The controversial large kidney was even illuminated in the XM.
Miami Beach BMW is continuing its offensive in the luxury class. After the giant SUV X7 launched in 2019, the coupe is now following. At Art Basel Miami Beach, BMW unveiled the new Concept XM study, which also offers an outlook on a future sports SUV model with electric drive and the new design of its future model range.
The large kidney and angular design, which was already indicated in the new i4 and iX electric cars, are striking.
It is no coincidence that the five-meter-long and progressively designed off-road vehicle bears the abbreviation XM. The car comes from the sub-brand “M”, which actually refines production models with sports packages. It is the first completely independent M model since the legendary M1 sports car from 1978 and is solely the responsibility of the motorsport department. She is celebrating her 50th birthday this year. Instead of bucket seats and harness straps, however, there is excessive luxury in the XM.
Special features are a large radiator grille surrounded by LED light and, in contrast, very narrow headlight units. The over five meter long SUV concept is characterized by sharp-edged character lines and very narrow rear lights.
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BMW hesitated for a long time to enter the giant SUV market. Because the big cars do not actually fit in with the Group’s declared goal of becoming one of the leading car manufacturers in terms of sustainability.
Great success with large SUVs
But the pressure from the company’s own sales department is great: In fact, the X7 built in the US plant in Spartenburg is a great sales success and ensures very high margins in Munich. The sports coupé derived from it should actually be called the X8.
But the aggressive design was still too risky for BMW for the serious main brand. So the tuning daughter “M” got the train. The BMW designers accept the polarizing optics in order to set themselves apart from the market. The main market is the USA, where the XM is also to be built. There BMW competes against the similarly brawny Cybertruck from Tesla, but also against the Urus from Lamborghini.
The market for large electric cars in the USA is likely to grow strongly in the coming years: In addition to the electric Hummer from GM, the electric F-150 Lightning from Ford will also be launched, as will new challengers such as Rivian.
Like the Tesla Cybertruck, BMW relies on an extravagant, futuristic look.
The XM should achieve a range of up to 80 kilometers.
The concept vehicle is also a concrete outlook on a series model announced for the end of 2022, which BMW wants to offer as a plug-in hybrid. In the case of the Concept XM, BMW speaks of a V8 petrol engine in combination with an electric motor. The double heart should deliver 550 kW / 750 PS and 1,000 Newton meters of torque.
The electric range of the BMW XM is specified as up to 80 kilometers. The XM will thus be BMW’s first M model with an electrified drive train. The Munich-based company has not yet revealed the exact dates and mileage
The Concept XM also sets unusual accents in the interior: brown leather with a vintage look, copper and carbon build a bridge between luxury and motorsport. A sculpturally shaped headliner illuminated with 3D prisms ensures extravagance in the rear. And on the back seat, BMW relies on turquoise plush. It is a calculated provocation to attract attention in the new upper class.
More: Toyota’s first electric attempt – the Lexus UX300e in the Handelsblatt car test