2009 BMW X6 & Gillette’s Castle
GILLETTE’S CASTLE is an oddly fanciful tribute from one man to his own creative labors.
William Gillette was a thespian of the first order; a star of stage, if not quite screen. His career waned just at the dawn of the new medium. Mr. Gillette’s claim to fame – no, not razors – was in defining the role of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes.
We can credit the Victorian image of the deerstalker cap and curled pipe and the famous “Elementary” line to Mr. Gillette’s interpretation of Sir Arthur’s famous sleuth. The role made Mr. Gillette, who was already “set” from handsome inheritance, millions.
So, in a fit of fantasy to which Walt Disney himself would likely have subscribed, Mr. Gillette built himself his own, eccentrically designed “castle” on the pinnacle of a round hill overlooking the Connecticut River in East Haddam, Conn.
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Completed in 1919 before prudish state laws would’ve prevented such high profile residential construction, the cost amounted to $1 million (roughly equivalent to $9.8 million*). He said that his inspiration was the ancient fortresses that dot the British landscape.
When the actor died, he left his castle to the Constitution State and the property became a state park.
Gillette Castle’s a fitting backdrop for the 2009 BMW X6 xDrive 50i (say that five times fast). The Bavarian crossover marks a controversial new direction for the marque. The castle marks an important location, even if visually the stony monument seems an out-of-place cartoon against the bucolic New English landscape.
The X6 is a new, and not universally appreciated, genre for BMW that claims to broaden the definition of what we’ve come to expect from a true coupe. But like Gillette’s Castle, the car seems to have as many supporters as detractors.
On the Chester-East Haddam car ferry, for instance, curiosity got the better of some other passengers who asked appreciative questions about the car. That said, the Honda Element’s driver, didn’t seem all that amused.
The X6 isn’t for everyone.
From a sales perspective, the X6 inhabits a small niche in BMW’s broader line up. Just 494 models were sold in October, up 38% from 10/08’s numbers. By contrast, the older, less expensive and more utilitarian X5 found four times as many buyers.
Still, I can’t help but feel that the X6, with all its eccentricity, is the more apt interpretation of the SUV von BMW.
The Bimmer’s more toy than truck. More play than work. It’s a cliche. A caricature, to be sure. But caricatures can be fun.
Like Gillette’s Castle, it’s useful that this crossover doesn’t quite “fit”. Useful in the sense that those who disdain the X6 as every BMW shouldn’t be – once my position. And useful to those who see variety as the spice of life.
Tap the link for the ADLX review on the 2009 BMW X6 xDrive 50i >>>
About the Author: Gunnar Heinrich is publisher of Automobiles De Luxe online and is executive producer of the Automobiles De Luxe Television series on PBS member station CPTV.
PreppyBastard | Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
Bangle be damned!!! Why was this elegant drive not enjoyed in a more appropriate vehicle such as the new Range Rover Supercharged or the Last of the Line Bentley Arnage??? The X6 is the redheaded stepchild of BMW and thankfully one of Bangle’s last abominations.
G | Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
Ah, but will it be?? His legacy lives on in Mr. Van Hooydonk.
E | Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
This X6 is an elegant automobile. I like the combination of bordeaux paint, camel interior trim and superb v8 motoring.
Richard wolf | Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
I always thought the castle looked like it was made of mudpies built by not particularly talented 9 year olds.
Upon employing Mr. Bangle, a senior BMW exec. stated that in the future, it would be more important for car brands to look different from their competitors than beautiful. Judging from BMW sales I’m certain this tasteless beancounter is today convinced that he was right. Did he use his money and philosophy to have Jamie Wyeth paint him a velvet Elvis for the den?
This leaves us buying and driving BMW’s for their usual virtues, simultaneously wondering why the damned things don’t look as good as they run. Does anyone really think the front face of the X6 is a clean and elegant design? Mercy. Remember the good old days when we all thought BMW’s lineup was more attractive and exciting than the somewhat staid looks of MB? Before Chris turned the distinctive BMW grill into Dianne Warwick (I can see your brain from here) nostrils. No longer. While Beemers were busy “looking different” MB ate their visual lunch and, Mr Beancounter and Mr. Bangle, retained a distinct link to their visual heritage. Now which mark is more distinctive and attractive?
Euri | Nov 15, 2009 | Reply
Well Richard, It is my fellow-countryman Mr. Adriaan van Hooydonk, who is responsible for the new (un-clean)looks of bmw’s line-up. I must admit that they are not all that photogenic anymore, but doen’t that count for MB as well?
What I didn’t understand was the radical design change of Mr. Bangle during his career at BMW. He designed wonderfull vehicles like the former e46 3-series, especially the pre-facelift generation,and the magnificent Z8. What was going on in his head when he came up with the blatant e65 7-series? A radical change in the line-up begun with that specific car. Adriaan (or Adrian in English) hooked up very smoothly on the new design theme with his all new 6-series design. Then I kwnew everything was going to change. However, recently I saw some sketches of the 2010 5-series… I think we are heading back to the glory days again!
G | Nov 15, 2009 | Reply
I like your optimism, Euri!