2012 BMW X6, Reviews

For 2012, the 2012 BMW X6 gains an optional rear center seat that increases passenger capacity to five.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2012 BMW X6 is a four-passenger SUV (an optional center seat for the rear increases capacity to five) available in two trim styles that correspond to engine choice: the xDrive35i and xDrive50i. The term xDrive refers to an all-wheel-drive system as standard equipment. Standard equipment on the X6 xDrive35i includes 19-inch wheels, front and rear parking sensors, power tailgate, sunroof, automatic and adaptive bi-xenon headlights, foglights, automatic wipers, cruise control, 10-way power front seats, heated front seats, driver memory functions, leather upholstery, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, the iDrive electronics interface and a 10-speaker sound system with CD player, iPod/USB adapter and HD radio.

Aside from its twin-turbo V8, the xDrive50i adds 14-way-adjustable front seats, BMW Assist emergency telematics, Bluetooth and a navigation system with voice controls and real-time traffic. The Cold Weather package adds heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel and retractable headlight washers.

The Active Ventilated Seat package adds automatically adjusting driver seat bolsters, ventilated seats and perforated leather upholstery. The version of this package known as Sport Activity deletes Active Drive. As with the xDrive50i, an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard.

EPA fuel economy estimates stand at 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined. Standard safety features on the 2012 BMW X6 include antilock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, hill descent control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.

BMW Assist emergency telematics are optional. In standard form, the rear seat accommodates just two passengers, since the large rear center console is not removable.

2011 BMW 1-Series,Reviews

The 2011 BMW 135i coupe and convertible get a new turbocharged inline-6. It would be easy to dismiss the 2011 BMW 1 Series as the baby BMW that people buy because they can't pony up for a 3 Series. Despite being the entry-level BMW, the 1 Series is available with the same inline-6 gasoline engines as the BMW 3 Series.

Also new for the 2011 version of the 135i is an optional dual-clutch automated manual transmission BMW calls DCT. Truth be told, the 2011 BMW 1 Series is rather expensive, but given its powerful engines, sports car-style handling and the dearth of other small, rear-wheel-drive models with which to compare, it's hard to say the 1 is too expensive. The 2011 BMW 1 Series comes in coupe and convertible body styles, both of which are available in 128i and 135i configurations.

The 128i convertible adds a fully lined power-folding automatic soft top and a special convertible mode for the climate control. The convertible's available leather upholstery features a sun-reflective treatment.

The 128i Sport package adds a sport-tuned suspension, different 17-inch wheels, sport seats, dark "Shadowline" exterior trim and an increased top speed. The 135i Sport package adds sport seats, an M Sport steering wheel, Shadowline trim and increased top speed. The rear-wheel-drive BMW 1 Series offers a choice of two different 3.0-liter inline-6 engines. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a six-speed automatic transmission is optional. The convertible posted a 6.7-second time. The automatic convertible gets 18/27/21, however.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a seven-speed automated manual transmission (known as DCT) is optional. The manual-equipped convertible gets 19/28/22.

Antilock disc brakes (with brake drying and standby feature), traction and stability control and hill start-off assist for manual-equipped cars are all standard on the 2011 BMW 1 Series. Front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are standard on the coupe; convertibles come equipped with front-seat side airbags that extend higher to protect occupants' heads.

Driving Impressions
It'll take a real purpose-built sporting machine to outrun the 2011 BMW 1 Series on a winding road.

2012 BMW 6-Series,Reviews

The 2012 BMW 6 Series has been fully redesigned. Taken all together, the 2012 BMW 6 Series shapes up to be a very impressive grand touring coupe and convertible. The 2012 BMW 6 Series is currently offered as a 650i coupe and convertible only. Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, an adaptive suspension, adaptive xenon headlights, LED foglights, parking sensors, power-folding mirrors, a large tilt-only sunroof, 16-way power front seats, driver and passenger memory functions, leather upholstery, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, auto-dimming mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control and a rearview camera.

The convertible has a power soft top with a glass rear window that can be raised and lowered independently. The Luxury Seating package adds a power rear sunshade and ventilated front seat with adjustable bolsters and a massage feature. Other options include 20-inch wheels, LED headlights, active steering, active roll stabilization, an infrared night vision display, BMW Apps enhanced smartphone integration, extended leather upholstery and enhanced interior trim materials.

Powertrains and Performance EPA-estimated fuel economy for an automatic-equipped convertible stands at 16 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined. Standard safety equipment includes four-wheel antilock brakes with advanced standby and drying features, traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags, front knee airbags, active head restraints and BMW Assist.

Interior Design and Special
Features It's not as elegant as the Jaguar XK's streamlined design, but the 2012 BMW 650i interior offers top-shelf materials and craftsmanship in a fitting, cockpit-centric design. The convertible's heated rear window retracts independently of the soft top, doubling as a wind deflector when the top is dropped.

Driving Impressions Optional Active Steering also uses rear-wheel steering for low-speed maneuverability and high-speed stability.