Last year, BMW unveiled a spectacular concept going by the name XM. Camouflaged prototypes are already in their testing phase, but until now, we had no images showing what the production model was going to look like.
We still don't have any official images to go on. However, on patent application documents from Japan, sketches showing a drawing of the SUV reveal an XM as it will be defined in a market-ready configuration.
What's special about this model is that it's the first developed entirely by BMW's M division since the legendary M1 of the 1970s. In other words, all the other M products we've seen since then have been inspired by regular versions offered by the brand. There will be no XM model other than the beast born within the performance branch.
The model is expected later this year as a 2023 vintage.
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What's interesting in looking at this patent sketch is that most of the elements of the concept seem to have been retained, such as the huge grille, the headlights composed of two sections and the stacked exhaust tips. A charging port is also visible on the front fender on the driver's side.
You guessed it, we get the best of both worlds with this performance monster. A twin-turbocharged 4.4L V8 engine will be bolted under the hood, but thanks to its electrical inputs, its power will consist of 750 hp and 737 ft-lb of torque. This will make it the most powerful BMW in history. It can also be driven in all-electric mode for short distances.
It remains to be seen what the range will look like. We can imagine other variants, less powerful and non-hybridized, that will serve as entry-level models.
The XM is a model strongly inspired by the X7, but it will only seat five. A version with two seats in the second row is also being considered.
Production of the XM will take place at BMW's Spartanburg, South Carolina plant. The model will certainly be offered at over $100,000, but we don't have any specific information about the Canadian model range and pricing yet.
We'll get back to you with more information about this XM.