BMW unveils the 644bhp XM plug-in hybrid SUV, the brand's first M-only car since the 1970s
Even more power on the way
BMW has unveiled the XM, a vehicle exclusive to the company’s M division and the first since the M1 of the 1970s not to have a direct non-M equivalent in BMW’s line-up.
A wedgy supercar, however, the XM is not: instead, it’s a 644bhp plug-in hybrid SUV powered by an electric motor and a twin-turbo V8 and, if that kind of horsepower isn’t enough, there’s the promise of even more powerful versions coming down the line.
The styling, previewed last year on BMW’s Concept XM, is likely to prove contentious, with the predictably enormous kidney grille outlined in gold lighting with illuminated inner contours. Flanking the kidneys are a new take on a twin-headlight design and sharp, deep air intakes.
In profile, the XM’s roofline tapers away towards the rear, meeting, just behind the rear side windows, an accent line running from the flared front wheel arches that rises to meet the descending structure of the roof.
The XM sits, as standard, on 21in alloy wheels, though larger 22in and 23in rims are available as options.
At the rear, the production version has retained the slim, hook-shaped taillights of the concept that jut out from the body, wrapping around the sides of the car, while protruding from either side of the rear diffuser are the hexagonal tailpipe tips, stacked vertically with two on each side.
Inside, the XM gets the curved display screen found in other BMW models incorporating the driver’s instrument cluster and central infotainment touchscreen, all set against a surface in a decorative matte black carbon-effect.
M-specific digital graphics and other design elements such as the pedals and illuminated door sill plates bearing the M logo set the XM’s interior apart from other models in the BMW line-up, though overall there’s still plenty in common with the likes of the iX and X7.
Standard are the heated, cooled and massaging multi-way electrically-adjustable front seats, while the rear has seating for three, albeit with the middle seat intended for more occasional use and a higher level of comfort in the two outer seats.
The backrests of the two outer seats wrap around towards the rear doors and are shaped in such a way as to allow the two occupants to face each other. Both of the outer rear seats are heated, with a middle armrest providing cupholders and slots for smartphones. Occupants can also mount their tablet devices on the rear of the front seats using quick-release connectors, with four-zone climate control keeping things just as cool in the rear as the front.
The whole cabin is clad as standard in black leather with grey stitching and Alcantara accents for a sportier feel (other colours and contrasts are available as options), while the headliner above is bordered with fibre-optic lighting for a sparkling effect.
Behind the rear seats, boot space comes in at a substantial 527 litres but, folding the rear 40:20:40 split backrest down expands the load capacity to a hefty 1,820 litres.
Prodigious plug-in power
Powering the XM is BMW’s latest generation of 4.4-litre V8 engine, producing 482bhp on its own. When combined with a 194bhp electric motor, the powertrain develops up to 644bhp in total and 590lb ft of torque.
The plug-in hybrid powertrain allows the XM to sprint from rest to 62mph in 4.3 seconds, with the 25.7kWh battery facilitating electric-only running of just over 50 miles and a maximum speed under battery power alone of up to 87mph.
Battery top-ups from empty to full are possible in four and a quarter hours or so with AC charging at up to 7.4kW.
All of the XM’s power is sent to the four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, though if the driver wants a bit more control, they can use the standard steering wheel-mounted gearshift paddles.
The interplay between battery and motor, as well as the fashion in which the power is delivered, can all be changed by adjusting the driving modes using the central touchscreen.
Comfort mode, for example, uses as much of the battery’s power as possible, with the system sending energy gleaned from regenerative braking back into the battery; e-Control aims to preserve the battery’s charge for electric-only driving in urban areas, for instance, by using more of the engine’s power to drive the wheels while topping-up the battery with the regenerative braking; 4WD Sport mode biases more of the XM’s power towards the rear wheels for sportier handling.
Other elements keeping the XM that bit more poised on the road include a bespoke rear differential designed for the high torque output of the plug-in hybrid system, adaptive electronically-controlled damping, a 48-volt active roll-stabilisation system, and all-wheel steering to make the XM both more manoeuvrable around town and more stable in high-speed lane-changes.
A meaty braking system provides the stopping power with six-piston fixed calipers up front.
BMW XM prices
Pricing for the BMW XM starts from £144,980, though those in search of more power may want to hold off on placing an order for the moment: BMW has said that arriving next year will be the XM Label Red using the same core powertrain, but with 738bhp.
Related articles
- After reading about the new BMW XM, you might like to check out our review of the pure-electric BMW iX
- Also check out our review of the BMW iX3 mid-sized SUV
- And don’t miss our track review of the pure-electric Porsche Taycan GTS
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