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-   -   Review: 2023 BMW XM (G09) (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-drives-initial-ownership-reports/269452-review-2023-bmw-xm-g09.html)

Likes;

- Road Presence & Exclusivity (Design & Enormous Dimensions are unlike anything you'l spot on the road)
- Interior Design, Material Mix & 3D Roof-liner (Distinguishes itself from the current BMW lineup well)
- Fantastic Driving Performance (1st Hybrid by the M Division)
- Handling (Handles well for its weight)

Dislikes;

- Pricing (Out of reach for most of us enthusiasts)
- Ride Quality (Very Stiff in Sport Mode, saving grace are the tubeless tyres)
- Exterior Looks (Love it or Hate It Design takes time getting used to, needs to be carefully specced)
- 4.3 secs to 100 km/h is slow (If BMW is targeting the Super SUV space it needed a faster product but they have chosen to reserve this for the Label Red)

Video Review;

https://youtu.be/WcjOhJuP7hg

^ The video is divided as per the following chapters below;

00:00 - Intro
01:06 - Project Rockstar
01:49 - XM Nomenclature Story
03:31 - Platform Details
04:14 - Driving Performance
08:12 - Ride & Handling
10:02 - Exterior & Interior

For those who prefer text may read the following posts;

Exterior;

The exteriors of this car are Radically Dynamic & Distinctive;



I personally love how the car looks in flesh right from the long bonnet, old school two box design;



^ Smoothly incorporating a stooping roofline as well.

Just the right amount of gold in this one;



If specced well then the XM looks menacingly good;



The aesthetic muscularity continues at the rear with references to the M1 by incorporating double BMW logos;



Interior;

In Comparison to the Exterior the Interiors of the XM, Im sure most of us love it & the overall job BMW has done to distinguish this product from the rest is felt;



Familiar iDrive 8 screen, interesting to note that the Label red will get the 8.5.



3D Sculptural Headliner is the interior highlight for me;

Nomenclature, Platform and other details;



The XM was internally codenamed as "Project Rockstar" by BMW. XM is the 2nd standalone product after almost 50 years (first being M1), Pure M SUV built by the M Division hence the name XM was given. However to get this name BMW had to get permission from Citroen Because the XM moniker originally belonged to Citroen for their flagship XM;



However after a constructive dialogue between the two companies it led to a GENTLEMANS AGREEMENT where BMW was allowed to use the XM moniker.
It was not one sided as Citroen too got to use the X moniker for its C5X (launched in 2021) where previously the bavarains are known for using the X with a numerical for its SUVs.

The XM is based on the updated version of the CLAR platform also known as the Cluster Architecture. This platform aids weight reduction in the chassis without compromising on structural integrity. Platform allows semi autonomous driving & other advanced tech. features. Interestingly it doesn’t get BMW’s patent carbon core technology (reserved for sedans may be).

Driving Experience;

So i have had multiple encounters with the XM, the 1st one was at the service centre where the 1st XM (show/media car) had come for PDI i was not allowed to click any pics, the 2nd time was at the Joy Town event where i got a pvt. tour (Interior & Exterior), thirdly was driving one at a dragstrip and that time i got a fair understanding of the capabilities of the XM & its drivetrain;



Now driving one in the real world scenario, my personal opinion is that the XM possesses enough power to keep you engaged in any condition, clearly there is no need for any more;



However, if you look at the specifications of this engine which is a 4.4 L V8 & having driven other BMW V8's i'd say that this engine specifications are very modest as the internal combustion engine is producing under 500 HP. V8 from the X5M also produces more than 600 HP, hence this V8 in the XM feels restricted. We need to remember that this is a hybrid and the combined HP rating is 653 HP. So a lot of the HP is coming from the Electric Motor which feels like an additional turbo boost to make 800 NM as the torque number which cannot be ignored.



Outright acceleration (0-100 km/h in 4.3 secs) is outrageously quick for its weight (aprox 2.75 MT), but the yet to launch Label Red is the actual Super SUV.



The gearbox being the M steptronic (4th Gen.) transmission makes the shift performance interestingly good specially the way it manages torque delivery of the IC engine & the integrated electric motor. Throttle response is instant as this M hybrid powertrain makes the XM charge like a Rhino at any RPM. The exhaust note is also very unique with the V8 muscle sound in combination with an energy charged soundtrack pumped through the Bowers & Wilkins audio system :thumbs up

Handling;

We are aware this is the most powerful car made by BMW but this is also the heaviest (Armoured / Protection variants aside) car BMW has ever made.



Keeping that in mind, the handling performance is very appealing. M Adaptive Suspension does a good job in really making the suspension stiff and aiding confidence to manage weight (with 50:50 distribution) and dimensions. Also the XM is the 1st BMW to come with Active Steering, the system works by adjusting steering angle and ratio based on speed, giving drivers greater control over their vehicle's handling. The brakes are good enough & also offer 2 pedal feel settings, One is more direct execution or 2nd is the comfortable feel, this can be configured in the iDrive.



Ride;



Ride is stiff. Chassis in comfort does free up the suspension a bit and aids comfort cruising fur sure but needs good roads as it's running on a 22" Wheel setup & that's the smaller wheel as the gold rims are 23"ers. Interestingly the tyres were Yokohama (V107) tubeless, usually Michelin dominates M division tyre supply followed by Continental.

Final Thoughts;

Super SUV space is hotter than ever before as Aston Martin, Ferrari & Lamborghini have entered this category with their best foot forward. Clearly the XM is positioned to take away sales from the G63 & the Lamborghini Urus as well. So, to conclude things it would be fair to say that If you're looking for the biggest, brawniest, top of the food-chain BMW SUV out there, then the BMWM division have you covered.

Glad you liked the vehicle, but will you buy one over the others you mentioned? :)

Yes, this thing is large, and the interiors are all leather and whatnot, but whenever I sat "in" the driver's seat, one just sinks into it. The large proportions of the car do not in any way give you a commanding seating position. Also, that large roof and leather are ok for night times with that light and bling, but it can suffocate a claustrophobic person.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the subsequent generations. This one is more like a slow mover with mostly negative views and even being sold at Discounts immediately after launch overseas. Let's see if that "red" makes it to India and at what price.

Thanks for sharing your experience Turbanator Saab :)

Just the way the M1 did not get new generation renewal this being a standalone product I personally dont see this getting a new gen at all.

Yes it is, you can reserve one too as the dealerships should accept the booking.

I'm in that small corner of folk actually liking the design of the XM and the proportions. Yes, there are aspects that I don't like but in the right color and right trim options with right wheels it looks quite good.


That's BMW over emphasizing the "Sports" in the SUV.

I too read somewhere that BMW is not exactly having it their way with sales numbers of the XM but the way I see it, clever and attractive lease deals will get them the break even volume for this model.

I believe there will be another Gen with a much more madder trim too. This segment is a bit of a stretch for the X5M to fill.


Incidentally, I bumped into this thread as I was passing by a XM test vehicle in Munich.

At the risk of going slightly off topic, I'll introduce the Audi Q8. I believe BMW considers the Q8 as competition to the XM.


I happened to see a Q8 in Munich Airport some time ago and I noticed the seating position. It too has the "sink inside" kind of seats. Guess their market study suggested so.

Okay. I drove the car for a brief while. It is a serious torque lugger. And I don't think I'd be able to handle so much torque on the average Indian street that has so many people just criss crossing and jumping in front of me with scant regard for anything that is safety related.

I'd much rather sit in a little mellowed down one like a VW Tiguan :) personal preference!