The 2023 BMW XM is the spiritual successor to the M1 as BMW’s second standalone M car but goes against its principles with a truck-like weight and massive proportions.
It’s almost been a year since BMW revealed its Concept XM – many were conflicted over the unique front end and the overall questionable styling. Now, the automaker has introduced us to the production version, and it’s the most powerful M car ever. Yes, BMW is against releasing a supercar and will replace it with a Super-SUV instead.
You must be thinking — this isn’t an M car, but BMW thinks it is. The XM is the only model in BMW’s line-up that is only available in high-performance M variants, and thus it’s a direct descendant of the M1 that made enthusiasts dream in 1981. The XM is surely not an enthusiast’s dream car, but I have no doubt BMW will sell more — much more, in fact. Fortunately, BMW kept the V8 here, though only as a plug-in hybrid.
XM: The Most Powerful BMW to Date
The XM’s twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 is well-known from other models, such as the X5M and M5, but here it gets help from an electric motor that sits inside the 8-speed automatic transmission’s housing. As a result, the “basic” model pushes 644 hp and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) to all four wheels — 483 hp from the ICE and 194 hp from the electric motor (both can never give full power, hence 644 hp).
The power numbers are undoubtedly impressive, but XM’s 0-60 mph acceleration time of 4.1 seconds falls well behind its competition. For instance, the Lamborghini Urus needs only 3.3 seconds, and it’s the same with the Aston Martin DBX 707 only needs 3.1 seconds. The XM will stop at an electronically-limited 155 mph (250 km/h), but buyers can opt for a 168 mph (270 km/h) package.
Almost As Fat as a Pickup Truck
The reason is XM’s sheer mass — it weighs pickup-truck-rivaling 6,062 lbs (2,750 kg), which is just too much for a performance vehicle — even an SUV! Now, the XM is massive at 201.2-ft long and 78.0-ft wide, but it also carries a sizeable 25.7-kWh battery that — wait for this — only provides a 30-mile (50 km) range. So, it’s 1/3 the capacity of a long-range EV battery, yet it provides a range that can’t even rival regular PHEVs. So, despite being a plug-in hybrid, the XM seems like an exercise in how to make the least efficient vehicle possible. Maybe those lithium resources would’ve found better use elsewhere?
But if you don’t care about the environment and have (a lot of) money burning in your pocket, BMW will launch the Label Red version next summer, packing a staggering 735 hp and 735 (997 Nm) lb-ft of torque. The much higher torque should give the Label Red XM better acceleration off the line, though BMW still hasn’t provided performance specs.
BMW says that the XM isn’t only about straight-line performance. The XM should be more agile in the corners thanks to the rear-biased AWD xDrive system, a 50/50 weight distribution, a limited-slip differential, and Integral Active Steering. Still, let’s not forget that this thing weighs as much as a pickup truck, so it will be interesting to see if BMW succeeded.
Gorgeous Interior Space
Despite its vast proportions, the XM will only seat five people — no third row here, sorry. Fortunately, there is ample legroom and headroom on all seats and an interior space that overshadows its competition by a mile. The two-tone vintage leather dashboard and seats look gorgeous in the photos and unite excellently with the curved screen (instruments and infotainment) and LED light effects. It’s how a luxurious interior should be designed — at least looking at the photos.
Being the company’s flagship, the XM will be big on technology; apart from the advanced infotainment that packs BMW’s latest iDrive 8 software, the Super-SUV packs the highest number of driver assistance systems of any BMW to date.
Questionable Design
And let’s get to the elephant in the room — the design. Obviously, the XM doesn’t bear many similarities to the M1 — it’s a massive chunk of metal that doesn’t even try to hide its size. The proportions seem spot-on, and the 23-inch fits the body very well, but there is no getting away from the fact that it feels over-styled. From the massive illuminated front grille to the hunched sides, there is almost no sophistication in the design — most of it seems superfluous, in fact. Still, BMW knows its buyers very well, and the XM will undoubtedly appeal to the “get out of my way” type of people, who almost always buy a car with the propeller logo.
Production kicks off later this year, and sales begin in the first quarter of 2023. The base XM starts at $159,000 without destination and handling charges. Meanwhile, the Label Red model will set you up $185,000, with production beginning mid-2023.
Gallery: 2023 BMW XM
