After revealing its flagship BMW XM sports SUV towards the end of 2022 with a pared-back power figure of 480kW and 800Nm of torque, lovers of the BMW ‘M’ division had been patiently awaiting the ‘RED’ variant to arrive with the full 550kW and 1000Nm power figure we’d originally been promised.
Today, that has been realised with the release of the BMW XM Label Red and Label Red Edition, priced from $344,200 plus on-road costs and $349,900 plus on-road costs respectively.
| 2023 BMW XM ‘Label Red Performance Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.4-litre M TwinPower V8 engine and electric motor |
| Power | 550kW total, 430kW at 5600rpm engine alone |
| Torque | 1000Nm total, 750Nm at 1800rpm engine alone |
| All-Electric Range | 82-88km from 27.5kWh lithium-ion battery |
Powered by the same 4.4-litre M TwinPower V8 engine and electric motor combination as the standard XM, the ‘Label Red’ is a ‘Plug-in Hybrid’ Prodrive’s $600,000 Restomod WRX is the Ultimate Sleeper that’s setting the tone for BMWs hardcore ‘M’ division for the foreseeable future. In essence, we should expect the next lineage of ‘M’ cars to be powered by both a conventional powertrain and an electric motor, something that enthusiasts will be happy to hear.
BMW has turned the wick up in the XM ‘Label Red’ with an electric motor that can contribute up to 145kW to the maximum system output and an additional 280Nm of torque. A pre-gearing stage patented by BMW is used to increase the torque produced by the motor to an effective maximum of 450Nm at the transmission input for the motor. We’d expect this to give drivers a serious shove out of low-speed corners, something we’ve come to associate with battery-electric vehicles today.
The combination of a rear-biased M xDrive four-wheel drive system and M Sport differential helps the BMW XM Label Red complete the 0-100km/h sprint takes 3.8 seconds. A rather impressive feat considering the immense weight of the XM, some 6062 Pounds or 2750 kilograms.
To cope with this weight, the Label Red receives M suspension Professional – with electronically controlled dampers and active roll stabilisation with Active Roll Comfort to eliminate body roll on one side of the vehicle – and Integral Active Steering as standard.
With a useable energy content accounting for 25.7kWh, the battery in the XM can deliver an all-electric range of 83 kilometres in the WLTP cycle. This means you could theoretically drive the XM to work during the day, charge it up at night, and never switch on the petrol engine at all. Speaking of charging, the small battery means zero to 100 per cent charge in just 4.25 hours.
And before you even ask, those Baboon-like Toronto Red metallic accents on the exterior can be optioned in black. Customers can also choose from more than 50 BMW Individual special paint finishes, including some of our new favourites like the BMW Individual Urban Green, BMW Individual Petrol Mica metallic, BMW Individual Anglesey Green metallic and BMW Individual Sepia metallic. You can spec your own car right now in the configurator.
It’s not particularly clear why BMW decided to shoehorn the engine from its new M Hybrid V8 endurance race car into the XM’s SUV body, however, it’s clear that the brand isn’t looking to slow down the sales of SUV variants anytime soon. Only last year did we drive the new BMW iX all-electric SUV, and it was so good it made our list of the best cars of 2022. So we look forward to getting behind the wheel of the XM when it arrives in Australia at the end of 2023.
Only 500 examples of the limited edition BMW XM Label Red Edition (as pictured) will be sold globally, with 30 available in Australia.
BMW XM Label Red Standard Specification for Australia
- BMW M TwinPower Turbo V8 with M HYBRID developing 550kW/1000Nm
- Adaptive M Suspension Professional
- Eight-speed M Steptronic transmission
- M Sport Differential
- 22-inch M Light alloy wheels (23-inch wheels a no-cost option)
- Tyre Pressure Monitor
- Travel & Comfort System
- Heated and cooled front cup holders
- M Multifunction front seats
- M Seat Belts
- M High-Gloss Shadow Line
- Comfort Pack (Ventilated Seats, Massage Function, Heat Comfort Pack, Heated Front
and Rear Seats) - Sun Protection Glazing
- Driving Assistant Professional
- Parking Assistant Plus
- Live Cockpit Professional with HUD
- BMW Connected Package Professional
- Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System
- Wireless Smartphone Charging
- Digital Radio
- Comfort Access
- Soft Close Doors
- Alarm
- BMW Gesture Control
- Personal eSim
- BMW IconicSounds Electric
- BMW Individual Interior with Leather ‘Merino’ upholstery in Black/Fiona Red combination
- BMW Individual Metallic Paintwork
- M signature interior trim in Carbon Fibre, featuring M accents in red and blue
- 4-Zone Climate Control
- BMW Iconic Glow illuminated grille surround
- 5 Year BMW Service Inclusive (BSI) package
- Flexible Fast charge cable (Mode 2)
- Public Charging cable (Mode 3)
BMW XM Label Red Edition
The BMW XM Label Red Edition – limited to just 30 examples for Australia – includes the following over the standard kit.
- BMW Individual Frozen Carbon Black exterior finish
- Kidney frame, rear diffuser inserts and waistline in Toronto Red
- 22-inch M light allow wheels Double Spoke 922 in Jet Black with Red Accent
- BMW Individual leather ‘Merino’ with exclusive contents in Fiona Red/Black
- “1 of 500” plaque located in cabin
BMW XM Label Red Wheel Options
- 22-inch light-alloy wheels double spoke style 922 M Bicolour, Jet Black with Solid Jet Black burnished finish
Only for BMW XM Label Red - 22-inch light-alloy wheels double spoke style 922 M Bicolour, Jet Black with Red Accent
Only for BMW XM Label Red Edition - 23-inch light-alloy wheels double spoke style 923 M Bicolour, Jet Black with Solid Jet Black burnished finish
No cost option for BMW XM Label Red; not available for BMW XM Label Red Edition - 23-inch light-alloy wheels double spoke style 923 M Bicolour Night Gold accent, Black with Night Gold burnished finish
No cost option for BMW XM Label Red; not available for BMW XM Label Red Edition
BMW XM Label Red Exterior Accent Colour Options
- Side accent band in Toronto Red
No cost option for XM Label Red; standard on BMW XM Label Red Edition - Side accent band in High-gloss Shadowline
Standard on XM Label Red; not available on BMW XM Label Red Edition - Kidney frame surround and rear diffuser insert in Toronto Red
Not available on XM Label Red; standard on BMW XM Label Red Edition - Kidney frame surround and rear diffuser insert in High-gloss Shadowline
Standard on XM Label Red; not available on BMW XM Label Red Edition
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