[TSIboy]

With the X7 and 7-series LCI, BMW has surely pushed its kidney grilles as far as it can when it comes to size. However, Munich has a new trick up its sleeve to make its signature front end design just a little more showy: illumination.

BMW has chosen to debut optional light-up kidney grilles on one of its most conspicuous offerings, the X6. The new version - which doesn’t look all that different to the smaller X4 - automatically switches on its grille lighting when the car is opened or closed. The driver can also control the lights manually, and yes, it is possible to have them on while you’re moving.

The illuminated kidney grilles are part of the 'Iconic Glow' option.

The engine line-up isn’t what you’d call surprising - it largely mirrors the X5’s. There’s the sensible option of the 261bhp/457lb ft xDrive30d, an xDrive40i with a 335bhp/332lb ft inline-six petrol, or the M50d with its monstrous 394bhp/560lb ft quad-turbo derv unit. Four anyone preferring a dirty-great V8 petrol, there’s the 523bhp and 553lb ft M50i, which shares its 4.4-litre twin-turbo engine with the mighty M850i. It does 0-62mph in just 4.3 seconds.

Keeping the power in check is a double-wishbone front, multilink rear suspension setup, with adaptive dampers fitted as standard. Go for Adaptive M Suspension Professional, and clever active-anti roll bars plus an all-wheel steering system are added into the mix. Air suspension is available too, as is - if you’re one of the few X6 owners intending to get a little muddy - an off-road pack.

It’s 26mm longer than the old one, a little wider and ever so slightly lower. The wheelbase has increased by 46mm. Inside, you’ll find two 12.3-inch displays for the driver, and yet more optional extras including electrically adjustable massage seats and ‘thermoelectric’ cup holders. Nice.

Boot space inevitably drops compared to the more conventionally-shaped X5, but you still get 580-litres to fill, expanding to 1530 if you drop the 40:20:40 split rear bench.

Source: https://www.carthrottle.com/post/the...idney-grilles/


As if the huge grilles weren't bad enough! Now they've had to light it up!

[the_skyliner]

Originally Posted by TSIboy

As if the huge grilles weren't bad enough! Now they've had to light it up!

Seriously! What's wrong with BMW? This is definitely a step down for X6 which already had weird design.

They would have been better off with discontinuing X6 altogether.

[avisidhu]

Only possible explanation is that someone from the after market accessory shops from the by-lanes of India, worked really hard and landed his dream job!

The X6 is just boxy in a weird way to begin with. Now all someone has to do, is to click a pic of the stock X6 and upload in the weird and wacky thread

Another angle:

Originally Posted by jailbird_fynix

This is how you illuminate the grill. Subtle yet classy.

Apologies, but just seems less weird than X6 that's all. Would humbly disagree it's anywhere near being classy.

[jailbird_fynix]

This is how you illuminate the grill. Subtle yet classy.

[JayD]

Just when you thought BMW couldn't make their cars any uglier, they pull this sheer genius out of their hat!Reminds me of the Happydent commercial.

[Santoshbhat]

Imagine seeing that thing charging at you in your rear view mirror . It'll sure scare the hell out of a lot of people.

[reignofchaos]

They should change their name from BMW to CMW (China Motorenwerke) . That's the direction they are headed of late.

What a shame!

[fordday]

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[dark.knight]

Not a fan of the show Friends.. for sure, but this reminded me instantly of one episode :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_zlAnZ-gXY

Let the jokes begin, as an ex-fan of BMW I'll start :

- Corona Grilles

- Angel Grin

While German designers are creating masterpieces in Korea like the Kia Stinger, Genesis G70 and i30 Fastback, here we have BMW acting worse than Chinese manufacturers in terms of design. Do people still have a problem with Chris Bangle?

Let's rename the company to BGW (Bayerische Gitterzaune Werke) to signal their new obsession. How about strobe-lights inside the kidneys next?

[petroguzzler]

In most developed countries, cars (apart from exotics) are viewed with the same level of excitement that would be reserved for white goods. To stave off this impending wave of commoditization, manufacturers like BMW are forced to add chintzy bits like this to bolster product differentiation.

[vivek95]

Yuck ! what a stupid move by BMW. Those huge grilles were always pathetic and now by lighting them up, BMW is making a mockery of themselves. Look at all the comments up there by fellow BHPians - too hilarious, especially the Happydent one

[GTO]

Yuck, as if BMW's new grilles weren't big & ugly enough, the company is now highlighting them. This is seriously one brand that has lost its design direction .

There are many trends that start from one manufacturer, others copy it, and it then flows down to the after-market. I sincerely hope this isn't one of them. In our bling-loving country, imagine seeing Innovas & Dzires with neon grilles .

[Asish_VK]

What do you do when everyone is bashing your grill design ? You illuminate it like a desi truck cabin , so that no one miss noticing it.

Take that world ! In your face

[racer_ash]

Looks like the day is not far when BMW overtakes the Koreans and Chinese in bling. What next? Mood lighting for the Kidney?

[mazda4life]

BMW - Bling Motoren Werke , what a hideous idea, looks like an toothpaste selling MBA just joined BMW