Munich. At Art Basel’s 2021 Miami Beach show, BMW M
GmbH is presenting an expressive new vehicle concept on the global
stage for the first time. The BMW Concept XM looks ahead to the most
powerful BMW M car ever to go into series production, which is set to
begin at the end of next year. At the same time, the BMW Concept XM
shines the spotlight on standout aspects of the M brand.
Electrification underpins an extraordinary driving experience which
allows the driver to both glide along in near silence and enjoy the
time-honoured pleasure of high performance, M-style. The BMW Concept
XM provides a first glimpse of the new front-end design for BMW’s
forthcoming luxury-class models. It will also introduce its audience
to a highly progressive and distinctive take on BMW X model design and
an all-new form of luxury and sense of space for the interior.
The series-production model – the BMW XM – will be built from the end
of 2022 at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the USA, the most important
sales market for the new high-performance car. BMW M will therefore be
introducing its first standalone vehicle since the legendary BMW M1 in
the year it celebrates its 50th anniversary. The BMW XM
will be available in plug-in hybrid form only and exclusively as an M model.
The bold exterior styling of the Concept XM reflects the car’s
exceptional performance attributes: dynamism, agility and precision,
plus an all-electric range of up to 80 km. The newly developed M
Hybrid drive system in the BMW Concept XM brings together a V8 engine
and a high-performance electric motor to develop maximum output of 550
kW/750 hp and peak torque of 1,000 Nm (737 lb-ft). The first
electrified vehicle from BMW M GmbH in the high-performance segment is
therefore pointing the way for the future of the brand.
“The BMW Concept XM represents a complete re-imagining of the
high-performance car segment,” says Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M
GmbH. “It underlines the ability of BMW M GmbH to break with
established conventions and push boundaries in order to offer fans of
the brand the ultimate driving experience. The series-production car –
the first pure BMW M model since the legendary BMW M1 – also shows how
we are approaching the step-by-step electrification of our brand.”
BMW M goes its own way in the luxury
segment.
The BMW Concept XM sees BMW M GmbH forging a
distinctive path in the luxury segment. The car’s exterior majors on
presence and extrovert appeal. Inside the car, a special take on the
driver-focused cockpit for which M models are renowned meets an
all-new rear compartment design: with its high-comfort seats and
illuminated, sculptural headliner, the M Lounge offers passengers a
luxurious retreat.
“The design of the BMW Concept XM is an extravagant statement by BMW
M in the heart of the luxury segment,” says Domagoj Dukec, Head of BMW
Design. “It has a unique identity and embodies an expressive lifestyle
like no other model in the BMW line-up.”
The front end: progressive design for maximum presence.
The BMW Concept XM debuts the new, progressive
front-end design for BMW’s luxury-class models, a version of which
will be seen for the first time in 2022 as part of the BMW model
offensive in the luxury segment. The headlights have been split into
two separate modules, a new design feature which creates a visually
arresting appearance. The daytime driving light signature in the
sharply styled, slim upper module is particularly eye-catching. The
horizontal kidney grille sits boldly between the headlights and tapers
towards the outer edges, producing a near-octagonal outline that
emphasises the front end’s dynamic character. The black kidney grille
elements are enclosed within an intricate surround and appear almost
to be floating freely within a High-gloss Black surface. M-style
double bars within the grille add to the perception of width.
Eye-catching contour lighting sets off the grille to fine effect,
ensuring the striking composition of kidneys and daytime driving
lights is immediately recognisable in the dark as well. The new XM
logo in the kidney grille and the large air intakes hint at the power
of the V8 engine, which teams up with the electric motor to form the M
Hybrid system.
M-specific details point to compromise-free
performance.
The glasshouse of the BMW Concept XM rises
up vertically, accentuating the front end’s strong, imposing feel. The
colour of the roof contrasts with the black finish of the A-pillars.
The windscreen seems to have an even heavier rake as a result,
injecting modern dynamism into the front end. Slim LED searchlights
have been incorporated into the roof above the A-pillars. The boldly
sculpted bonnet extends the contours of the kidney grille back in the
form of two power domes. A pair of air intakes in the bonnet mimic the
appearance of the LED searchlights in the roof and add extra dynamic
flair. Framing the statuesque body at its lower edge are the clean-cut
black surfaces of the front apron. Triangular body-coloured blades at
the outer edges accentuate the vertical air intakes while emphasising
the sporty and robust stance of the BMW Concept XM.
The side view: an expression of unbridled dynamism.
The powerful and heavily contoured proportions of the
BMW Concept XM highlight the car’s resolutely standalone identity and
draw the eye to the coupé-like character of the body. The visually
striking front end, long bonnet and stretched, sloping roofline
present a characterful two-box design with a distinctive outline. The
window graphic narrows significantly as it approaches the rear,
enriching the dynamism of the side view.
The two-tone paint finish of the BMW Concept XM further accentuates
its distinctive lines: the upper section is in matt gold-bronze, while
the lower section sports the Space Grey metallic shade. Below the
window graphic, a broad, High-gloss Black line – the “black belt” –
separates the two exterior colours. The signature M exterior mirrors
give the car a clean-cut and technical, sporty edge. The charging flap
rearwards of the front-left wheel is a reminder of the M Hybrid drive
system at work.
Throughout the side view, deliberately short character lines, which
start off boldly before fading softly, accentuate the car’s agile,
modern feel. The expressive rear lights extend well into the car’s
flanks and create an eye-catching transition into the rear. The black
cladding typical of BMW X models above the wheels and on the side
skirts is very clearly defined and gives the body an elevated
appearance. The elongated body sits on 23-inch light-alloy wheels,
which bring extra power and solidity to the side view.
