Munich. Two becomes one: the BMW XM portfolio is sharpening its focus, now offering just one model in South Africa.The BMW XM Label range-topper (WLTP combined (EnVKV): energy consumption 33.7 kWh/100 km and 2.3 l/100 km; fuel consumption with discharged battery: 12.8 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions: 53 g/km; CO₂ class with discharged battery/combined: G/B; maximum electric range 76 km)* is now the only model to come with an electrified V8 engine. 

The BMW XM Label combines immense power and an advanced drive concept. Its M HYBRID system consists of a V8 with a peak output of 430 kW and an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission delivering up to 145 kW. With a system output of 550 kW and combined torque of 1,000 Nm, the BMW XM Label is the most powerful BMW M production model ever. It takes just 3.8 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h and has an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. The M Driver’s Package increases this limit to 290 km/h, and is standard on all units sold in South Africa. With its exhilarating performance and uncompromisingly extravagant design, the BMW XM Label enjoys maximum exclusivity in the luxury segment. The most powerful BMW of all time sets new standards with its extrovert design while demonstrating why BMW M stands for “The Ultimate Driving Machine”. 

New equipment options, increased charging rate.

The BMW XM Label now offers additional options for customising the exterior and interior. Newly available, for example, is the optional BMW Individual Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic exterior colour, which highlights the model’s unique character. The BMW M kidney grille complete with accent line can be ordered in high-gloss Black. A new Welcome Light Animation makes the BMW XM Label look particularly impressive after dark. A new wheel option comes in the shape of the 23-inch M light alloy wheels style 1096 M in Black. 

BMW Individual Night Blue Merino Leather with exclusive elements is available as a new option for a particularly extravagant interior ambience. Other new colour combinations for the interior of the BMW XM Label include BMW Individual Black Merino leather with exclusive elements and Vintage Coffee Brown interior surfaces as well as BMW Individual Silverstone Merino leather with Black interior surfaces. The high-quality comfort cushions matching the colour of the seat surfaces now come as standard for all BMW Individual leather merino upholstery. The charging rate of the BMW XM Label increases as well: the M HYBRID system’s Combined Charging Unit now enables AC charging at up to 11 kW.

The upgraded BMW XM Label will be unveiled on 14 June 2025 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. BMW M Motorsport will be competing on the legendary French circuit with the BMW M Hybrid V8 in the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC).

Munich/Miami Beach. BMW and Kith are launching a new edition of their successful collaboration. The BMW XM* and its links to the legendary BMW M1 are the focus of the third collaboration between the premium car manufacturer and Ronnie Fieg's world-renowned lifestyle brand, Kith. The high-performance plug-in hybrid will be available next year as the 2025 BMW XM by Kith, with exclusive exterior and interior designs.
The 2025 BMW XM Kith Concept offers a first look at the car, which will be manufactured as a one-of-one vehicle and presented at Art Basel Miami 2024, taking place from December 6-8 at the Miami Beach Convention Center,  alongside another unique piece, Ronnie Fieg's 1981 BMW M1 E26. A new Kith for BMW collection of apparel and lifestyle products will also be launched.

Following the edition vehicles designed by Ronnie Fieg based on the BMW M4 Competition Coupé* from 2020 and the BMW i4 M50 xDrive* from 2022, BMW and Kith are once again dedicating the latest chapter of their partnership to an exceptional BMW M automobile. The BMW XM, which is also the first original BMW M automobile since the BMW M1 produced from 1978 to 1981, features the newly developed M HYBRID drive system for the first time. The BMW XM features striking details inspired by the design of the legendary mid-engined sports car, such as the side accent strips, the two BMW emblems at the rear and the louvre structure of the rear lights.

2025 BMW XM by Kith: 47 units, historic colour, exclusive details.

The 2025 BMW XM by Kith will be produced in a limited edition of 47 units, reflecting the number of years that have passed since the debut of the BMW M1. It will be delivered in the second half of 2025 to enthusiasts and collectors of particularly exclusive BMW M automobiles. The edition vehicles will be offered with BMW Individual Frozen Techno Violet metallic paint finish, which is also based on historical models. This paint finish, specially developed by Kith for the 2025 BMW XM by Kith, will only ever be used for this limited edition model and will never be used by BMW again, making this edition truly special. Alternatively, BMW Individual Frozen Black metallic paint finish (paint code U91) is also available for the 2025 BMW XM by Kith.

