The BMW XM is the result of a newly developed M Hybrid drive system and an outlandish design for what is a Sports Activity Vehicle that packs high performance, typical of BMW's M cars, aiming at customers and markets who look to experience a bit of the sports car DNA in what is, to our eyes, an SUV that's gotten multiple steroid shots in the arm.
The BMW XM also highlights the company's anniversary year, and with the XM, it's a bit more special, because it is the first BMW M original since the iconic BMW M1 supercar from the late 70s.
It's not only outrageously handsome, and while BMW claims there's a hint of the M1 in the XM, we completely disagree. BMW will start producing the XM SAV at the Spartanburg plant in the United States by later this year, while the rest of the globe will see it sometime in spring 2023. America is a very important market for a model like the XM, considering how much the folks here love all the M cars.
Now, while the XM has lots going for it, we can't help but point out that it's genuinely the slowest M product that will go on sale soon.
Why The BMW XM is The Slowest M Car Today
Let's run you through some quick and exciting numbers. The BMW M3 sedan can accelerate from 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds; the BMW M4 can do the same sprint in 3.5 seconds; the BMW M4 CSL can do it in 3.7 seconds, while the M5 Competition manages it in 3.3 seconds.
The M8 Competition goes from 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds; the X4 M Competition does it in 3.8 seconds. Now coming to heavy-weights, or more aptly, the SUVs. It takes the BMW X5 M 3.8 seconds to go from 0-60mph.
The X6 M Competition can do it in 3.8 seconds. The latest BMW XM is the slowest M car to accelerate from 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds, and understandably so, since it weighs in at a portly 5975 lbs. In terms of dimensions, the BMW XM is very similar to the X7.
BMW XM: From Concept To Production With Minimal Changes
The BMW XM is, to some extent, better looking than a Lamborghini Urus and Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, and we know that many of you will want to spam us for saying that, but it is what it is; the XM has lines, the edges, and surfaces to have any performance SUV hide its face with a paper bag.
It is indeed muscular, and the stretched silhouette gives its gargantuan proportions. Nothing is out of place though, except for those flared nostrils up-front that look like they belong on an angered Chinese dragon. It's ridiculously large, BMW - and we hope you're reading this.
The signature M-styling is visible, and rather necessary, considering this one will sell in large numbers for two reasons: it's an SUV firstly, and secondly, it's an M product - and Americans love M cars, unlike the British that would prefer something more sedate-looking
Don't mistake the triangular patterns below the bonnet for being the headlights, because the headlights sit above the gloss black treatment at the front. The kidney grille, which is not sized like kidneys anymore, has gold-colored surrounds and lighting that borders it all around - and BMW has pushed this specific design element for production.
It's got huge air intakes, big enough to give the grille itself competition. The side profile isn't bad at all, thanks to the pumped-up wheel arches and the gold accent band that outlines the windows, and thank goodness this element has made it to production. But the hidden-away door handles haven't, and we thought so.
A few other design touches that have been inspired from the past include the BMW logos that have been engraved into the flat rear window. The shape of the tail lights is perhaps one of the best we've seen on an SUV; they are better defined as artistic sculptures of glass.
The SAV comes with 21-inch wheels as standard, but there are 23-inchers to choose from as well - and the M light-alloy wheels look great, fitting with the overall look perfectly.
BMW XM Packs V8 Hybrid Power
The combined interplay between the engine and the electric motor results in performance that are worthy of the M badge. The energy-charged sound for the 8-cylinder engine originates from the sports exhaust system that features electronically controlled, continuously adjustable flaps and hexagonal dual tailpipes that sit one above the other - something we've never seen on a BMW.
All the power produced is sent to the road via the all-wheel-drive M xDrive system. The rear-biased setup becomes prominent in 4WD Sport mode. There's even a 4WD Sand mode, specifically designed to tackle dunes and steep climbs.
Source: BMW