The rear
: powerful stature and newly interpreted
design.
The design of the rear end likewise accentuates
the car’s powerful stature, and the BMW Concept XM cuts a low and
sporty figure from this angle. The rear window is inserted almost
seamlessly into the rear end. The fresh interpretation of the design
can also be seen in the arrangement of the BMW logo, which is
laser-etched into the window below each of the two cant rails. This is
a stylistic reference to the BMW M1, to date the only example of a
standalone model developed exclusively by BMW M GmbH.
Lower down at the rear end, prominently flared wheel arches draw
attention to the car’s powerful stance on the road. Extremely slim and
boldly L-shaped rear lights extending across almost the entire width
of the rear add to the effect. The lights themselves have a dark
appearance when not active, giving way to a precise and uniform shade
of red when switched on. Dominating the rear apron are the
characteristic twin tailpipes of BMW M models. The dual-branch,
twin-tailpipe exhaust system employed here reduces backpressure for
the V8 engine and also generates the emotionally rich M-typical
soundtrack accompanying the engine’s imposing power delivery. The
vertical arrangement and hexagonal interpretation of the tailpipes
breathe new life into this classically iconic feature.
The interior design – high performance and extrovert
luxury.
Inside the BMW Concept XM, the driver will find
a distinctive M interpretation of driver-focused cockpit design. The
lines and surface design of the instrument panel, centre console, door
trim and seats give the ambience in the front compartment a
progressive feel with their powerful geometry and high-quality
materials. Brown, vintage-look leather, copper and carbon fibre create
a bridge between luxury and motor sport. A bold trim element provides
clear visual separation between the driver’s area and the other
sections of the car.
Inside the cockpit area, a decorative surface made from carbon fibre
with interwoven copper thread creates a sporty and exclusive base for
displays, air vents and control/operating elements. The new BMW Curved
Display screen grouping positioned above it creates a neat balance
between traditional driver focus and modern digitality. Red accents on
the steering wheel and centre console are M-specific references to the
car’s sporting prowess. A trio of vertical elements presented in the
three colours of the BMW M brand logo form the heart of the centre console.
Spacious and luxurious: the M Lounge.
The
unwavering driver focus of the front compartment contrasts with the
extravagant and luxurious lounge-like ambience in the rear of the BMW
Concept XM. Special materials, visually powerful surfaces and
expressive details turn the rear seats into the unique M Lounge,
black-tinted rear side windows underscoring the abiding sense of
privacy here. While warm brown leather dominates the cockpit, the rear
is decked out in the rich colour shade Petrol. The large rear seat
bench with its deep seat recesses forms an inviting space to relax.
Only the diamond-shaped area of the head restraints – which provides
the supporting function familiar from BMW M Sport seats in other
models – is leather-trimmed. The lower sections of the seats offer
high comfort and an exclusive couch character with their luxurious
velvet upholstery and diamond quilting. Deep-pile carpeting with a
diamond pattern adds to the exclusive impression.
Illuminated and sculptural: the
headliner
.
The visual highlight of the cabin is its
headliner with a three-dimensional prism structure. A combination of
indirect and direct lighting produces a relief-like structure which
showcases the headliner as an exclusive work of art. Together with the
ambient lighting, it highlights the BMW Concept XM’s blend of luxury
and comfort to extremely striking effect. The ambient lighting can be
activated in the three BMW M colours.
BMW Curved Display with M-specific user interface.
Based on the latest generation of BMW iDrive, the M-specific
version of the control/operation system translates the
high-performance character of the BMW Concept XM into the digital
world. Showcased in the familiar three M colours, the user interface
lends itself perfectly to a sporty driving experience. It visualises
the modes of the hybrid drive system as well as the pure-electric
driving mode with captivating aesthetic appeal. The BMW Curved Display
provides the perfect stage for showing off this bespoke design and
previews the user interface that will bring extra intensity to the
driving experience in all future BMW M models.
Overview
- The BMW Concept XM embodies an expressive new vehicle
concept: a zero-compromise BMW M with striking BMW X design language.
- The new, progressive front-end design of BMW’s forthcoming
luxury-class models can be seen for the first time on the
BMW Concept XM. The slim and iconic daytime driving lights and the
eye-catching contour lighting of the kidney grille are the main
focal points.
- The series-production model – the BMW XM – will be
produced from the end of 2022 at BMW Group Plant
Spartanburg in the USA, the most important sales market for the new
high-performance model.
- BMW M GmbH will therefore be presenting the first
standalone M model since the legendary BMW M1 in the year
it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
- The BMW XM will be the first electrified high-performance
model in the BMW M portfolio. It will be available as an
M Hybrid only.
- The newly developed M Hybrid drive system
combines a V8 engine with a high-performance electric motor. It
generates maximum output of 550 kW/750 hp and peak
torque of 1,000 Nm (737 lb-ft).
- The drivetrain enables an all-electric range of up to 80
km. The first electrified vehicle from BMW M GmbH for the
high-performance segment therefore points the way for the
future of the M brand.
-
Vehicle design: Bold, robust and new – the
expressive design of the BMW Concept XM represents an emotionally
potent statement beyond all norms and conventions.
-
Exterior design: The impactful exterior design
forms a visually expressive silhouette that exudes presence. The
strikingly sculpted surfaces and extravagant lines create a
unique design language.
-
Interior: With its exclusive materials and the
luxurious M Lounge in the rear, the cabin
reflects the groundbreaking character of the BMW Concept XM. The
sculptural, illuminated headliner is a special
highlight that gives the spacious rear compartment a sense of extravagance.