BMW XM Malaysia: 644hp performance PHEV is finally here, priced at RM1.3mil

Five months after it was confirmed it would be coming in Malaysia, the BMW XM has finally made its way to our shores. As previously reported, the performance SUV is the first dedicated M model since the seminal M1 supercar and the first to feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain—and as expected, it does not come cheap.

BMW XM Malaysia price and availability

Being that it’s a dedicated M car, there’s just one variant available, priced at a whopping RM1,316,450 on-the-road without insurance. That’s with the standard two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty; you’ll have to pay RM1,398,800 to have a five-year warranty and maintenance package bundled in.

Bookings have been open since October, but even if you’re one of the lucky few to put your name down for one, you’ll still have to wait a little while for yours, as deliveries are only slated to kick off in June (the car you see here is a left-hand-drive pre-production prototype).

BMW XM power and charging

Making its debut on the XM is BMW M’s new PHEV powertrain, led by a familiar 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8. It produces 483hp and 630Nm of torque, and when combined with a 194hp/280Nm electric motor, it results in a total system output of 644hp and 800Nm. The motor is sandwiched between the engine and eight-speed automatic gearbox, driving all four wheels through a rear-biased M xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

So equipped, the XM is able to sprint from zero to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds on its way to a top speed of 270km/h, thanks to the M Driver’s Package fitted as standard in Malaysia.

Drivers can select between three different Drivelogic gearbox modes and three M xDrive settings. The latter includes the standard 4WD mode and the 4WD Sport that sends even more power to the rear wheels. Turn off the stability control and you can engage 4WD Sand, which optimises traction in slippery conditions and locks the rear M Active Differential. Also fitted is the Adaptive M Suspension Professional with variable dampers and active anti-roll bars, along with rear-wheel steering—a BMW M first.

The XM can also drive on electric power alone—the 25.7kWh lithium-ion battery provides a range of 88km on a single charge. Unfortunately, the car does not support DC fast charging; instead, a 7.4kW AC wallbox charger will fill the battery from zero to 100% in 4.25 hours.

Brutal looks with split headlights, giant grilles

As a showcase model for the BMW M lineup, the XM’s aesthetic is as extroverted as they come, with very angular styling and some novel design cues. The front end is dominated by large hexagonal kidney grilles with LED light rings. These are flanked by BMW’s controversial new split headlight design consisting of daytime running lights at the top and the main projectors at the bottom.

Along the side, you’ll find chunky wheel arches and an accent strip that goes around the side windows. Also visible here are the charging port door on the left side, dual-arm M door mirrors and the trademark C-pillar Hofmeister kink. The large 23-inch Star Spoke 923 M two-tone alloy wheels feature a new BMW wordmark on the centre caps; they hide massive brakes with lightweight 508mm discs and six-piston front callipers.

Moving to the rear, the XM comes with slim L-shaped taillights and a chunky rear bumper that houses distinctive vertical quad tailpipes. The roof dips noticeably towards the rear, leading to the back windscreen that houses laser-etched BMW roundels on the top corners—a nod to the aforementioned M1.

Buyers have a choice between either gloss black or matte gold exterior trim, marking out the grille and window accent strip; those who pick the gold will also get the wheels highlighted in the auric hue. Available colours for Malaysia include Cape York Green, Carbon Black, Marina Bay Blue, Toronto Red, Mineral White, Black Sapphire and Dravit Grey.

Luxurious interior with 14.9-inch touchscreen

The interior continues with this aggressive, edgy aesthetic, incorporating a wraparound dashboard design that sweeps around the driver, along with a tall centre console. The BMW Curved Display sits on a carbon fibre base and consists of a 12.3-inch instrument display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen, the latter also incorporating the air-con controls. It runs on the latest BMW Operating System 8 and, unlike some other BMW models sold in Malaysia, comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

Elsewhere, there are carbon paddle shifters, power-adjustable M multifunction seats with illuminated M badges and an “M Lounge” rear bench with space for three passengers. The Alcantara headliner has a prism pattern and is set into a “photo mount” border that is illuminated by the standard multi-colour ambient lighting system. Available upholstery options include Merino leather in black or Sakhir Orange and an extended version (paired with brown vintage-style leather) in Silverstone (grey) and Deep Lagoon (teal).

Other standard features include keyless entry (which will unlock the car when you walk to it), a digital key function that works with ultra-wideband Android and iOS devices, push-button start, gesture control for the touchscreen and a Siri-style Intelligent Personal Assistant.

Full suite of safety systems

As befits a car costing north of a million ringgit, the XM is chock-full with all the driver assists you could want, including adaptive cruise control and lane centring assist for Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. Also fitted is the Parking Assistant Plus that will park the car for you and provides a 360-degree camera system that you can access remotely through a smartphone app.

The cameras can also be used as a form of dash cam and as an anti-theft CCTV, similar to Tesla’s Sentry mode. Other features include autonomous emergency braking, evasive steering assist, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, front and rear cross traffic alert and a door opening warning.