BMW Mzansi has launched the ultimate Bavarian SAV (SUV in BMW speak) that slots above the X7 and X6 for the exclusive Coupe SUV design that will have all of Mzansi talking.
The XM takes its design accents from the 4 door Coupe SUV design style with a BMW kidney grille with gold-coloured surrounds and continuous contour lighting, as well as large air intakes are the defining features of the front end. The lower air intake is aggressive with a pronounced black polished design. LED Headlights are standard in that split set up as seen on recent BMWs in the exclusive segment (7 Series and X7).
On to the side, an accent band in Gold is reminiscent of the black strip running along the body of the BMW M1. The XM has that slopping roofline as seen on Coupe models with 4 doors ensuring practicality. There is no option of a sun roof or even a Carbon Fibre roof. Fitted in a 21-inch format as standard with the option of further variants up to 23 inches in size, the M light-alloy wheels also boast a highly distinctive design.
On to the rear, the XM further nods to the past come in the form of the BMW logos engraved into the flat rear window and the eye-catching louvred structure of the sculptural rear lights. There are L shaped LED lights whilst the 4 exhaust are horizontally stacked for a unique design.
There are varying special colour options which BMW XM owners can choose from to tailor make the look of their XM.
The expressive style of the BMW XM’s exterior design continues inside the cabin. The cockpit and front seats are designed entirely around an active driving experience. Standard specification includes M multifunction seats, knee pads and a model-specific M leather steering wheel, along with M-specific graphics including shift lights for the BMW Curved Display and BMW Head-Up Display. The Live Cockpit Professional, which brings with it an M-specific version of the latest-generation multi-sensory vehicle experience BMW iDrive. Based on BMW Operating System 8, it comprises a BMW Curved Display formed by a 12.3-inch information display and a control display with a screen diagonal of 14.9 inches
A generous feeling of space, high-quality materials and extravagant design transform the rear of the BMW XM into an exclusive M Lounge. Heated backrests extending well into the sides of the rear compartment and specially designed cushions offer passengers luxurious levels of comfort. The sculptural headliner is quite unique with its three-dimensional prism structure, photo mount-style border and 100 LED units for illumination.
There is a choice of four different trims for customising the interior, as well as a new Vintage leather for the upper sections of the instrument panel and door panels. Ambient lighting, four-zone automatic climate control, the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System and the Travel & Comfort System are all standard features too, while the options list includes the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System with 1,500-watt amplifier and four additional speakers in the roof area.
The M HYBRID drive system in the BMW XM delivers an overall output of 480 kW (generated by the combination of the combustion engine with up to 360 kW and the electric drive system with up to 145 kW). It is underpinned by a newly developed, classically high-revving V8 engine with cutting-edge M TwinPower Turbo technology. The BMW XM sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds, accompanied by an energy-charged soundtrack of rare emotional appeal for an eight-cylinder unit. The 4.4-litre unit features a cross-bank exhaust manifold and an optimised oil separation process. The eight-cylinder engine is assisted in its task by an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission. The power generated by the drive duo is channelled to the road via the all-wheel-drive system M xDrive, whose rear-biased setup is particularly noticeable in 4WD Sport mode. Drivers can also select 4WD Sand mode, which has been conceived specifically for driving over dunes and similar surfaces. Operation of the M Sport differential in the rear axle is also fully variable.
Pricing for the BMW XM is R3,400,000.00. The global introductions of the new BMW XM will commence in the second quarter of 2023. Indicative pricing for these new vehicles in South Africa are inclusive of VAT, and excluding CO2 tax.