The paintwork and numerous special design features emphasise the particularly dynamic proportions of a modern Sports Activity Vehicle and the expressive lines that characterise the BMW XM. The 2025 BMW XM by Kith features black side window graphics and accent strips. The outline of the model inscriptions on the front, rear and side, as well as the outline of the Kith logo, combined with the characteristic M stripes on the rear of the edition vehicles, are finished in Techno Violet metallic. The 2025 BMW XM by Kith comes as standard with 23-inch M light-alloy wheels in star-spoke design with Jet Black finish.

In the interior, the modern sports car cockpit of the BMW XM by Kith is complemented by exclusive details in the striking aesthetics of the Kith label. The illuminated door sills feature the special “1/47” insignia, denoting how rare each car is. The velour floor mats and the control centre on the centre console all feature the Kith logo with the M stripes.
An illuminated version can also be seen under the headrests of the M multifunction driver and passenger seats. The seat surfaces in the BMW Individual Merino leather finish feature an embossed Kith monogram pattern, as does the armrest of the centre console. Another detail can be found in the control display of the edition vehicles. A special widget includes the official BMW XM by Kith vehicle name, the “1/47” insignia and the Kith logo with the M stripes.

The M Lounge in the rear of the 2025 BMW XM by Kith also creates a personal atmosphere in the vehicle. Embossed Kith monogram on the seat surfaces and two cushions with the label's logo add to the personal touch. Together with the pre-set purple interior lighting, a special atmosphere is created that is appropriate for the edition vehicle.

A Kith duffle bag, designed and manufactured exclusively by Kith for the edition vehicles, is included as standard to stylishly accommodate the included charging cables.

The 2025 BMW XM by Kith will be launched on December 6^th at 5 PM CET on http://www.bmw-m.com/XM-by-KITH. Interested customers can use this link to express their purchase intent.

World premiere in Miami Beach: The 2025 BMW XM Kith Concept.

BMW and Kith will present a concept car, also designed by Ronnie Fieg. The exterior and interior of the 2025 BMW XM Kith Concept have been created by Fieg in collaboration with BMW to express both the distinctive character and exclusive sportiness of the high-performance model in a particularly intense way. Free from all the conventions of production car homologation, he designed a sophisticated lighting concept, in which the colour purple plays a central role, matching the BMW Individual Frozen Techno Violet metallic paint finish. The 2025 BMW XM Kith Concept's side accent strips consist of black backlit strips, each of which contains 363 full-color LED units distributed along its entire length. When activated, these create a dynamically animated purple glow around the Kith lettering. The decor elements on the side panels also feature a backlit Kith logo.

LED units are also used in the headlights to create a purple colour scheme. The Kith logo can also be displayed on the glass covers of the main headlights using LED matrix displays for the low beam headlights. The 2025 BMW XM Kith Concept also features an M radiator grille Iconic Glow with purple contour lighting and a paint finish enriched with purple colour pigments for the 23-inch light-alloy wheels.

As a nod to its motorsport lineage, and to pay homage to the M1’s design, the 2025 BMW XM Kith Concept has been lowered by 30 millimetres at the front and 35 millimetres at the rear, while the track on both axles has been widened by 40 millimetres. This was accomplished thanks to the use of special springs and wheel spacers.

Inside the concept car, M Carbon bucket seats replace the M multifunction seats of the 2025 BMW XM by Kith. They also feature surfaces with embossed Kith monogram and illuminated Kith emblems combined with the M stripes in the area of the headrests.

Reconstructing a legend: 1981 BMW M1 E26 by Ronnie Fieg.

To place both the concept car and the limited edition of 47 2025 BMW XM by Kith in a historical context, another unique model will be presented to the public for the first time in Miami Beach. The 1981 BMW M1 E26 by Ronnie Fieg is an extensively reconstructed one-of-one example of the sports car with specific details from the design repertoire of the Kith label.

The car, which bears the model designation, year of manufacture and internal model series code as well as the name of the Kith founder was according to Ronnie Fieg's ideas. A Techno Violet paint finish (paint code 299), the combined M and Kith emblem on the tailgate and an interior with embossed Kith lettering create new design parallels between Ronnie Fieg's 1981 BMW M1 E26 and the 2025 BMW XM Kith Concept, in addition to the similarities in the design of the production vehicles. Their joint appearance in Miami Beach thus forms a bridge between the first and the last model to be developed and produced exclusively as a BMW M in the more than 50 years of the company's history.

Kith for BMW: Classic BMW design motifs reinterpreted in a new fashion and lifestyle collection.

