to five passengers.

Recall Alert: 2008-2011 BMW Vehicles

BMW is recalling 32,084 2008-11 model-year vehicles equipped with an eight- or 12-cylinder engine because of the potential for an engine fire, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The 2008-11 models included in the recall are the 5 Series, 5 Series Gran Turismo, 7 Series, X5 and X6.

In the affected vehicles, an auxiliary water pump, which supports cooling of the turbocharger, can malfunction because of a defective circuit board. In certain situations, this circuit board can overheat and smolder the water pump, which may lead to an engine compartment fire or vehicle fire.

The recall is expected to begin in November. BMW dealerships will replace the pump free of charge. Owners can call BMW at 800-525-7417 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

2011 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 to Be Discontinued

The 2011 model year is the last for the BMW ActiveHybrid, X6 according to BimmerFile.com, a BMW enthusiast website that confirmed the discontinuation with BMW of North America. 

The short-lived hybrid, which was launched in 2009, was BMW’s first foray into bi-powered propulsion. The full hybrid system in the X6 hybrid produced 480 horsepower and a whopping 575 pounds-feet of torque. It can travel on all-electric power up to 1.6 miles at speeds up to 37 mph — much longer and faster than the Toyota Prius. Gas mileage came in at 17/19 mpg city/highway — an improvement of 3 mpg in the city, but a loss of 1 mpg on the highway compared with the regular V-8 model.

The dual-mode hybrid in the X6 was a shared technology developed by Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and GM. As such, a similar system is used in cars like the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, Cadillac Escalade Hybrid and Mercedes ML450 hybrid, among others. None of these hybrids has been a particularly great seller.

Part of the problem may have to do with the hybrid system’s emphasis on power over efficiency and price. Case in point: The 2011 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid starts at $88,900. At that price, you’re only about $1,000 away from the high-performance BMW X6 M which, according to BimmerFile.com, is what many car shoppers opted for instead of the hybrid.

Exclusive: X6 Active Hybrid Exits US (BimmerFile)

2012 BMW Lineup: Ch-Ch-Changes

For the 2012 model year, BMW has made iPod/USB integration virtually standard across its lineup. It used to be a pesky $400 option on most models. Also, BMW has reduced the cost of most of its transmissions, and in some cases, you can get either a manual or automatic at the same price. The new BMW Applications system, which is a $250 option across all models, adds Twitter, Facebook and internet radio support.

Continue reading below for more details:

The Worst Hybrids for the Money

Every year, we determine which hybrids are the best for the money, based on body style. This year, we also take a look at the worst hybrids for the money.

What we mean by worst is this: hybrids that end up with a very low score after you divide the car’s combined EPA mileage estimate by its MSRP and multiply that number by 1,000. Our best finisher was the Honda Insight. Who was at the other end?

To be fair, many of the cars on this list are luxury cars, and you’re paying for that as much as you’re paying for the hybrid drivetrain. And some of these perform, percentage-wise, far better than their gas counterparts. (Take the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid, for example.) And some shoppers, of course, want and/or need a large SUV but would like to make some kind of statement. Still, my 2003 Honda Pilot scores better (0.58) than all the cars on this list, and it’s not even a hybrid.

Here’s the bottom 10:

BMW Recalls 130,000 Cars after ABC News Report

BMW has just issued a recall of 130,000 cars featuring its twin-turbo six-cylinder engine because of a faulty fuel pump that can fail when the cars are driving at high speeds. The company and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received complaints about the cars going into a reduced-power or “limp home” mode, which allows drivers to safely pull off the road. It will also illuminate the “Service Engine Soon” light on the instrument panel.

Vehicles included in the recall include:

• 2007–2010 335i
• 2008–2010 135i, 535i and X6 xDrive35i sports activity coupes
• 2009–2010 Z4 Roadster sDrive35i

ABC News reported the problem this morning along with harrowing reports from concerned drivers. There have been no accidents or injuries due to the malfunctioning pump, BMW says. Many owners report having the part replaced numerous times.

BMW Promotes Custom-Order Car Shopping

When most Americans go to buy a car, they typically choose a model already on the lot with features that more or less meet their needs. Many end up sacrificing a specific color or feature to get a car then and there, but if BMW has its way, this inefficient practice would become a thing of the past.

According to Forbes and BMW itself, the automaker is a forefront player in the build-to-order market. The automaker’s plant in Spartanburg, S.C. – which builds the new 2011 BMW X3, X5 and X6 – is ground zero for custom-built BMWs in the U.S. For any BMW X model, you can pick the exact features, exterior and interior appearance you want with your local dealer. Within a few weeks, your car will be ready.

Recall Alert: 2011 BMW X5, X6

BMW has issued a recall for an unspecified number of X5 and X6 vehicles from the 2011 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall affects vehicles built between April 1 and May 8, 2010, which have tire labels that don’t meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, “Tire Selection and Rims.” While the vehicles are equipped with 20-inch wheels, the labels say they’re equipped with 19-inch wheels, which makes the required tire pressure incorrect, as well.

Tires improperly inflated can cause poor vehicle handling or even blowouts, both of which can lead to accidents.

BMW will provide the correct labels, and owners can either affix the labels themselves or take their vehicle to a BMW dealer, who will do it for free. Owners may contact BMW at 800-525-7417 or NHTSA’s hot line at 888-327-4236.

BMW Takes Cash Off Hood, Financing Deals Remain

 
If you’re looking to buy a BMW in the past month but didn’t get around to it, you missed out on some decent cash-back offers on popular 3 Series models and the Z4 Roadster, among others. Not to fear, though, because the German automaker is still offering sweetened financing deals.

Right now you can get 0.9% APR financing for 24 months on all models. That’s right: all models. This includes the all-new 7 Series (not to mention the buzz-generating 550 GT that Cars.com senior editor David Thomas is testing out right now).

If you’re thinking about buying, get on the ball this time. The offer expires June 30.

Recall Alert: 2010 BMW X5, X6

BMW has issued a recall for 2010 X5 and X6 vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall is only for the SUVs manufactured between Dec. 14, 2009, and Dec. 16, 2009, because the bonding in the upper right part of the windshield may be insufficient. In a rollover accident, this could negatively impact the stability of the roof and increase the risk of injury to passengers.

BMW has not provided a fix or an owner notification schedule for this recall, though it likely affects only a small number of vehicles. Owners may contact BMW at 800-831-1117 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hot line at 888-327-4236.