BMW XM Concept: an oversized plug-in hybrid SUV

Its grilles, its size, its power… everything is disproportionate on the SUV concept that BMW presented at the international contemporary art fair “Art Basel Miami Beach”.

Published on 08/12/2021 à 17:55

⁰ View comments)

BMW XM Concept: an oversized plug-in hybrid SUV

©BMW

Dans l’histoire de BMW, la M1 de 1978 garde une place à part. Seul modèle mis au point intégralement par le département Motorsport de la marque, cette très jolie voiture de sport rivalisait alors avec les Porsche 911 egg Ferrari 308. We had to wait more than 40 years to discover a second 100% BMW M model and the least we can say is that it no longer has anything to do with it.

This large, ultra-sporty SUV, whose name is oddly reminiscent of a Citroën sedan from the late 1980s, displays a caricature-sized grille and sharp-edged features. Under this silhouette which causes a lot of talk and annoys purists, we find a plug-in hybrid V8 with 750 hp and 1000 Nm of torque. While BMW now has a sedan and two 100% electric SUVs in its range, the Motorsport department prefers to keep a thermal engine in the equation.

For now, the XM is a show car. Its production version will arrive next year, celebrating 50 years of existence of BMW's Motorsport department. The XM will tackle the most efficient SUVs on the planet, with Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid and other Lamborghini Urus in the lead. In this category, the piston engine seems to have a bright future ahead of it even if electrification will soon affect all models.