
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, M Hybrid, 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.
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
charac-ter 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 win-dow 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 power delivery. The vertical arrangement and
hexagonal interpretation of the tail-pipes 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.