2022 BMW Concept XM
BMW has unveiled what will become the most powerful M car ever to go into series production – the Concept XM. BMW M's first vehicle since the M1...
This is the BMW Concept XM – the basis for the brand's most powerful M car yet, the first standalone M car since the M1 in fact. It is set to debut in 2022 when BMW M celebrates its 50th anniversary. Unveiled at Art Basel’s 2021 Miami Beach show, the Concept XM is slated to enter production at the end of 2022, built at BMW's Spartanburg plant in the USA. Set to be available in plug-in hybrid form only – with a pure electric range of 50-miles, and exclusively as an M model, the vehicle previews a new front-end design for BMW’s forthcoming 'luxury-class' models. BMW describes this as 'bold'. A newly developed M Hybrid drive system features a V8 engine which combines with the electric motor to develop 750hp and peak torque of 737lb ft. BMW describes the rest of the exterior styling as 'extravagant'. It features a roof colour which contrasts with the black finish of the A-pillars, the sculpted bonnet extends the contours of the prominent kidney grille.
There's a two-tone paint finish, the upper section is matt gold-bronze, the lower Space Grey metallic, a high-gloss black line separates the two exterior hues. Flared wheel arches draw attention to 23-inch rolling stock. The rear aspect features a BMW logo which is laser-etched into the window – a stylistic reference to the M1. Slim, L-shaped rear lights extend across almost the entire width of the rear end. The rear apron saves space for hexagonal twin tailpipes.
Inside, the Concept XM features a brown, vintage-look, leather, combined with copper and carbon fibre said to create a link between luxury and motorsport. The new BMW Curved Display screen dominates the dashboard, it is based on the latest generation of iDrive and we can expect to see it rolled-out across forthcoming models. Red accents on the steering wheel and centre console are said to be M references. The rear of the cabin is termed the 'M Lounge'. The large rear bench has deep seat recesses designed to relax. An illuminated headlining uses indirect and direct lighting to produce a three-dimensional effect, called an 'exclusive work of art' by BMW.
«The BMW Concept XM represents a complete re-imagining of the high-performance car segment,” said 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 design of the BMW Concept XM is an extravagant statement by BMW M in the heart of the luxury segment,” added 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.” What do you think of the Concept XM? We'd love to hear from you.