The presentation of the vehicles designed by Ronnie Fieg in Miami Beach will be accompanied by the launch of a new Kith for BMW apparel and lifestyle collection. The collection includes a wide range of products that take classic BMW design motifs and reinterpret them in Kith's signature style. In addition to the brand emblems and model inscriptions, the colours Techno Violet, Cinnabar Red and Vitality Green, which are used in the current cooperation and in previous joint projects, give the products in the collection an unmistakable look.

The apparel range includes premium jackets in Italian leather, double-sided wool and silky suede, as well as co-branded jumpers, hoodies, rugby shirts, trousers and a range of vintage-inspired T-shirts. The collection also includes a range of premium lifestyle accessories including caps and hats, key fobs and licence plates, leather driving gloves, microfibre towels and cushions, floor mats and carpets, as well as BMW and Kith branded card cases, mugs, trays, umbrellas and snowboards.

A 1:18 scale model of the 2025 BMW XM by Kith is a particular highlight of the collection. In addition to the BMW Individual Frozen Techno Violet metallic body colour, the miniature features numerous other details based on the edition vehicle, including model lettering on the M radiator grille with purple trim and Kith logos on the rear doors, door sills and seats.

The scale model of the new edition vehicle will also be produced in a limited edition and can be ordered exclusively from the BMW Lifestyle Shop. The complete Kith for BMW collection will be available on December 6^th at all Kith shops worldwide, including the Kith for BMW Showcase pop-up in Miami Beach, as well as online at 5 PM CET on www.kith.com.

Munich/Cannes. Glittering movie premieres, stars gracing the red carpet and a high-performance vehicle that looks like nothing else: this is the Cannes Film Festival and yesterday it hosted the world premiere of the BMW XM Mystique Allure. This one-off creation is based on the first high-performance sports car from BMW M GmbH powered by the M HYBRID drive system. Blending progressive luxury with extravagant looks, it is inspired by British supermodel Naomi Campbell, was designed using exclusive materials from the world of haute couture and has a unique soundtrack devised in cooperation with film score composer Hans Zimmer.

The BMW XM Mystique Allure is the latest product of the collaboration between BMW and Naomi Campbell. The partnership took its first steps last year with the “Dare to be You” launch campaign for the BMW XM, which puts the confidence to be yourself and go your own way at centre stage.

The BMW XM Mystique Allure and Naomi Campbell: making a grand entrance at Cannes.

The 77th Cannes Film Festival was the ideal choice of setting for the world premiere of the BMW XM Mystique Allure. Against the stunning backdrop of the French portside resort, Naomi Campbell presented the one-of-a-kind creation inspired by her to an audience of selected guests, before making her way in the car to the red carpet outside the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. “Witnessing BMW's vision for the BMW XM Mystique Allure come to life has been truly incredible,” says Naomi. “I feel deeply honoured to have sparked the inspiration for their first-ever high-fashion show car, which stands as a unique masterpiece in every aspect.”

This is the third year in succession that BMW has stepped up as Official Automotive Partner of the Cannes Film Festival. And it will lay on an exclusive shuttle service of more than 200 vehicles – among them the all-electric BMW i7, BMW iX and BMW i5, and the plug-in-hybrid BMW XM – to give participants and guests at the event the experience of locally emission-free premium mobility.

First BMW designed with high-fashion materials.

The BMW XM Mystique Allure is the first vehicle in the brand’s history to be designed using materials from the high fashion industry. This unusual tie-up showcases the BMW XM in a whole new light: expressive, avant-garde – and stylish and luxurious in equal measure.

Inspired by Naomi’s favourite colour, the vehicle’s exterior boasts a deeply saturated ultramarine shade, accentuated by a lustrous matte finish. A contemporary translation of high-fashion materials from luxury textile manufacturers, the design seamlessly brings the inside to the outside, featuring rich velvet and shimmering Frozen metallic sequins casting hues ranging from intense violet to deep ultramarine.

The iridescent surfaces were created with precise handcraftsmanship and a fine eye for detail. They take their cues from the eye-catching geometric forms of the BMW XM and bring a special visual richness to the car’s extrovert aesthetic. The design of the BMW XM Mystique Allure provides a meeting point for high performance and haute couture, and paints a unique picture of progressive luxury that continues into the interior. All of the surfaces inside the car, including the M Lounge in the rear, are covered in purple velvet.

BMW IconicSounds Electric: exclusive driving sound from the collaboration with Hans Zimmer.

