One controversial design after another – which seems to be the modus operandi of the BMW HQ. However, the sales figures tell a different story because 2021 was an all-time record for the company. Following the radical Facelift X7 unveiled yesterday, we are now looking at another SUV with split headlights. Yes, the XM is caught near Nürburgring where it is getting the final touches.
While this is completely disguised, we get the idea that it won’t go too far from last year’s Concept XM. The camouflage does a good job of hiding the extra angular styling, but little detail is known, such as the contour of the hood above the kidneys. We can say the same about the slope roof line and the exhaust tips piled up at each corner of the bumper.
From the size of the greenhouse to the huge kidney, the prototype is a spit image of the concept before him. There are some changes you might expect in the production process, such as conventional door handles and large taillights. With the X7 LCI getting 23-inch wheels, the XM will probably also offer this size to mirror the concept.
The plastered “Hybrid Test Vehicle” sticker on the front door and rear bumper indicates the electrified nature of the prototype. Much like the X7 M60i, the roadside XM will get the S68 engine, but with a big difference. The flagship X7 has a light-hybrid setup where the dedicated M model will be a plug-in hybrid.
XM will be a silent M car
Adopting a PHEV setup will result in two main differences: electrical range and more power. In the Concept XM, the unspecified battery enables 30 kilometers per EPA or 80 kilometers per WLTP cycle. As far as total output is concerned, the M60i is rated at 523 hp, the ALPINA XB7 was unveiled today with 621 hp packing. Considering the Ultra-AG Shocker had a huge 750 hp, the XM would be much more powerful.
The torque will increase significantly from the XB7’s 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) to a mountain-running 1,000 Nm (738 lb-ft). Note that the exact power figures for the 2023 XM have not been released, but they are probably as sharp as the concept.
BMW will launch the XM later this year, with production starting in Spartanburg before the end of 2022.
Source: Willcoblock / Instagram