BMW Concept XM previews 2022 production SUV that blends PHEV and M

December 1, 2021December 10, 2021 Toby Hagon 2651 Views bmw

BMW has used an electric motor to create its most powerful production car ever, the Concept XM plug-in hybrid EV – the first electrified vehicle from the brand’s M performance division.

As the name suggests, the BMW Concept XM is a one-off concept for now, but its design and technical details are very close to the production version that will be built from late 2022.

Sharing its underbody components with other large BMW SUVs – the X5, X6 and X7 – the Concept XM pairs a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 with an electric motor to make a combined 550kW and 1000Nm.

However, the Concept XM gets a unique body as BMW looks to separate the performance hero from the mainstream SUVs that account for a big chunk of sales.

It’s certainly a distinctive look, with an enormous interpretation of the BMW kidney grille that even shades that of the upcoming all-electric BMW iX.

Sharp angles and a sweeping window line down each side that tapers into a chunky tail. Quad exhaust pipes and thin LED lights dominate the tail, while enormous 23-inch wheels fill wheel arches wrapped in black cladding.

It is the first time BMW has created a bespoke body for its performance vehicles since the legendary M1 of the late 1970s, a car that was never sold in Australia (rival Mercedes-AMG has two cars that use an AMG-specific body, the GT and GT 4-door).

The BMW Concept XM is claimed to cover up to 80km on electricity alone with reports suggesting it gets a 25kWh battery pack.

Clearly when in EV mode it won’t make anything like the 550kW/1000Nm peaks, with those instead reserved for when the V8 engine joins in. There’s also an M mode and M Hybrid mode, the latter presumably prioritising performance when utilising electricity and petrol in tandem.

No details of performance figures for now, although BMW will clearly be keen to ensure the XM production car outpunches the iX M60 that will eventually top the all-electric iX range.

BMW describes the Concept XM as a “zero compromise BMW M” that will morph into a production car late next year and be built at the brand’s US production facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

“The BMW Concept XM represents a complete re-imagining of the high-performance car segment,” says Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M.

“It underlines the ability of BMW M GmbH to break with established conventions and push boundaries in order to offer fans of the brand the ultimate driving experience. The series-production car – the first pure BMW M model since the legendary BMW M1 – also shows how we are approaching the step-by-step electrification of our brand.”

The cabin of the Concept XM features a curved instrument cluster that blends into the main central infotainment screen.

“The design of the BMW Concept XM is an extravagant statement by BMW M in the heart of the luxury segment,” says Domagoj Dukec, Head of BMW Design. “It has a unique identity and embodies an expressive lifestyle like no other model in the BMW line-up.”

Below that is a trio of smaller screens to look after the ventilation systems.

Vintage-look brown leather dominates while copper-tinged carbon fibre adds a modern flavour.

BMW claims to have created an M Lounge in the rear, with dark tinted windows and a diamond-quilted dark velvet finish on the rear bench that is supposed to mimic a welcoming couch.

There’s also a roof lining with a three-dimensional prism and integrated ambient lighting to add to the bold interior ambience.

All of which has created one of the most radical BMWs ever. How much of the concept makes it to the showroom remains to be seen, but given the increasingly overt nature of the M brand it appears BMW is open to pushing design boundaries.