BMW XM: U.S.-made hybrid SUV set for release this year [Update]

Update: ‘Exterior,’ ‘Interior,’ ‘Powertrain & Performance,’ and ‘Production & Release Date’ sections updated.

After nearly five years of rumors and speculations of an SUV above the X7, BMW Group has confirmed that it will launch the BMW XM this year. The company unveiled the BMW Concept XM in 2021 to give an idea of the design and its features. However, the production version is already undergoing road-testing on the public roads, and car-spotters have filmed prototypes on numerous occasions.

Take a look at what we know so far about BMW’s future performance SUV flagship.

Exterior

The BMW XM is a new and stunning departure from the traditional BMW SUV. The car is designed for customers who are bold, outgoing, and wish to go down a road less traveled.

The BMW Concept XM is the brand’s first model to feature its new front-end design for its luxury-class models. Image Source: BMW Group

The giant kidney grille, split headlights, boldly sculpted hood with huge power bulges, aggressive bumpers, super-slim and boldly L-shaped rear lights, and the dual-branch, vertically arranged, hexagonal-shaped, quad tailpipes give a monstrous appearance to the BMW XM.

Illuminated kidney grille

The Concept XM’s kidney grille is an illuminated piece that tapers towards the outer edges and makes a near-octagonal outline. The black elements of this grille, enclosed within an intricate surround, seem almost as if they are floating freely within a High-gloss Black surface. M-style double bars within the grille accentuate the width of the large SUV. If all this isn’t enough to make an onlooker get an idea of the model name, there’s an XM logo in the kidney grille to say the name.

Special exhaust system

The special exhaust system used in the concept, in addition to producing a rich exhaust note, reduces backpressure for the V8 engine. The sloping roofline and the sleek window graphic that narrows towards the rear lend it the highly aerodynamic styling of an SUV-coupe. Another exterior highlight is the unique positioning of the BMW logo at the rear, laser-etched into the back glass below each of the two cant rails. That’s a BMW M1-inspired styling cue.

Dual tone color

The Concept XM carries a two-tone color scheme that accentuates its distinctive lines. The upper section of the concept model is in matt gold-bronze and the lower section is in Space Grey metallic. A broad, High-gloss Black line, which BMW calls the “black belt,” is present below the window graphic to separate the upper and lower sections with two body colors. Massive, 23-inch alloy wheels are another exterior highlight of the Concept XM, a feature that adds to its powerful and dominating character.

Regarding the production vehicle

Compared to the concept, the showroom version of the BMW XM will be less dramatic but still have a clear offbeat style. The designers would need to modify the exterior to ensure everyday usability and safety. Expect larger headlights and rear lights, a smaller kidney grille, and cleaner body panels. The LED searchlights on the roof are unlikely to appear on the production version.

Source: Youtube/CarSpyMedia

Like the Concept XM, the production XM may feature an illuminated grille. BMW M chief Frank van Meel had said in 2021 that there will be more models with an illuminated kidney grille, following which we saw the i7 debut with that feature in April 2022. Domagoj Dukec, Head of Design, BMW, told BMWBlog in an interview in April 2022 that more BMWs will get this feature, which would help them have more road presence.

Like the concept and the 2023 BMW X7, the road-ready X7 may flaunt 23-inch alloy wheels. What won’t appear on the production version, spy shots have revealed, would be the iX-style flush door handles. Unlike the concept model, the production version will feature pull-type conventional door handles.

Interior

The BMW XM’s interior will look similar to that of the Concept XM (pictured) with special touches. Image Source: BMW Group

The interior is rather conventional in the BMW XM. Still, the design somehow has its own suave to set its image as the best upper-class BMW. The dashboard features the sleek-looking BMW Curved Display and distinctively designed three vertical AC vents in the center. A passenger grab handle connects this panel with the center console. The base for air vents, displays, and control/operating elements is made from carbon fiber with interwoven copper thread. M-specific references include accents on the steering wheel and center console and each of the three BMW M colors used as accents on the central AC vents in the front.

Most of the cockpit area features warm brown color, while the rear features a rich shade called ‘Petrol.’ The diamond-shaped area of the headrests is leather-trimmed, while the lower sections of the seats feature luxurious velvet upholstery and diamond quilting. A headliner with a 3D prism structure is another design highlight on the inside. One more noteworthy visual highlight of the interior is the ambient lighting, which is activatable in the three BMW colors.

