BMW's M Division may want you to think the XM is their ultimate crossover. And in some way, it is. After all, it's a standalone model in the performance sub-brand's portfolio. However, a stock X6 M Competition costs less and is similarly fast.
The reason is simple: in its most agile form, which adds the Label suffix in North America, the electrified twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 develops a maximum of 738 horsepower (749 ps/551 kW) and 738 pound-foot (1,000 Nm) of torque. The spec sheet reveals that it needs 3.6 seconds to push to 60 mph or 97 kph.
The 4.4L V8 powering the X6 M Competition has no plug-in capabilities. Therefore, it produces 'only' 617 hp (626 ps/460 kW) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm). Nevertheless, since it is lighter, the acceleration takes 3.7 seconds. The equally powerful X5 M, which is its more practical sibling, is just as fast and starts at $122,300, $4,900 less than the X6 M.
As for the XM, it kicks off at $185,000 in the range-topping configuration and $159,000 when it comes to the standard variant. The latter has 644 hp (653 ps/480 kW) on tap and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm), and despite costing way more than the X5 M and X6 M, it is a lot slower. The 0-60 mph is 4.1 seconds, or four-tenths less than its more mainstream siblings. Thus, you know which one to opt for if performance is what draws you to such rides.
Photo: Instagram | ildar_project
Needless to say, BMW M still needs a more powerful version of the XM if it wants to put those pesky X5 M and X6 M in their corners, and it shouldn't be too hard to come up with such a model, as various tuners have already made it punchier. The German car manufacturer could always give it the CS suffix to highlight the extra oomph and sportier overall presence, and we think the XM family is in dire need of such a member.
Do you know who else believes so? That would be ildar_project, who recently took to social media to imagine what a hypothetical BMW XM CS would look like. The super crossover has a modified face with a larger apron, a bulging hood, beefier side skirts, more muscular wheel arch extensions, a larger wing, a sportier diffuser, and a few other modifications that separate it from its lesser siblings.
It has a green look with gold decals, bi-tone alloys of larger proportions, and a few other tweaks. And even if it wouldn't win any beauty contests, it would be a welcomed addition to the range. There would be one issue: the pricing, as it would easily exceed the $200,000 mark, and not many people would be willing to pay that much for it. Would you?
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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