Photo: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
BMW’s bet on expanding their crossover/SUV family has paid off, and contrary to what some may think, they’re not done with launching more models. As a matter of fact, the most powerful BMW M car to ever hit production is in development, and it will be known as the XM.
Following in the footsteps of the iconic M1 as the second standalone BMW M vehicle, it was previewed by the Concept XM late last year. It has already made headlines with the numerous scoops and renderings, and has just returned to the limelight in a few more spy shots.
Spotted by our man with the cam at the Nurburgring, this prototype wore less camouflage, revealing more of that controversial styling, and big grille. It has a split-light signature up front, edgy bumper design, though that could be due to the fake cladding, sloping roofline, and not-so-attractive back end, with slim taillights, aggressive bumper, and stacked exhaust pipes.
The mandatory ‘Hybrid Test Vehicle’ and yellow stickers tell us that we are looking at an electrified vehicle. The pre-production model will use the brand’s twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine, which will be assisted by an electric motor, in turn, powered by a small battery pack. The rumored 750 horsepower and 738 pound-feet (1,000 Nm) of torque available via the right pedal will make it the M Division’s most powerful vehicle ever.
In all likelihood, the XM will premiere this year, in time to add itself to the celebration of BMW M’s 50th anniversary. The official unveiling date is unknown, yet it is probably a few months away from showing its uncamouflaged design in an official environment. Production will take place at the Spartanburg factory, in South Carolina, and from there it, will be exported to global markets. By the time it arrives in the United States, it should be marketed as a 2023 model.
Spotted by our man with the cam at the Nurburgring, this prototype wore less camouflage, revealing more of that controversial styling, and big grille. It has a split-light signature up front, edgy bumper design, though that could be due to the fake cladding, sloping roofline, and not-so-attractive back end, with slim taillights, aggressive bumper, and stacked exhaust pipes.
The mandatory ‘Hybrid Test Vehicle’ and yellow stickers tell us that we are looking at an electrified vehicle. The pre-production model will use the brand’s twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine, which will be assisted by an electric motor, in turn, powered by a small battery pack. The rumored 750 horsepower and 738 pound-feet (1,000 Nm) of torque available via the right pedal will make it the M Division’s most powerful vehicle ever.
In all likelihood, the XM will premiere this year, in time to add itself to the celebration of BMW M’s 50th anniversary. The official unveiling date is unknown, yet it is probably a few months away from showing its uncamouflaged design in an official environment. Production will take place at the Spartanburg factory, in South Carolina, and from there it, will be exported to global markets. By the time it arrives in the United States, it should be marketed as a 2023 model.
Google News