The BMW XM has been filmed putting its hybrid power to the test at the fearsome Nurburgring. And if you were a little concerned about what the drivetrain would sound like, the news is good. In the video, the car can be seen driving slowly on the streets around the track, and the newly-developed, electrically-assisted V8 powertrain sounds pretty darn good. The standard XM will get 644 hp of power and 800 Nm of torque and 50 miles (80 km) of electric range, while a higher-performance model will get up to 738 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque.
It’s unclear exactly which model has been
seen testing here but the non-carbon-fiber roof may suggest that this is a
lower-trim model. The more powerful 738 hp models are expected to feature a
carbon-fiber roof for a lower center of gravity, though this sounds a bit
ironic, given the size and weight of BMW M’s upcoming model.
Previously seen at an airport with even
less camouflage, the design of the production model is likely to hove pretty
closely to that of the XM Concept. That means that the automaker is sticking
with the huge grille, the angular design, and the small headlights. Even the
BMW M1-aping roundels could be seen on the spied vehicle.
Production of the vehicle is expected to
begin this December in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
