BMW X6: This baby has six appeal

Often the one does not scream out to you appearing just average. You might even think he's ugly and not really your type.

But, often, when you get to know him, you realise that he's got a big heart and a warm, gentle soul.

You must be wondering what I'm on about, since this is a motoring supplement, not the agony aunt section of a magazine.

Bear with me and you'll see why I could not help but compare the BMW X6 to a real life experience - at least for me.

When the BMW X6 was first released a few years ago, I could not understand the design. I thought it was an ugly car that would never find a place in my precious heart.

So you can see, ours was not a love-at-first-sight story.

It took a few interactions for me to fall in love with this tempting Teuton. I first drove the diesel, followed by the petrol version.

Both derivatives are impressive, except that the xDrive 5.0i's thirst could empty out your bank account.

Like the man I described, this thirsty habit is the X6's little imperfection.

My first encounter with the X6 was interesting, since I had preconceived ideas about it.

Its bizarre appearance reminded me of a Ssangyong Actyon, a car the motoring media had put all sorts of labels on.

So, as I hopped into the X6, I wondered if this car would ever look beautiful in my eyes. Little did I know that the car I hated would become my lover and that driving it would be an experience of pure pleasure.

Now that you have the background to my relationship with the X6, I can invite you along for the drive.

I jumped into the driver's seat and headed to North West province to visit friends.

Like many people - with the exception of those greenies - I love SUVs; but this one is apparently not an SUV.

BMW refers to the X6 as a sport utility coupé.

You can call it what you like, but I was ready to roll with my prince charming, the X6. It was just us and the tar. Good music kept me company as I slowly fell in love with the X6. Sitting in the X6 makes you feel as if you've never left your lounge.

Under the bonnet lurks a twin-turbo V8 petrol engine that could wake a comatose drunk when it starts.

On this 250km adventure, I discovered more about the handsome German - I had found the one.

Driving this car is such a joyful experience. It responds with ease to every challenge on the road.

Cornering iseasy thanks to BMW's intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive technology.

The chassis and drive-train adjust driving conditions at all times and in all situations.

At the same time, BMW's ICM (Integrated Chassis Management) high-performance electronic control, ensures perfect harmony between drive-train and suspension within fractions of a second.

The X6 xDrive50i is endowed with true sports car performance and dynamism.

Power is transmitted to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission by means of a particularly sporting gearshift.

The interior design is well thought out and comfortable. This is it; I am in love.

The Specs:

4 litre Engine: V8

Power: 300kW at 5500 to 6400rpm

Torque: 600Nm at 1750 to 4500rpm

Top speed: 250km/h (governed)

0-100km/h: 5.4 seconds(claimed)

Fuel consumption: 13l/100km/h (achieved)

C02: 329g/km

Pricing: BMW X6 xDrive50i Standard R945500; BMW X6 xDrive50i Sport R962000; BMW X6 xDrive50i Exclusive R983700; BMW X6 xDrive50i Innovation R989200; BMW X6 xDrive50i Individual R1025600

We like:

Great ride quality

Awesome gearbox

BMW badge

We don't like:

Thirsty engine

I can't afford one