BIMS 2023: BMW XM super SUV enters Thai market
Go big, or go home -BMW
BMW just celebrated the 50th anniversary of its M motorsport division and we at Southeast Asia are getting a piece of the super SUV they made for the occasion.
Entering the ASEAN region is none other than the 2023 BMW XM. Debuting at this year's Bangkok International Motor Show, the XM is BMW's flagship super SUV that's big in size, and big in performance.
Positioned above the X5 M, X6 M Competition, and X7 M60i, the XM is the largest and heftiest BMW production vehicle yet. Size-wise, it measures 5110 mm long, 2005 mm wide, and 1755 mm tall with a 2785 kg curb weight.
The XM is made as a bespoke M SUV from the get-go and is not derived from a standard BMW model. And it certainly looks the part with the way the busy front end was designed. It's hard to look at the XM without ever noticing its huge kidney grille that dominates the front fascia. Along with the rest of the body and the optional 23-inch wheels, the kidney grille features gold accents to commemorate BMW M's golden anniversary.
Inside the super SUV is a cabin full of luxury amenities with a hint of performance. While it oozes wealth with contrasting leather color schemes, ambient lighting, and fancy artful forms, it still has an M car's standard features like M multifunction seats, a bespoke M leather steering wheel, and M graphics for the screens in the dashboard. The curved dash display has the latest iDrive8 infotainment system with 12.3 and 14.9-inch screens combined in a single pane of glass.
The standard BMW XM is powered by the S68, a 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8 that produces 489 PS and 650 Nm of torque, and an electric motor that puts out 197 PS and 280 Nm. When combined, the M Hybrid drive system of the XM delivers a total of 653 PS and a maximum overall torque of 800 Nm. Power is transferred to all four wheels via an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission.
BMW says as big as the XM looks, it's still capable of sprinting to 100 km/h from a standstill in just 4.3 seconds. Like other BMW M models, the top speed is limited to 250 km/h from the factory. But opt for the M Driver's Package, and the XM will top out at 270 km/h.
That said, the BMW XM also knows how to keep things smooth and quiet with its electric drive capabilities. It has a lithium-ion battery pack that has 25.7 kWh of usable energy, enabling the XM to go on full electric mode for up to 88 kilometers while doing speeds up to 140 km/h.
Now that the XM has made its way to the ASEAN region, the next question now is whether will it be offered here. Well, BMW Philippines is rolling out models left and right to start the year, and most of those come in as new nameplates for the market. The signs are there, so do you think the BMW XM is next on the list? Let us know in the comments.