The bold appearance of the BMW XM Mystique Allure is complemented by an acoustic character also very much its own. At its heart is a bespoke adaptation of the BMW IconicSounds Electric developed as part of the collaboration between BMW Group Sound Design and film score composer Hans Zimmer.

The driving track created for the Naomi Campbell-inspired one-off projects the supreme confidence of the car’s exterior design onto the soundscape of locally emission-free driving. In the M HYBRID drive system’s all-electric operating mode, every movement of the accelerator is accompanied by an emotionally engaging sound that authentically represents the car’s outstanding performance and magnetic visual allure.

The BMW XM: the most powerful series-produced model from BMW M GmbH.

The BMW XM is the first model since the legendary BMW M1 to be conceived solely as a standalone high-performance car from BMW M GmbH. It blends dynamic potency with innovative luxury and an enticingly extravagant design composed of muscular proportions and powerful contours. Two-piece split headlight units, Iconic Glow contour lighting for the BMW kidney grille, accent bands along the sides of the car, light-alloy wheels up to 23 inches in size and the vertically stacked and hexagonally formed pairs of exhaust tailpipes integrated into the rear apron ensure the exterior of the XM has an inimitable visual presence.

The BMW XM is also breaking new ground with its M HYBRID system, which has made the XM the first high-performance car from BMW M GmbH to feature an electrified drive system. In BMW XM Label Red form (electric power and petrol consumption – weighted, combined: 33.5 kWh/100 km and 2.0 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions – weighted, combined: 45 g/km (WLTP); fuel consumption with discharged battery: 12.9 l/100 km as per WLTP), the plug-in hybrid model – with its maximum output of 550 kW – is also the most powerful series-produced, road-legal car yet produced by BMW M GmbH.

Images shot in the Western Cape

Munich. BMW is returning to Coachella for the fifth time in 2023, this year celebrating the launch of the new BMW XM Label Red in big-impact style. The company is building on the success of its recently launched “Dare to be you” campaign, in which it asks cultural leaders like supermodel Naomi Campbell, British grime artist Skepta, German rapper Apache 207, New York-based fashion designer Bloody Osiris and professional skateboarder Ishod Wair to express who they really are – with the new BMW XM standing alongside.

Following the kick-off event at Art Basel Miami Beach, BMW is taking the campaign to the next stage with a Coachella spin. An international mix of emerging talents and household names provide the BMW XM with a new creative context. Coachella performers like Charli XCX, Earthgang and Uncle Waffles, plus German rapper du jour Badmomzjay, Grammy Award winner Nija Charles and South Korean choreographer Leejung Lee, will record their initial encounters with the first electrified high-performance model from BMW M GmbH in their own individual style: Dare to be you.

BMW in the spotlight as it helps to shape the zeitgeist.

BMW has a clear mission: to create a platform where cultural pioneers can truly show us what they’re all about. As Stefan Ponikva, Vice President Brand Communication, Brand Experience, says: “Our goal at BMW is to be at the heart of where creative magic happens. We want to enable artists – musicians, designers, actors, storytellers – to express themselves and to interact with our brand and our latest, already widely desired launch: the first-ever BMW XM. Coachella is an excellent platform through which to develop fresh conversations with talented emerging artists as well as established stars.

Spectacular backdrops for incredible pictures.

Photo and video sessions are both on the agenda again in California. And it’s not just the Coachella Festival setting that provides an inspirational location for unique shots. Other locations offering the co-creators a spectacular backdrop include the Invisible House in the Joshua Tree National Park. The building was designed to integrate into the natural landscape so that it almost seems to disappear into the surrounding Mojave Desert. With its extraordinary location, minimalist architecture and mirrored glass completely covering the exterior, the Invisible House is a fascinating sight that sparks creativity and is ideal for staging an emotionally engaging presentation of the new BMW XM.

The expressive design of the BMW XM – with its bold lines, powerful Sports Activity Vehicle proportions and distinctive front-end styling, completed with illuminated BMW Iconic Glow kidney grille – conveys the car’s authoritative character and guarantees the undivided attention of all around, even when stationary. The performance qualities of the latest BMW M model are equally as impressive, if not more so. 

The new BMW XM will be built at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the US along with all other high-performance models from the BMW X segment. The new range-topping BMW XM Label Red will also roll off the production line there from August 2023. Featuring a bespoke version of the new plug-in-hybrid drive system, the BMW XM Label Red will be the most powerful series-produced car in the history of BMW M GmbH.

