BMW Asia has launched the first-ever BMW XM on our shores. Developed fully independently with no conceptual baseline found in the BMW model range, this high-performance car dressed in Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) clothing brings together cutting-edge drive system technology with a spectacular vehicle concept.

The BMW XM shares its drive concept of an eight-cylinder combustion engine supported by an electric motor with the newly developed endurance racing car from BMW M Motorsport – the BMW M Hybrid V8. The BMW XM is also the first BMW M original since the BMW M1.

The M HYBRID drive system fuses a 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 motor with an electric motor, generating a combined output of 653bhp and 800Nm. Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, and it completes the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.3 seconds.

We might mistake the XM to be in full gung-ho mode right from the get-go, for one that looks so distinctively aggressive. But its yin and yang personality is what sets it apart from competitors who have yet to compete with its breath of abilities (and character). The XM is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which often means that there’s a battery pack sufficient for silent crawls around town. For the XM, it’s packing 25.7 kWh worth of usable energy that’s good for up to 88km (WLTP) of full EV tranquility, up to 140km/h.

Drivers can choose between HYBRID, ELECTRIC and eCONTROL modes. There is also the Setup button providing direct access to the configuration settings for the drive system, chassis, steering, braking system, M xDrive, and level of braking energy recuperation.

Another engineering feat we found intriguing was its near perfect 50:50 weight distribution, which should aid in its strive for dynamism. A double-wishbone front axle and a five-link rear axle works with standard adaptive M suspension, electronically controlled dampers, active roll stabilisation with 48V electric motors and Active Roll Control to defy the laws of physics - engineers’ midas touch almost mandatory for one that weighs nearly 2.8 tonnes.

The exterior design of the BMW XM might be an area of contentious debate when launch images were released, but our time with it in the flesh revealed one that appears sleek and purposeful with a tinge of sexiness - head turning abilities a given and also necessary, as we’d assume customers would use it for leisure strolls along Rodeo Drive or any equivalent high fashion streets around the globe.

The car’s body measures 5,110mm in length, with a wheelbase of 3,105mm. At a width of 2,005mm, the BMW XM is wider than any other model in BMW’s model range, and the SAV stands at 1,755mm tall.

On the inside, there is a new Coffee Brown Vintage leather for the upper sections of the instrument panel and door panels. Soft nappa leather is used here for the first time too.

The headliner is bordered in the style of a photo mount by more Alcantara surfaces, and fibre-optic light guides containing 100 LED units are integrated for various mood lighting effects.

The BMW XM falls under VES Band B and will set you back a cool S$1,003,888. That’s 10% more than a long wheelbase Range Rover Autobiography and on par with a Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS600. As with all cars in this uber-premium segment, it's highly dependent on how trigger-happy customers are with the options list. Even then, it's mind-boggling to realise that the XM starts from GBP$145k (S$237k) in the UK, no thanks to additional taxes layered on luxury cars here. At least we now know for a fact that with a base price in the seven figure range, Singapore welcomes a new member to the million dollar club…

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