2023 BMW XM debuts at Motorclassica, Australian pricing announced
- UPDATE: The BMW XM has made a world-first debut at Melbourne’s Motorclassica.
- The story to here
- September 28: Australian pricing for the new 2023 BMW XM performance SUV has been revealed, starting from $297,900 before on-road costs.
- 2023 BMW XM specs: The basics
- The story to here
- 2023 BMW XM revealed
- What’s under the bonnet?
- How big is it, really?
- This is the production car?
- Want more performance?
- September 15: BMW XM teased ahead of imminent reveal
UPDATE: The BMW XM has made a world-first debut at Melbourne’s Motorclassica.
BMW’s M division has unveiled its new hero $297,900 BMW XM SUV at this past weekend’s Motorclassica in Melbourne. Check out our walkaround video below, and continue reading for all the details.
The story to here
September 28: Australian pricing for the new 2023 BMW XM performance SUV has been revealed, starting from $297,900 before on-road costs.
It’s a huge asking price, but with the 2023 BMW XM offering 480kW of power 800Nm of torque through a 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 matched to an electric plug-in hybrid system – and a 0-100km/h time of just 4.3 seconds – BMW appears confident it’ll find willing buyers.
The 2023 BMW XM will go on sale in Australia in the first half of 2023, while a more power 550kW/1000Nm XM Label Red model will follow later in the year.
As described in our big reveal story below, the 2023 BMW XM promises an all-electric driving range of around 82 kilometres from its 25.7kWh lithium-ion battery system, tested on the WLTP cycle.
like all plug-in hybrid models, the XM can also operated in a petrol-electric hybrid mode, although fuel consumption figures for hybrid driving are still to be confirmed.
As a plug-in hybrid, the XM isn’t capable of charging as fast as most all-electric offerings, with AC charging speeds listed at 7.4kW.
Mike Stevens
2023 BMW XM standard features for Australia |
---|
Adaptive M Suspension Professional |
Eight-speed M Steptronic transmission |
M Sport Differential |
22-inch M Light alloy wheels (23-inch wheels a no cost option) |
Tyre Pressure Monitor |
Travel & Comfort System |
Heated and cooled front cup holders |
M Multifunction front seats |
M Seat Belts |
Comfort Pack (Ventilated Seats, Massage Function, Heat Comfort Pack, Heated Front |
and Rear Seats) |
Sun Protection Glazing |
Driving Assistant Professional |
Parking Assistant Plus |
Live Cockpit Professional with HUD |
BMW Connected Package Professional |
Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System |
Wireless Smartphone Charging |
Digital Radio |
Comfort Access |
Soft Close Doors |
Alarm |
BMW Gesture Control |
Personal eSim |
BMW IconicSounds Electric |
BMW Individual Interior with Leather ‘Merino’ upholstery |
Metallic Paintwork |
Exterior Line Night Gold (M High Gloss Shadow Line a no cost option) |
Carbon Fibre interior trim |
4-Zone Climate Control |
BMW Iconic Glow illuminated grille surround |
5 Year BMW Service Inclusive (BSI) package |
Flexible Fast charge cable (Mode 2) |
Public Charging cable (Mode 3) |
2023 BMW XM specs: The basics
Powertrain | 4.4L M TwinPower Turbo V8 petrol engine with M HYBRID system incorporating BMW eDrive technology with synchronous electric motor and lithium-ion battery |
---|---|
Drive | All wheel (M xDrive) |
Combined output (kW) | 480 |
Torque (Nm) | 800 |
0-100km/h (sec) | 4.3 |
HV battery (net kWh) | 25.7 |
EV range (WLTP, km) | 82-88km# |
Consumption | TBC |
Price | $297,900* |
The story to here
2023 BMW XM revealed
Snapshot
- 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 with plug-in hybrid assistance
- First dedicated M car since M1, first electrified M car
- XM produces 480kW/800Nm; hotter Label Red variant incoming
The 2023 BMW XM has been revealed, breaking new ground for BMW’s fabled M Division.
The XM represents the first standalone model since the M1 supercar, and marking the performance specialist’s initial steps towards electrification by introducing the very first plug-in hybrid powertrain to the M-badged fraternity.
What’s under the bonnet?