Powertrain & Performance

The XM will be the first electrified BMW M high-performance model, and it will be available exclusively as an M Hybrid (electrified) vehicle. The BMW Concept XM sports a newly developed M Hybrid plug-in hybrid powertrain that clubs a V8 engine with an electric motor for a system power of 550 kW (737 hp) and a system torque of 1,000 Nm (737 lb.-ft.). It can travel up to 80 km solely on electric power. The charging flap is located behind the front-left wheel.

The BMW XM is not getting the vertical Kidney Grille of the iX (pictured), but remarks about its front-end will continue for a long time to come! Image source: BMW Group

A report from BMWBlog had said that the production XM will come in a standard sub-variant and a Competition sub-variant. The XM Competition may have the said plug-in hybrid system that delivers a system output of up to 552 kW (750 PS/740 hp). Considering the hybrid BMW SUV’s flagship status, the xDrive AWD system will be standard, while the transmission should be the 8-speed automatic borrowed from the X7. With such a powerhouse under the skin, calling it the BMW XM is befitting.

The XM will need all the power it can extract from its plug-in hybrid system and all the weight reduction measures BMW has available for commercialization. Christoph Fagschlunger has confirmed to carsales that the XM plug-in hybrid will be heavier than the seventh-gen 7 Series, including the first-ever i7 that weighs 2,715 kg or 5,986 lbs. (unladen, EU). Fagschlunger is the chief engineer of the Mk7 7 Series.

Features

From the BMW Laserlight headlights that provide visibility of about half a mile to the BMW iDrive 8 (BMW iDrive with BMW Operating System 8) that offers a whole new user experience and design, the XM should pack the best of the best features BMW has to offer. According to another report from BMWBlog, the wheel sizes will range from 21 to 23 inches, a rear differential will be standard, carbon-fiber trim will be available, and sport brakes will be available in dark blue, black, and red color options.

In the middle of 2023, BMW will introduce a self-driving assist feature in the XM, as per the report. The company is working to introduce Level 3 autonomous driving in 2022 on the iX, and models such as the XM should inherit it sooner or later. Currently, it offers Level 2 in the iX and is eyeing a clearer regulator framework for the introduction of the Level 3 autonomous driving system.

Equipment lines

On November 30, 2021, BMWBlog reported that the performance SUV would be available in three equipment lines: BMW XM Red Label, BMW XM Black Label, and BMW XM Competition, although it cautions that this is only a rumor. ‘Competition’ is familiar for a BMW, but Red Label and Black Label are new, presumably conceived to give XM customers a distinguished feeling. The Competition equipment line would be a different model variant in itself, as we discussed in the Powertrain & Performance section.

Production & Release Date

While some take it as an Audi Q8 challenger, the BMW XM is the Bavarian’s answer to the Range Rover Autobiography and Bentley Bentayga. BMW’s former head of development, Klaus Frohlich, had told Autocar in 2018 that a product such as the XM certainly has a market in places where this segment was growing fast.

Production of the BMW XM will take place at the company’s Spartanburg plant in the USA. BMW Group says that the United States will be the XM’s most important sales market. The company has said that it plans to start making the production XM from the end of the year. While it hasn’t revealed the precise start of production date, according to an Autocar report dated April 30, 2022, November 2022 is the scheduled month for the XM’s production start.

The BMW XM will be the first standalone M model since the legendary BMW M1. Image Source: BMW Group

The production BMW XM should break cover in the second half of 2022. According to Bimmerpost forum member ynguldyn, who seems to have insider information of BMW future models, the BMW XM (codename: BMW G09) enters production in December 2022.

BMW XM FAQs

What is the BMW XM release date?

The BMW XM will debut in production form this year. U.S. customer deliveries should commence in early 2023.

What are the rivals to the BMW XM?

The Range Rover Hybrid and Bentley Bentayga are key rivals of the future BMW SUV.

What is the expected price of the BMW XM?

The BMW XM should have a starting price in the region of 110,000-115,000 USD.

Featured Image Source: BMW Group

Keyword: BMW XM: U.S.-made hybrid SUV set for release this year [Update]