BMW has unveiled the production-spec XM SUV – the M division’s first electrified drivetrain vehicle. The XM is only the second BMW motorsport product to be built from the ground up since the mid-engined M1 supercar in the late 1970s.
As far as looks go, the Concept XM’s flush door handles and boomerang-style tail lamps have been swapped out for the conventional units. It has two roundels behind it as a throwback to the M1, but that’s pretty much where the similarities end.
BMW has kept close to the promise of the concept with elements such as a massively lit grille, split headlamp set-up and vertically stacked exhaust outlets among other bits. It also gets larger 23-inch wheels (275 and 315mm tires wrapped in the front and rear), though buyers can opt for a 22-inch or 21-inch depending on the variant.
The interior has been simplified a bit out of concept, but you get a unique two-tone theme combining vintage coffee merino leather with soft nappa leather. The headliner gets around 100 LEDs for lighting effects depending on the driving mode selected. It uses the latest iDrive 8 and comes with a heads-up display as standard, offering the widest range of driver assistance systems installed in BMW vehicles.
The rear seating area is modeled as ‘M Lounge’, with a greater focus on occupancy comfort than any M car before it, with integrated phone holders, luxurious quilted leather, a dedicated rear infotainment screen, a tablet mount and USB-C port, among standard features.
It’s a similar story unfolding too, however, as the XM focuses more on driver engagement than the similarly sized BMW X7. There are M-specific display modes for the wrap-around infotainment screen, M buttons on the steering wheel, carbon shift pedals, M-specific pedals and various sports-themed finishes and trim elements that make it distinctly marked off from a standard BMW SUV. We do. ,
The first M model with PHEV gets a charging port on the left-front fender, which will be in the same location as the next generation M5. Under the hood is the new S68 engine, a twin-turbo 483hp 4.4-litre V8 with mild-hybrid technology. However, there is a single electric motor inside its eight-speed gearbox that can generate 194hp for a total power output of 644hp. The torque figure combined is 800Nm.
The BMW XM SUV gets a full-time all-wheel drive, but the torque split can be rear-biased when 4WD Sport is engaged, and the M Sport differential can transfer power to the outer wheels to help with turn-in on paved surfaces. can shift over. Shut yourself down completely to power through the dunes. It also gets active roll stabilization courtesy electrically controlled anti-roll bars as part of the standard package, and the XM is the first full M car to be equipped with rear-axle steering.
BMW is also producing a more powerful 735hp version that will be revealed a little later and will be called the BMW XM Label Red.