BMW reveals close-up of Concept XM in UAE

The new vehicle has leapt off the drawing board and will be produced for real later in 2022

The BMW Concept XM will be available before the end of 2022. All photos: BMW

The XM's dramatic stylings.

The XM on the move.

Head on.

Out of the shadows.

The XM has a sleek look.

A peek inside the cabin.

The XM from the rear.

A striking colour show inside the cabin.

The XM's new, neat wing mirror.

An aerodynamic groove is a feature of the XM's roof.

The car's new grille.

The XM moves in from the darkness.

The eye of the XM.

BMW M's designers have redesigned the cabin in a distinctly modern way.

The front headrests from the back seat.

Getting the green light.

BMW gave motoring enthusiasts in Dubai and Abu Dhabi a glimpse at its future with a viewing of its most extravagant vehicle to date, the BMW Concept XM.

That word "concept", when used in relation to a car, is often an indicator that the ride in question will never see the light of day, but that is not the case here. The XM, as the production vehicle has been dubbed (neatly dropping that concept moniker), will be rolling out of the manufacturer’s Spartanburg plant in the US before the end of 2022.

The XM is the most powerful M car to date, which is some claim if you take into account what the company has produced before in that particular line.

The vehicle is powered by the manufacturer’s newly developed M hybrid drive system, combining a V8 engine and an electric motor. Together, they can generate 550 kilowatts / 750 horsepower and deliver peak torque of 1,000Nm.

The shape of the car screams modernity, displaying what BMW calls “dynamism, agility and precision”. The cockpit is also heavily driver-focused and offers customers what the manufacturer refers to a “luxurious retreat”.

You can certainly see how much effort has gone into the design of the XM, with even the smallest details — headrests, door handles, wing mirrors, and so on — all looking very space age.

The car got its first outing in November last year at Art Basel’s 2021 Miami Beach show, and the XM is being produced as BMW M, the company’s high-performance subsidiary behind all the M offerings, marks its 50th birthday.

Syed Faiz Karim, Abu Dhabi Motors’ general manager, showed great enthusiasm for the car.

"This exciting new vehicle embodies the key pillars of the BMW brand, combining both high-performance driving with the highest level of luxury,” he said.

There's no word on pricing yet, but commentators suggest a figure around the Dh1 million mark may be close. The car will be available early in 2023.