While we were waiting for BMW to unveil its “an all-new high-powered, hybrid-electric, concept vehicle” on November 29, the official BMW M page on Facebook posted a shadowy teaser confirming the long-rumored XM name for the performance-focused SUV. The teaser is a sketch but it still reveals a massive and illuminated kidney grille sitting between two thin LED headlights – the main units could be hiding lower in the bumper. There are also additional roof-mounted LEDs which will be a first for BMW. Other than that, the bumper has a design reminiscent of other M models but comes with small intakes since the nostrils are probably more than enough for any kind of cooling.
In the description, BMW claims that this
concept is “the most expressive statement in almost 50 years of BMW M” and
calls it “a unique X for the M brand”. These statements make us believe that
the Concept XM is a preview for BMW M’s upcoming standalone model that has
already been confirmed by former CEO, Marcus Flasch. It will also be the
flagship SUV of BMW’s range.
Given that this will be a unique model for
BMW M, we all expected the main focus to be on performance, however, the teaser
suggests that it previews “the new front-end design of the BMW luxury class” hinting
at more massive grilles in the near future. Camouflaged prototypes of the BMW
Concept XM have been spied testing several times in the past revealing a
sculpted body that is as large as an X7 but comes with a significantly sportier
stance.
Besides mentioning the electrified
powertrain, BMW M didn’t reveal any performance figures but the Concept XM is
rumored to preview BMW’s most powerful production vehicle ever. The plug-in
hybrid powertrain is expected to combine a twin-turbo V8 engine and an electric
motor with a rumored output of more than 750 hp. We will learn more about the
BMW Concept XM in the coming days as we approach the debut that is scheduled
for November 29. As for the production vehicle it previews, this will likely
arrive by 2023 since the concept car will be almost production-ready.
