When Chris Bangle designed his first BMWs, the whole world was in a state of shock. Cities were set on fire, automotive journalists jumped out of the window and, according to some, zebras started eating lions.
Disrupted food chain. But every medal has two sides as long as you pertinently refuse to accept the side. Because there were also a lot of people who went to put out the fires, and there were also a lot of car journalists who climbed in through windows. However, we did not hear about lions eating zebras during that period. You can say a lot about Bangle’s designs, but many today believe they are timeless, and for some they are of the best BMW has ever introduced.
Strong. It has been for a while that BMW’s design has been back in the spotlight, especially for the grille of the BMW M3 and M4, as well as the 4-series, i4 and iX. And with this new XM, that storm may not settle down any time soon. This new BMW XM is the first M model with an electrified powertrain, and at the same time it is the most powerful production M car BMW ever made. Heck, it’s the most powerful series BMW ever built, period! For that, it uses a 4.4-litre V8 with an electric motor. But as is so often the case with luxury models, the tension gets raised.
Vertically positioned. Because first there is this combo of M TwinPower Turbo V8 petrol engine with electric motor that produce a combined system output of 480 kW (653 hp). The maximum power of the V8 petrol engine is 360 kW (489 hp) and that of the electric motor is 145 kW (197 hp). The BMW XM sprints from standstill to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. This is accompanied by the very powerful, distinctive 8-cylinder soundtrack from the sports exhaust system. That features electronically controlled continuously variable valves and twin hexagonal exhaust tailpipes. For the first time for a BMW M model, the exhaust tailpipes are placed on top of each other.
Waiting for flat. For those who really have to get used to the design, there is this option: wait until autumn 2023. Because that’s when the BMW XM Label Red will be added to the range. The most powerful production road car in BMW M GmbH’s history will have an output of 550 kW (748 hp) and a maximum system torque of 1,000 Nm. This model was launched to celebrate 50 years of M. And while you guys fight it out whether you think this one is beautiful or ugly, we are going to secretly keep hoping for that M sports car, preferably just flat again.