BMW will introduce an “all-new high-powered, hybrid-electric concept” on November 29th and the company has all but confirmed it will be the X8 / XM. While the automaker is keeping details under wraps, a prototype was recently spotted undergoing testing and it gives us a better look at the range-topping crossover. Still sporting plenty of camouflage, the X8 / XM features a prominent grille which is flanked by split lighting units. Elsewhere, we can see vertical air curtains, a wide central intake, and a bulging hood that echoes the one found on the M3 and M4.
Continuing down the sides, there’s a front
fender charging port and massive wheels that are backed up by a
high-performance braking system with red calipers. The crossover also sports a
sloping roof, an angular shoulder line, and muscular rear haunches that recall
the Lamborghini Urus. It’s also worth noting the model bucks BMW’s recent love
affair with flush-mounted door handles.
Out back, the crossover features a
pronounced rear bumper with a stacked four-tailpipe exhaust system. We can also
see a relatively tiny rear spoiler and wraparound taillights. Performance
specifications remain unconfirmed, but rumors have suggested the model will be
offered with three different powertrains including two plug-in hybrid variants.
One of them could have a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, an electric motor
and a roughly 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. In the X5 xDrive45e, this allows
for a combined output of 389 hp and 600 Nm of
torque.
However, the big news is the range-topping
variant which is slated to have a twin-turbo V8 engine and a plug-in hybrid
system. Rumors have suggested this could allow for an output of up to 750 hp, but we’ll likely find out more later this month.