The BMW XM is powered by BMW’s 4.4-litre hot-vee twin-turbo S68 V8, which made its debut in the new X7 M60i, producing 390kW and 750Nm.
Here, in M Division’s new flagship SUV, the twin-turbo V8 is complemented by an electric motor within the BMW’s eight-speed automatic transmission, fed by a 25.7kWh battery pack yielding an electric-only driving range of around 80km on the WLTP cycle – at up to 140km/h. Total combined output is 480kW and 800Nm, with the big beast able to clock triple digits from a standstill in 4.3-seconds.
How big is it, really?
The BMW XM is significantly larger than the BMW X5 and X6, but is actually smaller than the three-row X7 large SUV – similar to the distinction between Audi’s large Q7 and sportier Q8.
Inside, BMW’s XM is a two-row arrangement seating five occupants in total. Drivers take command of BMW’s latest iDrive 8 infotainment system interfacing with an ultrawide display comprising of a 12.3-inch driver information screen and a 14.9-inch central control screen.
Presentation of the cabin is as striking as the exterior, with release imagery illustrating some wild specification options, including a two-tone blue leather and ‘vintage’ brown leather that is intended to look pre-aged.
One of the headline features its the XM’s headliner itself, with a glowing and sculpted three-dimensional ceiling swathed in ambient lighting, which will dynamically react to things such as when a paired phone receives a call, or when an occupant might be at risk of opening a door into a hazard.
This is the production car?
Yes. With its latest flagship SUV, M Division is doubling down on its contemporary design language involving flat surfacing, blocky edges with larger-than-life kidney grilles contrasted by razor-thin headlights.
Certain elements have been toned down from the polarising XM Concept, but you let us know what you think of the production-ready car in the comments below.
A chrome trim runs the belt line of the car’s side, kicking up at the rear doors in tribute to BMW’s signature Hofmeister kink.
The car is cornered as standard by 23-inch wheels and suspended by conventional steel springs and aided by 48-volt active roll stabilisation.
Want more performance?
The ‘standard’ BMW XM preludes a number of hotter, limited-edition variants with the first BMW XM Label Red version to be revealed after the XM’s US release in the first quarter of 2023.
The XM Label Red will be the first of what BMW calls “a series of BMW XM Label models”, with various rumours mentioning a possible future “Label Black”.
The 2023 BMW XM Label Red will be available for a limited time, and produce around 550kW and 996Nm.
It will also receive unique wheels, paint, upholstery and trim selections with BMW USA publicising a price of more than US$185,000 (AU$287,965 converted) for the XM Label Red. Production of the XM Label Red is scheduled for the final quarter of 2023, with further details to come.
US pricing has the 2023 BMW XM open at US$159,995, which equates to AU$248,802 at the current exchange rate.
Australian availability remains unconfirmed at this stage, though global production is expected to commence by the end of 2022, with US deliveries expected in the first quarter of 2023.
September 15: BMW XM teased ahead of imminent reveal
BMW M’s first electrified model – and its first standalone vehicle in 40 years – is just around the corner.
A short teaser video by BMW USA has confirmed the 2023 BMW XM plug-in hybrid SUV will be unveiled on September 28 at 8am AEST, after several leaks and previews.
In the 25-second video posted to YouTube – titled ‘The Worlds of X and M collide’ – a grumble from the XM’s twin-turbo V8 petrol engine can be heard, which will be assisted by plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology.
Combined, the flagship BMW XM will produce 559kW and 1000Nm in flagship guise, while the entry-level version develops 355kW.
The expected look of the XM large SUV – which is based on the X7 – is no surprise, with leaked patents exposing its design earlier this month.
Our renderings of the final design (pictured throughout) show it will be tamer than last year’s concept, although the massive nostrils will still dominate the front end.
The show car’s illuminated grille has been downsized slightly, but retains most of its width, while the slender daytime running lights, headlights, and angular details of the concept appear to carry over mostly unchanged.
Meanwhile, the rear has been toned-down, with the tail-lights that hooked dramatically into the rear quarters and large M1-inspired roof extensions with integrated BMW logos removed – and replaced by a tacked-on panel that merely hints at an homage.
The stacked quad exhaust pipes remain in place, however, reminding buyers and onlookers that this is a proper BMW M car.