Meet the BMW XM, aka the Second standalone M Car in Half a Century
For half a century, BMW enthusiasts have been patiently waiting for the next M car to grace the roads, and their perseverance has finally paid off with the arrival of the BMW XM. This automotive marvel marks only the second M-exclusive car in 45 years, since the original M1, and its significance cannot be understated. As I took the wheel of this automotive beast, I couldn’t help but marvel at its prowess and how it stacks up against its siblings, the IX and X5M. But we’ll get to that in a moment, but feel the need to add that, ‘I get it’. We’ve come to believe that M cars mean track-centric whips that offer breakneck performance with little compromise. And indeed, BMW M Division has a staggering lineup of such vehicles in their catalogue but in truth, whilst the M1 was built primarily for motorsport, it also represented the brand’s engineering might, and was wrapped in a slippery mid-engined coupe body designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro himself. It was a statement. As is the XM, but in 2023 where electrification and social media cannot be ignored. Oh, that’s not meant as a dig in the slightest, just a point of reference – things are very different now. Hence, this geometric SUV profile, and attention-seeking over-grilled visage. Which on a black test model such as the one I’ve got the keys to, looks phenomenal.
In terms of performance, the BMW XM stands tall among its counterparts. Equipped with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine, it churns out a staggering 480kW and 800Nm. The acceleration is exhilarating, propelling the XM from 0 to 100kph in just 4.3 seconds, leaving you glued to the plush leather seats. Now, let’s draw comparisons with the IX and X5M. The BMW IX in its fiercest M60 spec, being an all-electric SUV, offers impressive instant torque and a near-silent drive. It delivers 450kW and leaps from 0 to 100kph in a claimed 3.8 seconds. The X5M, on the other hand, boasts a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces 460kW and matches its sprint in an equally impressive 3.9 seconds. Both of these cost marginally less than the XM and as you can see, are by a ball-hair quicker too. So. As I mentioned before, ‘I get it’. But to be blunt, neither is as special as the XM. Because it is only the second standalone car from BMW M Division, making its appeal sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy.
During my exhilarating drive through the Western Cape, I appreciated the XM’s precise handling and raw power. The open roads allowed me to unleash its full potential, reveling in a pointy and engaging helm, as it effortlessly glided through curves, leaving me with an ear-to-ear grin. The sumptuous interior enveloped me in comfort, and the advanced infotainment system provided seamless connectivity. I liked it very much, as did the countless onlookers crowding the car as we rolled by. Sometimes silently when manoeuvering at low speeds, and other times at highway pace, orchestrating a big pipe V8 symphony. Because look, the second M car in half a century is an automotive event worth celebrating.