The prototype of BMW’s Concept XM has been seen again, which ensures that the designs of the two vehicles will be very similar.
The XM is a new flagship SUV closely related to the X7, with wheelbases common to both models. And as the name implies, the XM is a dedicated BMW M model, the first since the M1 was launched more than four decades ago. The XM will be coming later this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the BMW M, which means we have to look at it as a 2023 model.
There are still a lot of camouflage gears but we can already make the shape of the grill. You’ll also notice that there’s a thin strip at the front of the hood, just like the concept, but instead of the concept’s ceiling-mounted lights, the production XM’s secondary lights are at the bottom of the front fascia. This new split-headlight design will be shared with BMW’s redesigned 2023 7-Series and updated 2023 X7.
On the back, the roof-mounted spoiler holds the twin-peak design of the concept, albeit in a tone-down fashion. The design motif is a compliment on the back of the M1, the concept even has a small BMW logo on each peak. Also common with the idea is the exhaust tips stacked on either side of the rear diffuser insert.
We can’t see the interior but here we expect a similar design to the concept. This means that screens for instrument cluster and infotainment systems will be added and will feature a floating design, which we first saw on the iX. The concept features two separate seats on the back, though the production model will likely offer a three-seat bench option.
We know that Powertrain will be a plug-in hybrid setup that uses a newly developed 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 as an internal-combustion component. Combined outputs will be around 750 hp and 737 lb-ft of torque, making the XM the most powerful BMW road car ever. If engineers go with BMW’s existing plug-in hybrid design, a single electric motor sandwich will be made between the V-8 and the transmission.
BMW Concept XM
BMW Concept XM
BMW Concept XM
BMW reported Motor authority Concept reveals in XM that a battery with a capacity of more than 20 kWh will provide some decent electrical range.
While this has not yet been confirmed, a Temer version of the plug-in hybrid setup may be offered on a Base XM, while the 750-hp version is reserved for something like the XM Competition model.
The M Division has already hinted at an electrified future with the Vision M Next concept of 2019, a plug-in hybrid supercar that sadly no longer seems production-dependent. BMW’s in-house tuner and motorsport division is also building battery-electric powertrains. The first of these is the 536-hp setup on the i4 M50. An iX M60 has also been launched, and we’ve heard that by 2024 the next M5 plug-in may come with a choice of hybrid or battery-electric power. Stay tuned.