BMW’s high-performance M department as part of its 50th anniversary has brought out its first-ever high-performance car with a plug-in hybrid drive system, the XM.
The monolithic SUV gets its power from a V8 engine in combination with a battery-powered motor, while it’s claimed to sip petrol at a combined 1.5-1.6l/100km.
For any enthusiasts who want to see the XM it will be on display at this year’s M Fest at Kyalami from 15-16 October, which is earmarked to be the biggest festival of its kind in the world, said BMW.
First BMW M since the M1
Its makers call the XM “the first BMW M original since the BMW M1” from 1978 – a massive compliment considering the M1 got its own racing championship and to this day is one of BMW’s most-popular art cars.
With its high-revving 4.4-litre V8 engine and M TwinPower Turbo technology, in partnership with an “exceptionally powerful” electric motor, the XM generates a huge 480kW and 800Nm – 360kW and 650Nm of that coming from fossil fuels and the rest from electricity.
An eight-speed automatic gearbox connects to BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system with a fully-variable rear differential, this powertrain allowing the SUV to climb to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds up to a limited 250km/h.
The 25.7kWh battery also provides an emissions-free driving range of between 82-88km at a maximum of 140km/h, and it supports charging with a 7.4kW AC plug.
Apart from fully electric, the XM has a rear-wheel-biased 4WD Sport mode along with a 4WD Sand mode “which has been conceived specifically for driving over dunes and similar surfaces,” said the manufacturer.
In addition, the new M car comes with adaptive M suspension Professional which brings electronically controlled dampers with Active Roll Control, and it’s the first M model to feature rear-wheel steering as standard, too.
As is customary from BMW, the interior is highly driver-centric with front seats “designed entirely around an active driving experience,” said the automaker.
Standard specification includes four-zone automatic climate control, Harman Kardon surround sound, the Travel and Comfort package, M multifunction seats, knee pads, a model-exclusive leather steering wheel, and M-specific graphics such as shift lights for the curved dash display and heads-up display.
This is alongside the Live Cockpit Professional system comprising a 12.3-inch driver’s display and a 14.9-inch infotainment panel.
Of course, the XM will also get its fair share of the latest driver assistance features, including front collision warning, lane departure warning with lane return and steering assistance, evasion assistant, alertness assistant, speed-limit info, reversing assistant, parking view, and front, rear, and 3D view.
In the second row, BMW has crafted an “exclusive M lounge” featuring heated backrests extending into the sides of the compartment, specially-designed cushions, and 100 LED units for illumination.
The flagship also rolls around on 21-inch wheels as standard, with the choice to take these up to 23.
On the options list, buyers can spec four different cabin trims, vintage leather finishes for the upper sections of the instrument panel and door panels, a 1,500W Bowers and Wilkins stereo, and active cruise control.
XM Label Red
In the latter half of 2023, BMW will debut the XM Label Red which is said to be “the most powerful road-legal series-produced car in the history of BMW M.”
The vehicle is still in production but sounds promising, as preliminary testing shows it will be capable of a total system output of 550kW and 1,000Nm.
BMW XM
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