As BMW M GmbH continues its 50th-anniversary celebrations, they have unveiled their first-ever high-performance car with an electrified drive system, called the BMW XM. The car features a plug-in hybrid system that comprises a V8 petrol engine and a powerful electric motor that delivers exceptional dynamic prowess.
The M HYBRID drive system in the BMW XM generates an overall output of 480 kW/653 hp, which is a combination of the combustion engine with up to 360 kW/489 hp and the electric drive system with up to 145 kW/197 hp. The car is equipped with a newly developed V8 engine that features M TwinPower Turbo technology, a cross-bank exhaust manifold, and an optimized oil separation process. An electric motor integrated into the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission provides instant propulsive power to the car, delivering an unhesitating response to every movement of the accelerator. The M HYBRID drive system produces a maximum overall torque of 800 Nm/590 lb-ft, and a pre-gearing stage increases the electric motor’s effective maximum torque to 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) at the transmission input.
The interplay between the engine and motor in the BMW XM is intelligently managed to provide a well-resolved performance experience that lives up to the M badge in all driving situations. The car delivers immense power, which starts instantly and is sustained throughout the rev range. With its sports exhaust system featuring electronically controlled, continuously adjustable flaps and hexagonal dual tailpipes arranged one above the other for the first time on a BMW M model, the car produces an energy-charged soundtrack with rare emotional appeal for an eight-cylinder unit.
The BMW XM can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.3 seconds. The car features an M Hybrid button on the center console that enables drivers to choose one of three operating modes, including an ELECTRIC setting that allows cruising with zero local emissions at speeds of up to 140 km/h (87 mph) and over a maximum distance of 82 – 88 km (51 – 55 miles)* in the WLTP cycle. The BMW XM has a lithium-ion high-voltage battery mounted in its underbody, which provides 25.7 kWh of usable energy.
The car’s Combined Charging Unit enables AC charging at up to 7.4 kW. The BMW XM comes with an all-wheel-drive system, M xDrive, which channels the power generated by the drive duo to the road. The car has a rear-biased setup, which is particularly noticeable in 4WD Sport mode. Additionally, drivers can choose 4WD Sand mode, which has been specially designed for driving over dunes and similar surfaces. The M Sport differential in the rear axle is also fully variable and can be operated as per the driver’s preference.
The BMW XM boasts an exterior design that conveys an air of exclusivity, presence and performance. With its modern SAV proportions, powerful contours and dynamically stretched silhouette, the car’s M-typical design cues and reworked front-end look designed for BMW’s luxury-segment models give it a singularly extroverted aura. At the front, the BMW kidney grille with gold-colored surrounds and continuous contour lighting, split headlights and large air intakes are the key features.
The side of the car is characterized by an accent band in Gold, which is reminiscent of the black strip running along the body of the BMW M1. The BMW logos are engraved into the flat rear window and the rear lights have a louvred structure that enhances their sculptural appearance. The M light-alloy wheels come in a 21-inch format as standard with the option of further variants up to 23 inches in size. The car’s interior features a unique sculptural headliner with a three-dimensional prism structure, photo mount-style border and 100 LED units for illumination. There is a choice of four different trims for customizing the interior, including a new Vintage leather for the upper sections of the instrument panel and door panels. Standard features include ambient lighting, four-zone automatic climate control, the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System and the Travel & Comfort System, while the options list includes the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System with 1,500-watt amplifier and four additional speakers in the roof area.
The control panel located on the center console of the BMW XM has been designed to offer a range of buttons, enabling the driver to personalize their driving experience in numerous ways. The M Hybrid button is a new addition to the control panel, allowing drivers to select their preferred operating mode for the drive system. The options available are HYBRID, ELECTRIC, and eCONTROL modes. The Setup button provides direct access to the drive system’s configuration settings, such as the chassis, steering, braking system, M xDrive, and level of braking energy recuperation.
The M Mode button is also available on the control panel, enabling drivers to switch between the default Road setting and Sport mode. Sport mode limits the driver assistance systems to only the essential functions required for sporty driving, and reduces the content shown in the information display. Two individually configured vehicle setups can be stored, including preferred settings for the M HYBRID system’s operating mode, the engine note, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), and the transmission’s shift characteristics, which can be recalled using the M buttons on the steering wheel.
BMW Live Cockpit Professional comes as standard with the BMW XM and includes an M-specific version of the latest-generation multi-sensory vehicle experience, BMW iDrive. Based on BMW Operating System 8, it features a BMW Curved Display consisting of a 12.3-inch information display and a control display with a screen diagonal of 14.9 inches. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and the cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system are integrated into the iDrive. Additionally, the iDrive Controller and multifunction buttons on the steering wheel are joined by the BMW Head-Up Display and BMW gesture control, both of which come as standard.
The BMW Digital Key Plus is an optional feature that enables customers to lock and unlock their new BMW XM using their Apple iPhone through the use of security-enhanced ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology. Smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, the personalized BMW ID functionality, and an eSIM designed for 5G mobile technology are also available for use in the BMW XM.
