Here we have it. The BMW XM. The Bavarian company’s £145,000 middle finger to: the past, the future, internet commenters, Citroen enthusiasts, the anti-SUV brigade, eco warriors, aesthetes and traditionalists.
BMW’s first bespoke M car since the wild M1 supercar is on sale now, and it’s first and foremost an SUV. It’s also the widest car BMW makes, the first BMW PHEV M car and the most powerful production BMW ever.
How powerful is it?
BMW’s 4.4-litre V8 engine makes 489hp. An electric motor mounted to the transmission completes the equation, adding up to 197hp, bringing total power to 653hp.
Not enough for you? BMW is set to release an even more powerful, exclusive, expensive and obtuse model called the XM Label Red, which should make 738hp.
Electric range
Like other plug-in hybrids, the XM can scoot along in electric-only mode. Officially it’ll do 51-55 miles, with the top speed limited to 87mph in this mode. Again, as with other plug-in hybrids three figure mpg scores are on the cards. Theoretically it can do 188.3mpg.
Practicalities
The XM is 5110mm long, and 2005mm wide. In other words, pretty large. It’s limited to five seats, rather than seven, but passengers do get lots of room. And the boot measures in at 527 litres, which is a little bit bigger than BMW’s all-electric iX.
Speaking of which, its infotainment system is nicked from that car. So there are two curved 14.5-inch screens featuring all the tech you could really want.
Why?
The XM uses the engine concept that BMW will be using in its forthcoming LMDh (Le Mans Daytona h) race car. Manufacturers like to show a correlation between its race teams and road cars as a way of offsetting some of the manufacturing costs.
But why stick the race car tech in something so outlandish? BMW’s big grille has been subject to internet commenters complaining, motor racing fans making memes and designers asking big questions.
An ‘unapologetic expression of originality’. BMW is doubling down on the grilles. Its designs are getting bigger, bolder, more unconventional. It’s using its social media channels to reiterate the design ethos. Just look at that Instagram post.
The reaction
We haven’t really detailed the styling because it is subjective. But it’s proved divisive among internet commenters.
One Instagram user mused: ‘So you guys are serious about destroying the bmw [sic] soul and designing an ugly or lego car huh?’ While others have described it as ‘awesome’ and ‘fire’.
What this means for you
The XM is what manufacturers like to call a ‘halo car’. It debuts design flourishes, technology and engineering that people buying its bread and butter bestsellers will soon get.
But importantly, the XM is a firm underlining of BMW’s intentions. The controversial design is where the company is going. The V8 petrol engine shows there’s still life in combustion yet. The SUV shape is here to stay.
Are you a BMW regular? If so, that front end, those haunches, its middle fingers in the air attitude will soon trickle down to your 3 Series and X5.
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