BMW announced that Franciscus van Meel, chairman of the board of BMW M GmbH, and Marcus Syring, head of BMW M Design, will present “an all-new high-powered, hybrid-electric, concept vehicle”. The German automaker didn’t confirm any details about it, but according to BMWblog, it will be a concept previewing the long-awaited X8 M that will allegedly be named the XM and be positioned at the top of BMW’s SUV range.
The concept will be showcased during an
immersive brand experience to be held in Los Angeles on November 16 and 17 but
information about it will remain under embargo until Monday, November 29 at
8:00 p.m. EST.
The XM is tipped to be BMW’s most powerful
production vehicle ever and will feature a twin-turbocharged V8 engine working
alongside an electric motor. Rumors suggest the SUV could pump out upwards of
750 hp. This powertrain could be considered as BMW’s answer to the hybrid
system of the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 E Performance with its 831 hp and 1,400 Nm. It is also possible the next-generation M5 will feature the XM’s
hybrid system.
A number of heavily-camouflaged XM
prototypes have been spied testing in recent months and it doesn’t appear as
though the automaker will rein in its current design language. In fact, spy
shots indicate the XM will feature striking split headlights, big kidney
grilles, flared wheel arches, and large taillights with LED signatures.
