Hold on to your hats: yes, we are living in the era of the £145k, hybrid-powered BMW M car – the 2785kg-heavy, 5.1m-long, 644bhp PHEV brute that is the XM. Thoughts? 🧐
You’re looking at the XM, the latest weapon produced by BMW’s M-division, and probably the most divisive yet. Put the looks to one side for the moment, and it’s everything you’d expect from an M-badged car: there’s trick drive modes, a silly 0-62mph launch of 4.3 seconds and a high-revving V8 with forced-induction – only now it’s also helped by hybrid power. That’s a first for any M car.Stop looking at the grilles – we’ll get to those later.
If you think that’s overkill, you’d be right; the XM uses the same drive concept that BMW will be using in its forthcoming LMDh racecar – though here it’s stuffed into an SUV-thing. And if that’s not enough, Munich has already earmarked 2023 for the release of even more powerful BMW XM. Called the XM Label Red, it has a terrible name and an entirely sensible 738hp.Power is funneled to all four wheels by an eight-speed Steptronic transmission.
Drive goes to all-four-wheels as standard, and there’s also DSC to improve grip in slippery conditions. BMW hasn’t specifically mentioned a ‘drift mode’ but it’ll most certain pop up.The XM is 5110mm long, and 2005mm wide – making it the widest car you can get from the brand. It’ll use double wishbone front axle along with a five-link rear axle.