Written by Marco Carvajal
BMW XM
The first ever XM is the most powerful BMW with an electrified drive.
The name XM may sound simple, but when you say BMW XM you are telling big words, this is the top of the top of the line for BMW automobiles made for the first as the 2023 car year model.
Bayerische Motoren Werke, also known as BMW created the XM as part of its celebration events for its 50th anniversary. Pricing for the fantastic XM starts at $159K.
The first-ever and new BMW XM is a very large luxury high-performance Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) with the extreme power of 738 Horsepower.
The unique XM gives you the best of 3 worlds with a gasoline-hybrid-electric engine, you can charge it with electricity with its plug-in charger just like any other electric car, or you can fill up its fuel tank with gasoline.
The revolutionary XM has a very advanced plug-in hybrid system comprising a V8 gasoline engine and an exceptionally powerful electric motor engine. This is the first ever high-performance BMW with an electrified drive system.
The XM is BMW’s ultimate expression of performance and luxury created in the shape of a Sports Activity Vehicle similar to a full size SUV but with much more power.
The powerful and full-size BMW XM has very efficient fuel consumption and very low CO2 emissions combined.
The XM enjoys the newly developed advanced M HYBRID drive system, a strong masculine design, and a very trendy and modern luxury ambiance inside creating a powerful, luxury, and premium Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) concept for the high-performance segment.
The XM is opening up BMW’s advanced M power to a new segment of car drivers who want the best and the most expensive full-size SUV.
Production of the BMW XM started last year at the BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the USA and is available now in 2023 at dealers worldwide.
The target main sales markets for the new BMW XM are the United States, China, and the Middle East.
XM is the BMW 50th Anniversary Celebration Model
The highlight of the XM marketing strategy in its anniversary year, the BMW XM is also the first BMW M original since the BMW M1.
If you think about expensive and luxury cars, you may be wondering, what is the most expensive BMW model made? The most expensive BMW model made in 2023 is the brand-new 2023 BMW XM that I am test driving, starting at around $159,000.
XM Competitors
BMW is perceived as a premium, elegant, sporty, stylish, and young-looking car. BMWs have always been a car that is recognized for quality and premium style.
Both BMW and Mercedes Benz are known as luxury German automakers. However, Porsche, Audi, and even Volkswagen have models that also compete with the two German car manufacturers.
Compare to its German competitor Mercedes Benz, the BMW tends to look more sporty for a younger audience, while Mercedes Benz in general tends to be more elegant and classy for a more mature audience.
In my personal experience, one of the factors I like about BMW is that maintenance and repairs seem to be less expensive and easier to do as opposed to some of its competitors which tend to be more sophisticated and expensive in repairs and maintenance. Therefore if you are more conscious about long-term savings and budget, BMW seems to be a better choice.
In the past, BMW and some of its German competitors were the ones dominating the luxury car segment, but nowadays different brands are important players in this luxury segment including European, American, Korean, and Japanese automakers Like Lexus, Genesis, Volvo, and other automakers.
Some of the top competitors for BMW XM are the Lexus LX, Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63 S, Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, Lamborghini Urus, Range Rover SVR, Bentley Bentayga, and other full-size luxury SUVs.
XM Elegant and Attractive Design
The 2023 BMW XM is an extraordinary car with a very clean and formal design. It has an SUV shape with powerful contours, a dynamically stretched silhouette, BMW M-typical design cues, a reworked interpretation of the front-end look created for BMW’s luxury-segment models, and a host of distinctive accents that give the XM a singularly extrovert aura.
The XM headlights split into two separate units that look like two strong alien eyes, a BMW kidney grille with gold-colored surrounds and continuous contour lighting, as well as large air intakes that create an aggressive and luxurious look on the front end of the XM.
The good-looking BMW logos are engraved into the flat rear window and the eye-catching louvered structure of the sculptural rear lights. An attractive 21-inch format as standard, or the optional up to 23 inches in size, M light-alloy wheels gives a highly distinctive design to the XM exterior.
The cockpit and front seats are designed entirely around a satisfying driving experience for easy control of everything.
Standard features of the new BMW XM include M multifunction seats, knee pads, and a model-specific M leather steering wheel, along with M-specific graphics including shift lights for the BMW Curved Display and BMW Head-Up Display.
The XM has a large and generous interior space with high-quality materials, and extravagant design transforms the rear of the BMW XM into an exclusive M Lounge. Heated backrests extending well into the sides of the rear compartment and specially designed cushions offer passengers luxurious levels of comfort.
This fantastic headliner is unique with its three-dimensional prism structure, photo mount-style border, and 100 LED units for illumination. There is a choice of four different trims for customizing the interior, as well as a new Vintage leather for the upper sections of the instrument panel and door panels.
The first ever BMW XM comes dressed with unique features and details that make it not only powerful and aggressive but also extravagant and luxurious.
Ambient lighting, four-zone automatic climate control, the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System, and the Travel & Comfort System are all standard luxury features on this new car. Optional features include the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System with a 1,500-watt amplifier and four additional speakers in the roof area.
