BMW Concept XM Breaks Cover As A High-riding Plug-In-Hybrid SUV Behemoth

• V8 plug-in-hybrid powertrain makes 750PS and 1000Nm, the most powerful BMW M model.

• Can run up to 80km in full EV mode.

• Design highlights include sharp edges, sleek lightning, 23-inch alloy wheels, and triangular quad exhausts.

• Cabin comes with the latest iDrive 8 setup, premium materials, and features brown leather, copper and carbon fibre materials.

• India could get the production-spec XM by 2023.

When BMW debuted the M1 back in 1978, it was the first ever standalone ‘M’ badged model to come from the Bavarian carmaker. Fast forward to 2021, and we’ve been given a glimpse of the second standalone ‘M’ model in the form of the BMW Concept XM. But unlike the M1 which was a sleek sports car,  the Concept XM is a big and brawny SUV.

Part of the ‘brawn’ in the Concept XM lies under the hood. While BMW hasn’t revealed detailed specifications, the SUV will combine a juicy V8 and a plug-in-hybrid electric motor to put out a whopping 750PS and 1000Nm, making it BMW’s most powerful M model to date. The carmaker also claims it can go up to 80km in full EV mode. Considering its beefy initial specs, we can expect it to sprint to 100kmph from a standstill in under four seconds without breaking a sweat.

What really gives the Concept XM, the ‘brawny’ tag, is the way it looks. It rides high, and features sharp edges front and back to give it a menacing look. It also takes ‘big’ to a new level with the largest traditional kidney grille on a BMW dominating the front, which looks better integrated than the polarising ones on the M3, M4, and the iX. What’s cool about this grille is that the surrounds are illuminated which give a nice effect under the lights.

The ‘big’ factor doesn’t stop there, with 23-inch 14-spoke alloy wheels, the largest on a BMW model. Another notable bit in the Concept XM is the lighting setup, with sleek LED headlights, and an interesting LED taillight design that extends all the way up to the rear fenders. Expect the production-spec model to slightly tone things down, while still keeping the brawny identity.

While the exteriors were bold, the cabin looks a bit more civilised and pretty realistic enough to make it into the production-spec model largely unchanged, It's got a nice blend of brown leather, copper and carbon fibre materials, with the rear passengers being treated to a diamond-stitched velvet bench seat. What gets eyeballs on the cabin is the headliner, featuring a three-dimensional prism structure which is illuminated. The Concept XM will also have some nifty tech in its arsenal with BMW’s latest iDrive 8 curved digital driver display and touchscreen infotainment setup. 

The BMW Concept XM SUV will hit production as the XM, but you’ll have to wait until the end of 2022 to see it in its true form. In India, we’re yet to know whether the XM is under consideration for a launch in the country, but we think it should show up by 2023 at the earliest. Meanwhile, BMW is planning on launching three electric models in the country, starting with the iX electric SUV, slated for a December 13, 2021 launch.