BMW XM Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

BMW introduced the XM in 2023 as a full-size luxurious, sporty SUV that was also the most powerful production model made by the German automaker.

While the Motorsport division was created in the '70s to create and develop sports cars, over time, that evolved into a department that improved standard BMW models. Besides the M models, the M-Performance packages were made available for the rest of the cars sold by the car manufacturer. But the XM was developed from the ground up to become a serious contender in the performance-SUV category.

With an exterior design that resembled the iX lineup, the XM's look was different. At the front, the grille wasn't tall and narrow but wide and shorter. In addition, the angular shapes of the vehicles replaced the fluid lines of other M models. Even the lower grille sported straight lines instead of curved ones. From its profile, the SUV's massive size was emphasized by the large 21" wheels and the angular shapes of the wheel arches. Furthermore, a chromed trim surrounded the windows' area. An unusual detail was noticed at the back of the car, where the automaker installed the four hexagonal exhausts stacked two-by-two on each side of the vehicle.

The car's interior was luxurious, with a sporty touch for the front bucket seats. On the dashboard, BMW installed a wide, curved glass panel that covered the dials in front of the driver and the iDrive infotainment's screen placed atop the center stack. The angular shapes of the exterior were also seen inside, especially on the vents and the headliner.

A twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 powered the 2.7-ton vehicle. The ICE was also helped by a 197 hp motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. As expected, the massive combined torque of 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) was sent into all corners. A 29.5 kWh battery pack helped the big SUV travel up to 82 km (51 miles) with zero tailpipe emissions.