BMW X67 news - Niche to meet you -2007

You are part of history. You are witnessing a world first. You are looking at the universe's only Sports Activity Coupe, the BMW X6.

There could, of course, be a very good reason why no one has previously come up with a Sports Activity Coupe (or SAC, if you prefer). But before we pass judgment, let's take a quick look over the X6.

Based on the X5 platform but adding a fastback, four-door body, the X6 combines the sporting presence of a coupe with the height and presence of an SUV, says BMW.

It'll certainly be quick: the X6 comes with the choice of two petrol or two diesel engines, with the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 topping the line-up. It'll be called the xDrive50i, and develop 407bhp along with a hefty 442lb ft of torque. 

That'll propel the X6 to 60mph in a scary 5.4 seconds and on to an electronically limited 155mph. As you'd expect, the xDrive50i isn't the most frugal - BMW is quoting combined economy of just 22.6mph and CO2 emissions of 299g/km. Ouch.

All X6s will come with a six-speed automatic gearbox with flappy paddles, channelling power to all four wheels through BMW's xDrive technology. This allows variable distribution of torque not just between the front and rear axles, but also between rear wheels.

Combined with BMW's Adaptive Drive function - which provides active body roll control and damper adjustment - and a host of other acronyms, the X6 should drive a whole lot better than it looks.

Ah yes, the looks. This stuff is all subjective, of course, but suffice to say that the opinions of the TG office range from scepticism to phrases that are unrepeatable on a family website. It does at least answer the question of what would happen if the old AMC Eagle copulated with the Spyker D12. 

But, more important than its dubious looks, we're just a bit lost as to the point of the X6. It won't have the performance and space of the 5-Series Tourer, the soft-road presence of the X5 or the extravagant luxury of the 6-Series, so why?

You've got a few months to figure that one out - the BMW goes on sale in May next year with prices starting at £41,955.