BMW Drops X6 ActiveHybrid from U.S. Lineup after Poor Sales

At a time when automakers are presenting one hybrid after the other, BMW has is doing the exact opposite: the Bavarian company is killing the ActiveHybrid X6 SUV from its U.S. line-up. Dave Buchko, a spokesperson for BMW North America confirmed the news to enthusiast website Bimmerfile.

The full-hybrid variant of the X6 crossover was only just launched in 2009 as a 2010MY primarily targeting U.S. buyers, but sales on this side of the Atlantic proved to be poor.

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BMW to Show New 1-Series Performance Concept and New Power Kits in Frankfurt

While the new 2012 1-Series luxury hatchback and M5 sports saloon along with the i3 hatchback and i8 sports coupe concept will highlight BMW's presence in Frankfurt, the Munich-based carmaker has a lot more in store for the press and visitors alike.

BMW will display a range of new accessories and Performance packages, as well as Performance concept car based on the new 1-Series.

The study was developed in cooperation with BMW’s M-division and it features a Performance aerodynamics package comprising of new front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a rear diffuser, bespoke body trim and graphics, and a roof spoiler.

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BMW Adds Three-Seat Rear Bench Option for the X6 and New Equipment Goodies for X5

Starting from April 2011, BMW X6 customers will be able to specify the crossover model with a three-seat rear bench. Up until now, the X6 was offered exclusively with a four-seat layout. The extra accommodation is available for all X6 models with the exception of the X6 ActiveHybrid, and can also be ordered for the X6 M. Besides the third seat that replaces the previous storage unit between the two rear passengers, the five-seat model also gets new leather options.

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BMW M Car Sales Increase by More than 14 Percent in 2010

Sales of BMW's M car series continue to sprout as the Bavarian company's performance division concluded the 2010 business year with a 14.2 percent increase to 16,967 units, despite the phase out of the V10-powered M5 and M6 models.

The M brand's most popular model remained the M3 with 5,729 units of the coupe, 2,544 units of the Convertible and 1,843 Saloons. Worldwide sales of the newly introduced all-wheel drive X5 M and X6 M totaled 2,778 and 3,082 respectively.

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Vorsteiner Releases VRS Aero Package for the BMW X6 M [with VIDEO]

Following a teaser announcement back in March, German tuning specialist Vorsteiner has launched its new VRS Aero Package for the BMW X6 M crossover. Trying to improve the X6 M's appereance ain't an easy task, though Vorsteiner seems to have pulled this one off with its new kit.

At the front, the Germans opted for a carbon fiber front spoiler, which increases downforce on the front axle while also channeling more air towards the engine and brakes. The new hood is also made from the same lightweight material and features vents that extract the heat produced by the stock 555 hp twin-turbocharged V8.

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Vorsteiner BMW X6M: The best-looking X6 Yet?

Vorsteiner is the latest aftermarket manufacturer to take on the X6 - in this case, the M version - and its awfulness. Their attempt makes the tumorous X6 stand out from the rest of its freakish kind, but only just.

The omni-carbon VRS Aero Package comes together like this: front splitter, vented hood (40% lighter than stock), roof spoiler, deck lid spoiler, and a swoopy rear diffuser.

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BMW Launches Performance and Styling Accessories for X6 Crossover

BMW is milking offering buyers of its X6 that might want the M version of the Sports Activity Coupe but need to think of other things in life such as house payments an alternative proposal in the form of a new line of retrofittable performance and styling options that can be bought separately.

Starting from June, BMW's Performance division will offer a new Power Kit that includes an ECU update for the V8 powered unit in the X6 xDrive50i and the straight-six in the X6 xDrive35i.

The kit raises maximum output of the twin-turbo V8 in the xDrive50i by 41HP and 50Nm to 448HP and 650 Nm or 479 lb-ft, while the xDrive35i's turbo-six shows an increase of 20HP and 50Nm to 326HP and 450Nm or 332 lb-ft.

With this kit, both models accelerate 0.2 seconds faster from a standstill to 100 km/h (62mpg), the xDrive50i completing this sprint in 5.2 seconds and the xDrive35i in 6.5 seconds. Acceleration in gears from 80-120 km/h (50- 75 mph) is 0.5 seconds faster in each model.

Also available is a lightweight sports exhaust system with chrome-plated tailpipes.

Owners can complement the power upgrades with an aero kit that is made up of the front bumper, side-sills, an insert for the rear bumper, a rear spoiler, rear fins in matt black and a front grid finished in high-gloss black paint.

BMW also offers a set of 21-inch alloys shod in super-chunky tires size 285/35 R21 at the front and 325/30 R21 at the rear.

As for the interior, BMW Performance's option include numerous accessories such as aluminium pedals and footrest and a sports steering wheel with a flattened rim at the bottom and alcantara coating.