2013 Audi A3

Hartge takes the diesel X6 to new highs - and lows

 
2 1,906 views Apr 16, 2009

hartge bmw x6 005

hartge bmw x6 003

hartge bmw x6 003

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Style is undoubtedly a subjective thing, but sometimes agreement is nearly universal. The Mona Lisa has been revered through the ages, while the bowl-cut hair style is a perpetual laughing stock. Somewhere toward the latter end of the spectrum lie creations like Hartge's latest X6 variant, sporting a beefy diesel powerplant and a face only a mother (or father) could love.

It's an unfortunate combination, not just because the hot diesel crossover was pre-emptively one-upped in both performance and aesthetics by the X6 M at last week's New York Auto Show. The otherwise very attractive combination of a twin-turbo 3.0L diesel rated at 323hp (241kW) and 499lb-ft (675Nm) of torque is made repulsive by the Mad Max front end.

The rear diffuser area is equally disturbing, though decidedly less busy, and the rather innocuous side skirts neither add nor detract from the curiosity. Huge 22in wheels take some of the attention back from the odd aero pieces, but even with a shiny polished finish and a 30mm lower suspension treatment, they're not enough to keep the eyes off the catastrophic front end for long.

Which in the end is probably a good thing considering it will cost you €29,353.94 ($38,735) (VAT included) to put this kit on your unsuspecting X6 xDrive35d. For a somewhat less appalling Hartge SUV, check out the X5 Hunter. Perhaps the company would be better served sticking to brilliant mechanical mods like the M5-powered V10 BMW Z4 M.
Hartge BMW X6

HI-RES GALLERY: hartge bmw x6 005




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Comments (2)

  1. ma_DavidSilverM3 avatar DavidSilverM3 Posted: 4/17/2009 6:39am PDT

    Its hideous. I'm surprised to see this from Hartge.
     
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    Bad stuff?

  2. ma_Rice1 avatar Rice1 Posted: 4/17/2009 9:29pm PDT

    Anybody else thinks the front bumper is a bit ricey?
     
    Post Reply
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    Bad stuff?

 

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