This month, let’s take a trip into a different world. The vehicle that will take us there is the BMW XM Label, the current pinnacle of the BMW lineup. It’s bigger and, in the deep-black Petrol Mica Metallic finish, more sinister than the majority of vehicles on the road today. The growl coming out of the quadruple tailpipe reinforces the fierce looks and belies a hidden electric powertrain.
But the showstopper for many will be the sticker on the window—$191,985 to have this black beast of a machine sitting in your driveway. Now it works out to $216.14 per single horsepower from the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 (for the math-challenged that works out to 738 horsepower) to move the three-ton SUV.
There’s an internal consistency to all of these numbers when you realize this is a rare model developed by BMW’s M group, its famed motorsports arm that designs street-legal versions of what are essentially race cars. The XM fits the mold, with blistering performance (a claimed 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds), even though it’s running on massive 23-inch wheels.
An Electrified Surprise
The XM is a full-size SUV, although it is only a five-seater with an advertised 18 cubic feet behind the second seat (it looks much bigger). All seats are sumptuous and full of soothing things like heating and massage. The rear seats are named the M Lounge—and it feels like it, more comfortable furniture than a car. The M ticket may be performance, but this model exudes luxury as well (as it should for the price).
But there’s a surprise here—underneath that comfy seat is a 29.5 kWh battery. The XM is a plug-in hybrid, capable of driving more than 30 miles on electricity when fully charged. At that point the big V8 comes to life and kicks in. Realistically, the battery is mostly used to enhance the performance of an already powerful vehicle. In theory you could charge daily (a 7-hour task on a 240V system) and drive around town solely on electrons, though I doubt many XM drivers will.
Driving the XM on electricity feels much like it does with the engine rumbling, just quieter. The 8-speed transmission seamlessly finds the appropriate gear. This car is about projecting and experiencing power. Road-handling is precise, as you would expect from a BMW. The company has made quite a foray into electrification with several full electric and plug-in hybrid models on the market. We have yet to find one that had any faults other than price tags out of the range of many new car buyers.
An Alternative Approach
If the overall look and size is what captivates you, BMW does have an alternative. XM has two trim levels below the XM Label, though the starting price still begins at $159,000. Those “lesser” models have twin-turbo 6-cylinder engines instead of the V8 (still offering a “minimum” of 469 horsepower), a little more demure exterior/interior trim and a few less standard features. All XMs do come with three years of free maintenance (3 years or 36,000 miles).
This vehicle is a statement. I’m not sure exactly what that statement is due to the mixed messages of a brawny, inefficient V8 engine combined with an integrated electric drive, but it is not one to be ignored. I have driven other cars in this price range, and XM stands out for its brash looks, but fits right in with a long list of potential “bespoke” options (like 165 different paint colors and finishes). The message may be right there on the window label that lists all of the features and their cost. If you can’t get past that label, move on.
