2023 BMW XM plug-in hybrid performance details revealed
BMW’s first standalone production M model in 40 years is on track to be the German brand’s most powerful, with a twin-turbocharged V8 paired with a plug-in hybrid system.
The 2023 BMW XM super SUV will become BMW M’s most powerful model ever – once production begins towards the end of 2022, BMW has confirmed.
Revealed in concept form in December, the new plug-in hybrid XM will be the first standalone BMW M model since the M1 supercar of the late 1970s – and will be the most powerful model BMW has ever built, the car maker quietly confirmed in a 2021 sales results press release for its performance car division.
Under the bonnet will be a V8 engine of unspecified capacity and induction – believed to be BMW’s new-generation twin-turbo V8, codenamed S68 – paired with a “high-performance” electric motor for combined outputs of 550kW and 1000Nm.
Those outputs are identical to the Concept XM shown in late 2021, originating from the same plug-in hybrid V8 powertrain, known as ‘M Hybrid’ (not to be confused with Japanese brand Mazda’s M Hybrid mild-hybrid system) – proving just how close to production the 2021 show car was.
Acceleration and top speed figures are yet to be confirmed for the concept or production XM, though the smaller, lighter but less powerful and petrol-only X5 M Competition performance SUV (460kW/750Nm) can sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds, towards a top speed of 290km/h.
Also unclear are the details of the production XM’s plug-in hybrid electrical system, with battery size, electric motor output and electric driving range yet to be confirmed. However, the Concept XM quoted 80km of all-electric driving range, while the road car’s e-motor is rumoured to produce 150kW.
Production BMW XM prototypes have been spotted in Germany with “E” suffixes attached to their licence plates – only available for plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles offering more than 40km of electric driving range.
A version of the new XM’s powertrain is slated for use in the next-generation BMW M5 super sedan (rumoured for 2024), though UK publication Autocar claims power and torque will be increased to 790kW and in excess of 1000Nm, for a 0-100km/h sprint time likely to dip below the three-second mark.
Interestingly, BMW’s press release contradicts reports from reputable BMW insider (and BimmerPost forum user) ynguldyn, who indicates the sole variant available at the launch of the XM will develop 485kW, not 550kW. It’s possible the 550kW output could be achieved in an ‘overboost’ mode, with the 485kW available in normal driving, as per other BMW plug-in hybrid models.
The production BMW XM’s styling is also expected to draw heavily from the concept – as per past BMW show cars wearing ‘Concept’ branding, rather than ‘Vision’ – with a similar tapered roofline, strong rear wheel arches, split LED headlights, and a conspicuous pair of ‘kidney’ grilles up front.
Inside, save for the concept car-like elements – such as the colour-tinted roof, worn saddle brown leather front seats and velvet rear seats – the Concept XM’s interior should carry over to production, with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch central touchscreen.
Production of the 2023 BMW XM is slated to begin in November 2022. BMW Australia confirmed late last year that “if the production model is made available to us, we will definitely offer it to our customers” – so should it be green-lit for our market, expect to see it in local showrooms in early 2023.
“Our first standalone model since the legendary BMW M1 represents a complete re-imagining of the high-performance car segment,” said BMW M CEO, Frank van Meel.
“The BMW XM blends expressive design and progressive interior luxury with an incomparable driving experience that serves up both sublime performance and the ability to glide along in near silence in all-electric mode.”
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