BMW prices the ActiveHybrid X6 starting at $89,725

by Sam Abuelsamid

For your hard-earned $89,725, you can have your pick of V8-powered BMW X6s. That substantial pile of dosh will secure you the keys to the Bavarian automaker's monster 555-horsepower X6 M or its new X6 ActiveHybrid. Unlike rival Mercedes-Benz which has opted to make its ML450 hybrid available exclusive by lease, BMW will sell the ActiveHybrid X6 outright to all comers, whoever they may be. Unlike most BMWs, the option list for the hybrid is relatively limited, although we suspect the folks at BMW Individual will be only too happy to customize one to your heart's content.

During our recent first drive of the gas-electric version of Bimmer's so-called "Sport Activity Coupe," we only saw 16 mpg in a test loop that consisted primarily of Miami traffic, a bit shy of official 17/19 mpg EPA estimates. Aside from the hood bulge and the wheels, there isn't much to visually distinguish the hybrid from non-M X6s, and with its still-considerable appetite for fuel, we have hard time seeing the value in ponying up nearly $90k for this vehicle – especially when you can get the giggle-inducing lunacy that is the X6 M for equal coin.

Of course, a flawed value equation hasn't stopped many other vehicles we know from selling – especially ones sporting a green halo – but we'll find out if BMW has played their cards right when the X6 ActiveHybrid goes on sale beginning December 5. High-res gallery below, official press release with option pricing after the jump.

NASCAR's Dickies 500 shows you how to properly deliver a pace car

by Alex Nunez

The official pace car for last weekend's Dickies 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race was none other than the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS. This, in itself, is no biggie. What's interesting is how the car was delivered to the Texas Motor Speedway prior to the race. If you watched sports over the weekend, you know that salutes to America's veterans were part of just about every event that took place (Veterans Day is tomorrow, remember).

As part of that theme, NASCAR had the Camaro delivered to the track in a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. In the video posted after the jump, you'll see the big heavy-lift chopper touch down, drop its ramp, have the Chevy drive on out, and take back off. At the wheel of the Camaro was NASA astronaut Doug Hurley, who is also a TMS season-ticket holder, a United States Marine Corps colonel, and was the pilot of the shuttle Endeavour on this year's STS-127 mission. Pretty. Freaking. Cool. In fact, short of the Camaro and Chinook subsequently turning into robots and fighting each other on the TMS infield, it doesn't get much cooler. Follow the jump to watch.