BMW recently revealed the Concept XM SUV as their first standalone M model since the M1, and the reception has been polarizing to say the least. Regardless, the many prototypes of the vehicle we’ve been seeing keep inching closer to production-readiness with each outing, and the latest one captured by spy photographers looks to be closest one yet. By the looks of it, the production version seems to be a bit more palatable than the concept, with more realistic proportions and fewer overly aggressive creases, though that isn’t really saying much.
This prototype drops a bit more of the
body cladding from previous ones, and we can now see more of the design’s key
lines, such as the ones defining the sloping shoulder line, muscular rear fenders,
and sportier rocker panels. For better or worse, though, the SUV appears to
retain almost all of the concept’s controversial features, including the gaping
grille, squinting quad headlights, wraparound taillights, and double-stacked
hexagonal exhaust tips. This should certainly help it to stand out from the
pack upon its eventual release, but we wonder at what cost.
There aren’t any shots of the interior,
but the concept’s cabin looked surprisingly production-ready, more so than
almost anything else on the entire vehicle, so it’s likely safe to expect
something very similar. The main feature is an extra-wide screen combining the
gauge cluster and infotainment system similar to the one found in the iX SUV,
which will be running BMW’s latest version of iDrive. Other highlights include
the central grab handle, vertically-mounted hexagonal climate vents, and unique
aluminum trim.
Thankfully, if there’s anything that can
be this car’s saving grace, it’s the powertrain. According to BMW’s specs, the
concept XM uses a twin-turbocharged V8 paired with a plug-in hybrid system that
produces 750 hp and 999 Nm of torque. If the SUV
uses the same layout, it would make it the most powerful production M car to
date, but it likely won’t come cheap, as pricing is speculated to start at
around US$ 150,000 when it eventually gets released.
