News Source: topspeed.com

The BMW X6  has been blurring the lines of SUV and sports car since its introduction in 2008. Things got even more strange when BMW threw a diesel  engine under its hood and slapped an M badge on the side. Yes, BMW  makes a diesel-powered M product.  Unfortunately for those in the United States, the X6 M50d has been unobtainable. That trend sadly continues as the X6 rolls into its second generation for 2015.

The X6  can thank its second-generation upgrade to the X5, the SUV  on which it’s based and shares much of its platform. For 2014, the X5  received a healthy makeover, including slightly larger dimensions for increased interior volume, a revised exterior, and a fresh interior.

The standard 2015 X6  is destined to arrive on U.S. shores likely sometime in the fourth quarter of 2014. While the M50d will be missing from our BMW lineup, our friends overseas will get to enjoy its torque-rich oil-burner. The M50d sports a straight-six construction displacing 3.0-liters and spooled up by two turbochargers. With an output of 381 horsepower and a tire-shredding 546 pound-feet of torque, the X6 M50d sprints to 62 mph in just 5.1 seconds.

Even with all that power, the 3.0-liter, I-6 diesel still sips fuel like a Prius. On the European  test cycle, the SUV returns a highly-respectable 42.8 mpg! Let that soak in while you click past the jump.

The new bodywork adoring the X6’s new exterior is much more angular and aggressive than before. The front grille has no less than six gaping openings that feed cool air to the diesel’s intercoolers. The narrow headlights look as if they’re squinting dirty looks at the competition, and the sharply edged hood is more crisp than line-dried linens.

The X6’s side profile is no less dramatic. Below its beltline are angular edges formed nicely in with swooping lines while the profile of the roof is one large curved line. Nearly every inch of the X6’s body has some sort of character line or interesting trait.

Around back, is a tiny rear window dwarfed by a massive trunk and bumper. The large lower fascia houses twin chrome-tipped exhaust pipes, while the trunk’s main feature is the large LED taillights.

The revised interior of the X6 is still distinctly BMW but carries a new look of refinement. The infotainment screen is still perched atop the dash and plenty of physical buttons inhabit the center stack. The gear selector remains familiar as does the rotary iDrive dial. The thin-spoke steering wheel has a beefy leather-wrapped ring for sure gripping and the large dead pedal on the floor ensure a steady stance.

Motivating the X6 M50d is BMW’s most powerful diesel engine. Its six cylinders, displace 3.0-liters and is force-fed by twin turbochargers. A common-rail fuel system with piezo injectors delivers fuel at an amazing 31,908 psi. The recipe produces 381 horsepower and 546 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to an eight-speed Steptronic sport transmission that delivers power through BMW’s xDrive to all four wheels.

BMW says the X6 M50d will hit 62 mph in just 5.1 seconds. Its top speed will likely be limited to 155 mph. The recipe produces 381 horsepower and 546 pound-feet of torque.