BMW Unveils the XM, the Most Powerful Vehicle in its History

The following vehicle leaves the factory with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, but let’s just say that its primary mission is to deliver a good dose of thrills to the passengers who will take a seat on board. The 2023 BMW XM was finally officially unveiled after months of anticipation, the new M division car that becomes the first vehicle entirely imagined by the brand’s sports wing since the very first car to wear the M badge, the timeless M1. Remember that these days, the automaker is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its M division, so the arrival of the XM is no surprise.

At first glance, the design of the sporty crossover borrows several elements from the concept unveiled in 2021. At the front, for example, the knife-edge grille is back, and it can even be illuminated at night. In profile, the window is defined by this strip that starts at the side mirrors and goes all the way to the C-pillar at the back before returning not far from the charging hatch on the front fender. In profile, the 23-inch wheels fill the wheel arches quite well. However, 22-inch wheels will be available as an option for those who fear potholes. The design of the rear lights has been simplified, as have the side handles, which are no longer integrated into the doors. The headlights at the front have been given the same two-tiered treatment as on the new 2023 X7. At the rear, the vertically mounted exhaust pipes are an unusual arrangement on a production vehicle, as are those BMW badges on the upper corners of the rear window.

Under the hood is a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine that delivers 483 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque on its own. To help it achieve its ultimate performance, the engine is paired with an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. The small electric motor adds 194 horsepower. The 2023 XM, therefore, produces a total of 644 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, but that’s not all, as the manufacturer is also preparing a Label Red model, expected later this spring. The latter will deliver 735 horsepower and 735 lb-ft. Of course, the xDrive all-wheel drive system revised by the folks at M Division is part of the formula for this all-new utility vehicle.

Limited to 250 km/h in its most affordable guise, the XM can go 270 km/h with the optional “M Driver” package, while 0-96 km/h is achieved in 4.1 seconds, an impressive statistic, but not against some utility rivals. The vehicle’s very heavy weight is to blame here. At over 6,000 lbs, the BMW XM is a heavyweight, not least because of that 25.7 kWh battery, the unit that allows a purely electric drive of only 50 km. Let’s face it, the BMW XM may be a PHEV, but its mission has nothing to do with some plug-in hybrid SUVs. The XM was developed for performance above all else. Fortunately, the vehicle has a 50:50 weight distribution.

Inside, the dashboard is reminiscent of the recent iX, with a large screen that extends to the center of the dashboard, while a good old-fashioned shifter sits in the center of the front row. To emphasize the very sporty nature of the vehicle, the XM has only four seats.

Heavier and more expensive than an X7, the BMW XM is less roomy and certainly more controversial, at least in terms of styling. Production of this new model will begin before the end of the year. We can therefore expect to see it in Canadian dealerships in early 2023.