In a couple of weeks, Malaysians will be able to order the most powerful car ever to wear the BMW M badge. The XM marks a number of firsts for Munich’s performance sub-brand—its first dedicated model since the seminal M1 supercar and its first car to feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain. You are going to pay through your nose for that privilege, however, and you’ll also have to deal with the love-it-or-hate-it looks.
BMW XM Malaysia price and availability
The BMW XM will be available in a single variant, priced at an estimated RM1.4 million. This includes a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and a five-year service package; there’s no pricing with the standard two-year warranty as yet.
Customers here will be able to make their bookings starting October 20, though deliveries will take quite a bit longer—global production at the Spartanburg, North Carolina plant is only slated to begin in December. The first customers will get their cars in the spring, with an unspecified “limited” amount of units coming to Malaysia.
BMW XM Malaysia specs
The XM debuts 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 643hp 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. An even more powerful XM Label Red will also be offered globally, adding a more powerful 577hp/750Nm engine to push total outputs to 738hp and a whopping 1,000Nm. This model, however, will only be introduced next year.
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.
Definitely not an X5 M in drag
As a big, high-performance SUV, the XM draws obvious comparisons with the X5 and X6 M, but it looks like neither both on the outside and inside. The polarising exterior is blocky and angular, 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. In Malaysia, the grille and accent strip will be finished in gloss black instead of the standard gold. 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. Available colours for Malaysia include Cape York Green, Carbon Black, Marina Bay Blue, Toronto Red, Mineral White, Black Sapphire and Dravit Grey.
Bespoke interior, widescreen displays
The aggressive aesthetic continues on the inside, where the XM sports 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.
Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capability
While BMW Malaysia isn’t always so generous with active safety kit, 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.
