#x6

We’ve seen so many variants of BMW‘s X6 by now that we’re not even sure which one is our favorite anymore. But it’s clear that the aftermarket has really embraced BMW’s performance SUV despite its odd identity crisis. This time it’s AC Schnitzer with a widebody X6. Interestingly AC Schnitzer hasn’t officially released this kit yet, with the vehicle making its first appearance at the National BMW Festival out in the United Kingdom.

As if we couldn’t get anymore confused about BMW‘s X6 and its purpose in life, ArmorTech out of Russia has decided to offer a coupe conversion. This whole sport activity vehicle (SAV) thing keeps getting a new take and now ArmorTech has probably done what we never thought would happen…or probably deep down hoped would never happen.

With two gasoline versions, a hybrid version and a powerful M model, you’d think there were enough different flavors of BMW‘s new X6. But over in Japan, the German automaker has just announced a limited production of a very limited edition special model called the Performance Unlimited X6. Just 20 versions will be built and sold at a hefty price of a little more than $105,000. We’re not sure the reasoning behind even making this model, but it’s worth reporting the accessories BMW has opted to put on it.

Look, when the BMW X6 was first announced we all scratched our heads. Don’t deny it, you did too. The X3 and the X5 have their place in the market, but the X6 is an oddity. Now we’re starting to feel wrong about judging this book by its cover. The X6 M has truly reshaped SUV performance (naturally, being an M model and all) and now we’re just band-wagoners praising what the 555-hp X6 M is all about.

So what exactly are we leading up to? Well a video has surfaced showing a completely bone stock Alpine White X6 M blasting the quarter mile in Bahrain at 12.5 @ 110 mph. That’s a stock SAV (we still think it’s an SUV) running 12’s. This just shows how well the X6 M actually performs in the real world. Sure it’s a pretty useless utility vehicle, but as a sports car, it delivers. Make sure to check out the video after the break. Maybe it’ll make a convert out of you too!

Finally! After all the bickering we have done on black demo cars, we have the chance to check out Lumma Design’s BWW X6 M styling on both a black and white platform. Lumma Design offers a plethora of kits for various Porsche, BMW and Mercedes-Benz vehicles, so their expertise is well varied. Their BMW X6 M package is dubbed the CLR X 650 M, clearly a more menacing title than just X6 M, and the exterior styling shows.

More bad news from the “Icelandic Volcano” front. In addition to thousands of travelers stranded while trying to fly into or out of Europe (including this author’s parents, stuck in Paris), The Associated Press reports that BMW may have to shut down production of its Spartanburg, SC facility, which produces the X5 and X6. According to the report, BMW ships transmissions and other vehicle components from Munich to South Carolina via commercial airlines. If these planes stay grounded for more than two more days, BMW will not have enough parts to assemble the Sport/Utility/Activity what-have-you’s.

Official pricing for the new BMW X5 M and X6 M has found its way onto the interwebs ahead of the official announcement by BMW. Surprisingly both models, while anything but cheap, are far less expensive than expected. We’d also wager they are less expensive than BMW could charge if it wanted to.

Add another exciting unveiling to the New York Auto Show list. That’s right, BMW is planning to unveil an M version of it’s new X6 CUV in the Big Apple on April 8th.

You just had to see this one coming. The X6 is arguably the real successor in the German luxury segment to the Porsche Cayenne and so it’s not at all surprising that big German tuning houses like Hamann have been dreaming up outrageous tuning programs for the SUV.