High Performance With Extreme Horsepower
The design and physical features of the XM go hand to hand with its strong engine and smart system.
The smart and fuel-efficient M HYBRID drive system in the BMW XM delivers an overall output of 480 kW/653 hp (generated by the combination of the combustion engine with up to 360 kW/489 hp and the electric drive system with up to 145 kW/197 hp).
The new XM is made with a newly developed, classically high-revving V8 engine with cutting-edge M TwinPower Turbo technology.
XM Performance Features:
- 4.4-liter engine features a cross-bank exhaust manifold and an optimized oil separation process.
- BMW M TwinPower Turbo V-8 paired with plug-in hybrid technology
- M xDrive all-wheel-drive system
- 738 Horsepower
- 46 MPGe
- 4.1 sec 0-60 MPH
- 22″ M Light Alloy Double-spoke Bi-color Wheels, Style 922M with Mixed High-Performance Non-Run-flat Tires
The powerful eight-cylinder engine is assisted in its task by an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission. This engine’s propulsive power is instantly on tap when pulling away, delivering a very good response to every movement when touching the accelerator.
The M HYBRID drive system produces maximum overall torque of 800 Nm/590 lb-ft (engine with up to 650 Nm [479 lb-ft] combined with an electric motor developing up to 280 Nm [206 lb-ft]). A pre-gearing stage increases the electric motor’s effective maximum torque to 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) at the transmission input.
The intelligently controlled interplay between engine and motor results in a well-resolved performance experience worthy of the M badge in all driving situations.
The XM produces an immense build-up of power that begins instantaneously and is sustained throughout the rev range.
The BMW XM sprints from 0 to 62 mph in 4.3 seconds approximately, it is very fast.
The XM sports exhaust system features electronically controlled, continuously adjustable flaps and hexagonal dual tailpipes arranged one right above the other, for the first time on a BMW M model.
The M Hybrid button on the center console is used to manage one of three operating modes, including an ELECTRIC setting for cruising with zero local emissions at speeds of up to 140 km/h (87 mph) and over a maximum distance of 51 – 55 miles in the WLTP cycle. This is thanks to the lithium-ion high-voltage battery mounted in the car’s underbody and the 25.7 kWh of usable energy it provides. The Combined Charging Unit in the BMW XM enables AC charging at up to 7.4 kW.
The BMW Iconic Sounds Electric developed in a collaboration between the BMW Group and film score composer Hans Zimmer also creates a suitable backing track for the electric motor’s power delivery.
The M-specific electric drive sound gives off authentic feedback to every movement of the accelerator pedal when driving in the locally emission-free operating mode. And if the Sport or Sport Plus setting is selected while the drive system is operating in HYBRID mode, a boosted sound will underline the electrical assistance being provided to the combustion engine.
The strong power generated by the driving duo is channeled to the road via the all-wheel-drive system M xDrive, whose rear-biased setup is particularly noticeable in 4WD Sport mode. Drivers can select other modes like 4WD Sand mode, which has been conceived specifically for driving over dunes and similar surfaces. Operation of the M Sport differential in the rear axle is also fully variable to be able to drive on any road and in any condition, this car is ready to drive on the surface of the moon.
Trim and Pricing
At the moment the 2023 BMW XM SUV is a limited edition car, made in one trim level only. It is available in a few different color options such as Carbon Black, Black Sapphire Metallic, Mineral White, Marina Bay Blue, Dravit Grey, Toronto Red Metallic, and Cape York Green Metallic.
There is a variety of ways to customize the interior, as well as a new Vintage leather for the upper sections of the instrument panel and door panels.
This futuristic car, the 2023 BMW XM, has a starting price of $159,000, and if specific features and colors are chosen, it can reach as much as $166,000.
2023 BMW XM Highlights
- 4.4-liter engine
- BMW M TwinPower Turbo V-8 paired with plug-in hybrid technology
- M xDrive all-wheel-drive system
- Total horsepower of 738
- Reaches 60 mph in 4.1 seconds
- 46 MPGe
- Starting price of $159,000
- Consists of a high-revving V8 engine
- 7 different colors
- Quick response to accelerator
- High-quality materials
- M Sport Differential
- Adaptive LED and ambient lights
- Heated and massaging front seats
- 8-speed M Steptronic transmission
- Apple car play and Android compatibility
- 22″ M Light Alloy Double-spoke Bi-color Wheels, Style 922M with Mixed High-Performance Non-Run-flat Tires.
The new XM is an excellent choice if you want a luxurious car with advanced features and you can afford to pay more than $159K for your new toy.
Having the highest performance of all BMWs made,
Its attractive interior and exterior design add to the car in so many ways and are very attractive. The beauty of the XM is complemented by its magnificent features and extremely high performance.
The new XM has a very advanced plug-in hybrid system comprising a V8 gasoline engine and an exceptionally powerful electric motor engine and more power than you will ever need to go into any off-road or just in case you decide to drive on the surface of the moon.
