BMW XM super SUV likely revealed in patent drawings Leave a comment
BMW M is developing its first standalone model since the iconic M1 supercar launched four decades ago.
This time around we’re looking at an SUV, a model to be called the XM, and previewed last year by the striking Concept XM. We’ve also spotted camouflaged prototypes testing in the wild.
Now we likely have our first clear look at the design of the production XM which is due out later this year, likely as a 2023 model.
BMW Concept XM
A member of iX Forums posted images alleged to be patent drawings for the XM filed with Japan’s intellectual property office in August. They show a design clearly influenced by the Concept XM, but more importantly they match up with a leaked photo of the production XM that surfaced in May.
Fans of concept car styling will be pleased that most of the Concept XM’s details are present. The huge kidney grilles, split headlights, and stacked tailpipes are all there. We also see a cover for a charging point on the driver’s side front fender.
We know the powertrain will be a plug-in hybrid setup utilizing a newly developed twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 as the internal-combustion component. Combined output will be in the vicinity of 750 hp and 737 lb-ft of torque, which will make the XM the most powerful BMW road car to date. If the engineers go with BMW’s existing plug-in hybrid design, a single electric motor will be sandwiched between the V-8 and transmission.
2023 BMW XM spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
2023 BMW XM spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
2023 BMW XM spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
Though it’s yet to be confirmed, a tamer version of the plug-in hybrid setup could be offered in a base XM, with the 750-hp version reserved for something like an XM Competition model.
The XM is closely related to BMW’s X7 SUV, though it will stick to two-row seating, possibly with the option of having two individual bucket seats in the second row.
Production of the XM will take place at BMW Group’s plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and the starting pricing is expected to exceed $100,000. Stay tuned.
