I’d like to believe the past few years have seen the boffins at BMW’s headquarters in Munich, Germany, take it upon themselves to do things differently. Probably, right from the way they make their coffee to the way they have it. Because it’s only twice in its history that BMW has had its motorsport division or BMW M break tradition and create an all-new model on its own. The first was the BMW M1, launched way back in 1978, and the second is the all-new BMW XM here. BMW’s M division is usually known for making go-faster BMWs, but the XM is the most special offering to wear the BMW roundel yet. Besides being only the second car ever to be developed by the M division, it is also the first plugin hybrid M car, the most powerful M car ever and no prizes for guessing, BMW’s new flagship SUV.
The XM also has names like the Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, Ferrari Purosangue and Aston Martin DBX 707 in its crosshairs. So clearly, all the fuss isn’t just about the XM being enormous in size, or well, its enormous grille. I mean, it would be criminal to not talk about the XM’s size and design first, no? I’m curious to know how many people outside of BMW’s design team were smiling when it broke cover because the grille is a little hard to unsee. BMW has made sure you don’t miss it even at night, because the grille incorporates lights that make the kidneys glow in the dark! I’m digging the split headlamp design though as the design is aggressive and purposeful and goes well with the mahoosive nostrils.
Can’t think of too many cars that come close to the XM in terms of shock value. Then there’s the SUV’s width of 2 metres and length of over 5 metres that make for unmistakeable road presence. The XM also looks very muscular from the sides, besides which the 22-inch alloy wheels scream ‘look at me’. You could also opt for bigger, 23-inch wheels. The rear end looks unlike any other BMW’s too, except for the sleek tail lamps. In fact, there isn’t much apart from the tail lamps at the rear, not even a BMW logo! That’s the XM has not one but two BMW roundels etched onto either end of the rear windscreen. The quad exhausts make sure you don’t mistake the XM for anything else with their design and overall the XM looks very, very distinctive.
Thankfully the interiors are not as controversial looking. Importantly, this is easily the most lavish and luxurious cabin in a BMW yet, as if designed by fashion/interior designers. It’s all swathed in expensive leather, Alcantara, brushed metal and carbon fibre. The leather is finished in mix of tan brown and turquoise and while there is no sunroof, you get a roofline that looks unique given the quilted design and the way the ambient lighting creates patterns on it. Air-conditioning vents get bespoke design elements and the dashboard has sharp cuts and also holds the large curved glass panel housing the dual screens. A lot of the dashboard, centre console and door panels are covered in carbon fibre and while a contrast from the rest of the cabin, it goes well with the ambience.
The drive selector lever is flanked by a set of ‘important’ switches on the right, I’ll get to those in a bit. Seats are uber-supportive and sporty while the steering wheel looks befitting of a track-worthy sportscar with its mix of switches, levers and paddles, especially the ‘M1’ and ‘M2’ finished in a contrasting shade of red. The 12.3-inch instrument cluster display is standard BMW affair but with new themes, while the 14.9-inch touchscreen is a breeze to use with its interface and touch sensitivity. There’s more to the cabin than just everything in front though, because the rear feels extremely luxurious, spacious and ultra-rich. I’ve no qualms in stating this is a driver’s car, but BMW certainly hasn’t sacrificed backseat comfort and luxury.
The XM intends to make a dent in the super luxury SUV segment and will ensure rear occupants are perfectly cosy. There’s an unmistakeable sense of luxury at the back given the legroom and kneeroom, turquoise-hued leather seats and of course, the roof. The equipment list is also in sync with the XM’s positioning, meaning you get heated, cooled and massaging seats, soft close doors, a powerful, 1,475W Bowers and Wilkins music system and more. There’s ADAS and six airbags but given that this is a hybrid, there is no spare wheel and you cannot even open the floorboard in the boot as it is sealed shut.
The XM’s biggest draw is its hybrid powertrain though. BMW’s famed 4.4-litre, twin turbocharged V8 petrol sits under the hood while the 8-speed automatic gearbox integrates the electric motor for the hybrid system. The V8 engine offers 490PS and 650Nm and the electric motor produces an additional 197PS and 280Nm. Combined outputs thus stand at a staggering 653PS and 800Nm! You’re talking sub-5 second 0-100kmph times in a 2.8 tonne SUV – get why we’re calling it a juggernaut on our cover? Get going and you’re sure to be taken aback by the acceleration, as the XM portrays a sportscar-like ferocity, despite its heft. That’s the power of a force-fed V8 petrol mated to an electric motor! Acceleration is relentless and the XM offers a strong thrust well into three digit speeds and when pushing hard, you won’t find too many cars on the road being able to keep up.
The performance just one side of the story though. Claimed fuel efficiency as per the WLTP cycle is an unreal 61.9kmpl, so given the tank capacity of 69 litres you’re talking a tank range of over 4,200km! As unbelievable as it sounds, this is made possible thanks to the 25.7kWh battery pack, which also allows you to drive in pure electric mode, putting that V8 to sleep. You can select whether you want to drive in hybrid mode or pure electric via the touchscreen and take off from standstill without firing the engine if you maintain a light foot. But press further and the V8 wakes up in a flash. You can also charge the battery using a 7.4kW charger, though obviously this isn’t an EV so you cannot use a fast charger. You can drive for up to 85km in EV mode, going up to 150kmph! ‘E-Control’ mode lets the V8 petrol takes on most of the load and preserves battery charge though and is the one where you can have fun.
There’s also a host of settings you can access via the switches next to the drive selector to customise a range of settings – for the energy recovery system, steering feedback, brakes, drivetrain and even the M xDrive which lets you choose from 4WD, 4WD Sport and 4WD Sand. 4WD Sport with ESC off is what you need, to have the XM kick its large tail out. It’s almost surprising how quickly the big SUV can go sideways when given the beans. Steering responses and overall feedback is excellent when sideways too and you’re never out of control to say so. So yes, a behemoth it may be, but the XM is ever so playful courtesy the electronics and powertrain! On the other hand there’s not much the SUV is able to do about its weight on the handling front. You can feel the heft around corners though there’s no denying this is a BMW and the XM lives up to that by holding a line and making sure you’re confident enough to go fast around bends. It stays flat thanks to its active anti-roll bars, rear wheel steering and also the active rear differential. Ride quality is pretty good, though the 22-inch wheels and low profile rubber mean you do feel the undulations and ruts, especially at slow speeds.
Super-SUV is not a term I would not have imagined myself getting used to, but super-SUVs are the quite the rage today. They’re big, definitely more practical than two-door sportscars or sports sedans but as quick and don’t mind the odd track day either. And that’s a pie BMW wants a share of with the XM. In the process, the XM is trying to do a lot of things – it wants to be seen, wants to go fast, wants to feel spacious and comfortable and wants to feel expensive. And expensive it is, priced at ₹ 2.6 crores ex-showroom. But if you’re the types who like to be seen and like getting attention for your choices, look no further.
