BMW’s odd looking SUV, the XM, has been given a healthy bump in power, creating the most powerful BMW M car ever.
Yes, you read that right. BMW‘s most powerful M car ever is… an SUV? Let’s get back to that in a second and introduce the XM Label Red (feels like it should be called ‘Red Label’ doesn’t it?). It’s based on the already rather spritely normal XM, which is powered by a 4.4 litre V8, hooked up to a plug-in hybrid system. Total output of that car is 653bhp with 800Nm of torque delivering a 0-60 time of 4.3 seconds.
Pretty impressive figures, but the Label Red has gone one step further. Bumping the power by 95bhp, to a total of 748bhp and a mightily impressive 1000Nm of torque. This makes it capable of dispatching the 0-60 dash in just 3.8 seconds. It is not the fastest M car ever, but it is the most powerful – beating the M5 CS’ output of just 653bhp by quite some margin. Power is split 585bhp from the V8 with the electric motor adding a whopping 197bhp – the same as a Fiesta ST.
It still sits on par with the monstrous M760Li regarding the acceleration times, which is quite something for a 2.7 tonne(!) house on wheels. Power is sent to all 4 wheels via BMW’s xDrive AWD system.
Now, we need to talk about the elephant in the room. That being the styling. It is certainly not the best looking car in the world, and seems to have a face only a mother could love. If this was painted green, you could definitely see this in a popular mobile game about some less than happy birds.
We all know BMW seem to be on a bit of a mad one at the moment, releasing the new M3/M4 with that grille. That hasn’t changed regarding the XM with the large kidney grilles. The Label Red adds matte black paint, with a smattering of red accents dotted around the car. It also has a stripe up the side of the car, akin to a certain van from the ’80s driven by the A-Team.
The electric motor is powered by a high-voltage lithium-ion battery that is integrated into the underbody. The battery is a product of BMW’s fifth-generation eDrive technology. It has a usable energy content of 25.7 kWh, which allows the car to travel a supposed electric range of 47 to 52 miles. The electric motor and the battery work together with an ‘intelligent energy management system’ to maximize efficiency and range.
What’s the price for all of this sensible hybrid luxury? Just a mere £170,000 as a starting price, a jump over the standard XM’s asking price of £148,000. Yikes. Just 500 will be made with no confirmation on how many are coming to the UK.
[…] seems just yesterday that the world was in awe of the V8 plug-in hybrid XM Label Red which is the most powerful BMW ever – regardless of type of propulsion. Set to leave us all […]