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Take the BMW X6, for instance. Factor in the current economic climate with worrying environmental issues, and an SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) like the X6 makes absolutely no sense at all.

 It comes with a choice of three fuel-thirsty engines, a 3.0-litre twin turbo, a 4.4-litre twin turbo or a 3.0-litre twin turbo diesel. It's a big vehicle with proportions similar to the X5 SUV, but every other aspect of the X6 will beg you to buy it.

The X6's design makes the X5 looks like a clambering giant with too much cellulite in all the wrong places. While the X5 is a typical SUV that you'd expect soccer mums to drive, the X6 looks prestigious and has plenty of presence.

 The sloping rear end design is as close as an SUV can look to a coupe. Clean lines and the beautifully curved body panels are an orgy for the eyes.

On the inside, however, things are a little calmer. The X6 is a strict four-seater with a partition between the rear seats. It seems to indicate that BMW hopes the X6 will appeal

more to executives, perhaps as chauffeur-driven units.

 My test-drive vehicle was the Xdrive 50i, which comes with a 4.4-litre twin turbo charged engine roducing 400bhp.

Due to the 2,300kg weight, the X6 can be a little slow at speeds below 30kph. Once past this point however, it provides ridiculous amounts of acceleration. Mated with the six-speed automatic transmission,speeds between 80 and 200khp are barely noticed. 

The X6 is equipped with torque vectoring, which means torque to each wheel is controlled individually, allowing quicker return to control in the case of a slippery situation. But its size makes it a little aggravating to drive in the city. If your mind can't keep itself from the X6, then the price just might.

The 4.4-litre twin turbo charged version here costs approximately Bt10 million while the less powerful 3.0-litre twin turbo version goes for Bt8.7 million. Love, at times, comes at a price.