Aesthetically and also ecologically the BMW XM is a rather questionable vehicle. From an economic point of view, the SUV in the bulky baroque brick design should be worthwhile for the Munich car manufacturer. It will be on the market next year – for 170,000 euros and upwards.
There are several premieres in the new BMW XM: The massive crossover is the first electrified model from the group’s own high-performance forge M GmbH and at the same time the first independent vehicle from the in-house tuner since the legendary M1. Last but not least, the top version of the 5.11 meter long plug-in hybrid bears the title of the most powerful production BMW of all time. The driving superlative will come onto the market in April next year at prices starting at 170,000 euros.
Visually, the XM remains close to the study of the same name presented last year. The deliberately bulky and extroverted SUV not only exceeds European standards in terms of body dimensions, but also has what is probably the largest expression of the radiator grille kidney, which is also illuminated and framed with a gold band.
BMW itself wants to recognize stylistic elements of the mid-engine sports car M1 in the five-door model and cites the lamellar structure of the rear lights as an example. Inside, the expansive dimensions are of course reflected in a generous amount of space, which is further refined in the rear with lounge seats and a sculptural headliner.
This focus on the rear passengers, which is rather unusual for the Munich-based company, is likely to be a concession to the target customers, just like the clumsy, baroque design, which is expected above all in China, the USA and the Middle East, who also like to be chauffeured and their To put it mildly, taste from a European point of view can rather be described as extroverted.
A plug-in hybrid based on a 4.4-liter V8 petrol engine is standard as the drive. The combustion engine is known from the M5, among other things, but is supported here for the first time by an electric motor that sits in the housing of the eight-speed automatic transmission. Together they achieve a system output of 480 kW/653 hp and accelerate the XM, which weighs almost 2.8 tons, to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds.
At the push of a button, a purely electric mode can be activated, which allows a top speed of 140 km/h, and the manufacturer specifies the range from the 25.7 kWh battery as up to 82 kilometers. The large BMW is surprisingly lame when charging: a maximum output of 7.4 kW is available, and there is no fast charging connection.
In autumn 2023, an even stronger variant will be added to the range, which will run under the new “Label Red” sub-brand. With a system output of 550 kW/748 hp, this leaves all the other sports cars of the brand behind. To ensure that the XM drives dynamically in every version, BMW has taken over and refined the steel chassis of the X5 M. Among other things, adaptive dampers, 48-volt roll stabilization, rear-wheel steering and a rear-heavy all-wheel drive should make you forget the heavy weight.
Also new is a special driving mode for sand – also with a view to the targeted clientele. The main competitors of the BMW XM there include luxury SUVs such as Lamborghini Urus, Aston Martin DBX and Bentley Bentayga.
