Oct 20, 2022 at 10:09am ET
When BMW first showed photos of the XM plug-in hybrid super SUV launched to celebrate 50 years of Motorsport, the internet immediately started picking it apart. The main points of contention were its unusual styling, its name, the fact that it was electrified and, of course, the fact that it’s an SUV.
Even the fact that it still had a big V8 under the hood didn’t please the haters, nor did its 653 horsepower and 800 Nm [590 pound-foot] output. There’s going to be an even more powerful Red Label version which will have in excess of 750 horsepower, with peak torque rising to 1,000 Nm [737 pound feet] - these are impressive numbers for an SUV.
Gallery: 2023 BMW XM
But now that the scene has settled down a few months after the BMW XM was first shown online, opinions seem to be changing. The XM is, after all, mainly aimed at the American and Chinese markets [even if BMW doesn’t overtly say it] and the manufacturer reportedly received very good feedback and is expecting this model to be a success.
Why even in my native Romania where SUVs are also very popular, BMW expects to sell a few dozens of these per year. When I attended the local reveal last night, held in a very suitable location in northern Bucharest, hey announced that even on the small local market they already had 15 orders for the vehicle, which is expected to cost around €180,000 with some options.
And seeing this brash, brutish sports SUV in person, I began to understand where the appeal stems from. Firstly, though, I’d like to make it clear that I too was one of the people who criticized BMW for making a plug-in hybrid SUV as its half-century anniversary vehicle.
The XM is where BMW’s luxury department shares a boardroom with their grungy M power division. Long story short, they’ve just unveiled their most powerful M car of all time with the suave of a 7 series. In terms of design, things certainly seem rather aggressive, don’t you think? The kidney grilles are more prominent than ever thanks to its illuminated outlining. More so, the ultra-thin daytime running lights may seem a bit too sleek. They’ve actually redesigned the LED headlights and the signature DRLs so that they break into two modules.
To the rear, BMW seems to be making the most out of the space at hand, take a look at the rear window design, you’ll see how. Also, the taillights too are merely an LED strip now, it’s crisp and clear. All in all the BMW XM has a 122-inch wheelbase and is grounded by 23-inch wheels.
Powering this is a hefty twin-turbo 4.4-litre V-8 guzzler that comes linked with a 25.7-kWh battery. In total, they make about 644 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, which, in BMW’s books makes it their most powerful production M car ever, seconded by the M5 CS that does 627 horsepower. In case you’re wondering how the XM outmuscles its competition, here’s a quick comparison – The Merc AMG GLS 63 does 603 horsepower, the Lamborghini Urus makes 641 horsepower and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid can do 670 horsepower.
Inside, the BMX XM makes it look like you’re travelling back in time, sitting in a 1978 M1 with its vintage brown leather. We see carbon fibre upholstery, copper, leather, and velvet all through the cabin. The dashboard sees a BMW Curved Display which combines the infotainment screen and the driver’s heads-up display, jacked in with i-Drive. More so, the roof has an interesting three-dimensional prism-like structure that combines indirect and direct lighting. The rear seats get a lovely velvet skin too, promising that extra plush.
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All images: Courtesy brand
Mikhail Gomes
Features Editor, Lifestyle Asia India & Contributor - Augustman
A watch aficionado, Mikhail also enjoys learning about fine whiskies, and one day hopes to establish his own menswear label. At Lifestyle Asia India, he writes on watches, menswear, auto and tech.
- Men's Fashion
- Luxury Watches
- Technology
- Motors
- Men's Grooming
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