The series-production model – the BMW XM – will be built from the end of 2022 at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the USA, the most important sales market for the new high-performance car.
The XM would become the first standalone M model since the legendary BMW M1 in the year it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
It would only be available in plug-in hybrid form and only as an M model.
The concept car provides a first glimpse of the new front-end design for BMW’s forthcoming luxury-class models. The slim daytime driving lights and the contour lighting of the kidney grille are the main focal points.
It will also introduce its audience a distinctive take on BMW X model design and an all-new form of luxury and sense of space for the interior.
The cabin will use exclusive materials and would have an M Lounge in the rear. The sculptural, illuminated headliner is a special highlight that gives the spacious rear compartment a sense of extravagance.
The visual highlight of the cabin is its headliner with a three-dimensional prism structure. A combination of indirect and direct lighting produces a relief-like structure which showcases the headliner as an exclusive work of art.
The ambient lighting can be activated in the three BMW M colours.
The newly developed M Hybrid drive system combines a V8 engine with a high-performance electric motor. It will generate a maximum output of 750hp and peak torque of 1,000Nm.
The drivetrain is expected to provide an all-electric range of up to 80km.
The dual-branch, twin-tailpipe exhaust system reduces backpressure for the V8 engine and also generates the emotionally rich M-typical soundtrack accompanying the engine’s power delivery.
At the rear, the BMW Concept XM cuts a low and sporty figure. The rear window is inserted almost seamlessly into the rear end.
The fresh interpretation of the design can also be seen in the arrangement of the BMW logo, which is laser-etched into the window below each of the two cant rails. This is a stylistic reference to the BMW M1.
The two-tone paint finish of the BMW Concept XM further accentuates its distinctive lines: the upper section is in matt gold-bronze, while the lower section sports the Space Grey metallic shade.
“The BMW Concept XM represents a complete re-imagining of the high-performance car segment,” said newly appointed M CEO Franciscus van Meel, who succeds Markus Flasch from this month.
“It underlines the ability of BMW M GmbH to break with established conventions and push boundaries in order to offer fans of the brand the ultimate driving experience.
"The series-production car – the first pure BMW M model since the legendary BMW M1 – also shows how we are approaching the step-by-step electrification of our brand.”