Munich. More powerful, more exclusive, more extravagant: Just a few months after production of the new BMW XM got underway  (petrol consumption combined: 1.7 – 1.6 l/100 km; electric power consumption combined: 34.5 – 33.0 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 39 – 35 g/km in the WLTP cycle; figures for the NEDC  cycle: – ), BMW M GmbH presents the flagship version of its first-ever high-performance car with an electrified drive system. The BMW XM Label Red (petrol consumption combined: 1.7 – 1.6 l/100 km; electric power consumption combined: 34.5 – 33.0 kWh/100 km; CO2 emissions combined: 39 – 35 g/km in the WLTP cycle; provisional values; figures for the NEDC cycle: – ) brings together an M HYBRID system with extra power and bespoke design accents that showcase its standout performance attributes to unmistakable effect. With a system output of 550 kW (generated by the combination of a V8 combustion engine with up to 430 kW and an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission producing up to 145 kW), the BMW XM Label Red is the most powerful BMW M model ever made. It also tops the power rankings in the Sports Activity Vehicle and Sports Activity Coupé segments.

The BMW XM Label Red responds to the needs and desires of a global target group of individualists – customers with a taste for an extroverted lifestyle and a passion for ultimate performance in a car reaching beyond traditional conventions. Production will begin in August 2023 at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the USA. Scheduled for the same timeframe is an exclusive edition of the range-topping model limited to 500 examples and featuring an exterior paint finish in BMW Individual Frozen Carbon Black metallic.

The BMW XM Label Red will celebrate its world premiere at the Auto Shanghai international motor show in April 2023. China is one of the most important sales regions for the BMW XM Label Red, alongside the USA and the Middle East.

M HYBRID system with top-level and precisely judged performance.

The M HYBRID system in the BMW XM Label Red demonstrates the intoxicating effect of drive system electrification in high-performance models from BMW M GmbH in impressive style. The precisely honed interplay of the electric motor and V8 engine ensures an instantaneous delivery of power that then builds emphatically and continues unabated into the highest reaches of the rev range. This combination of combustion engine and electric motor matches the drive concept of the new BMW M Hybrid V8 endurance racing car, which made a successful debut in the 24 Hours of Daytona race in the North American IMSA series this year and is set to line up in events including the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024.

With a system output increased to 550 kW, the new top-of-the-line model outperforms the standard BMW XM produced since December 2022 by 70 kW. System torque is up by 200 Nm and now peaks at 1,000 Nm. Power is channelled to the road by the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system. In conjunction with a model-specific composition of chassis technology and fast-acting, high-precision powertrain and chassis control, this creates a unique performance experience with dynamism and agility at a whole new level.

V8 engine with cutting-edge M TwinPower Turbo technology and classical high-revving character.

The M HYBRID system of the BMW XM Label Red blends the future-focussed virtues of electrification with the traditional qualities of a high-revving eight-cylinder combustion engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology. The latest generation of the V8 stands out with its extremely rapid power delivery, increased efficiency and minimised emissions. As well as a cross-bank exhaust manifold, it also features a reinforced crankshaft drive, turbocharging with an electrically controlled blow-off valve, upgraded oil supply and optimised oil separation.

In the BMW XM Label Red, the V8 makes an even greater contribution to the system output generated in tandem with the electric motor. It produces its maximum output of 430 kW at 5,600 rpm. Peak torque is 750 Nm – an increase of 100 Nm over the version of the engine in the standard BMW XM – and is on tap across an extremely wide rev band from 1,800 to 5,400 rpm.

With two electronically controlled and continuously adjustable flaps, the sports exhaust system of the BMW XM Label Red provides an emotionally rich accompaniment to the engine’s power delivery with a vibrancy and energy not normally associated with an eight-cylinder unit. The engine sound therefore has a very distinctive quality, as do the two pairs of dual tailpipes, with the individual pipes arranged one above the other.

Instantaneous power delivery: electric motor with innovative pre-gearing stage.

Like the V8 engine, the electric motor of the M HYBRID system also employs innovative technology to deliver a noticeable increase in pulling power. The permanently excited synchronous motor is integrated into the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission together with its power electronics and, in the now-familiar style of electric motors, responds to just slight movements of the accelerator with instantaneous power delivery.

The electric motor contributes up to 145 kW to the maximum system output of the BMW XM Label Red and develops nominal torque of 280 Nm . A pre-gearing stage patented by BMW is used to increase the torque produced by the motor to an effective maximum of 450 Nm at the transmission input for the motor. In this way, the compact motor is able to provide the sort of torque boost that could normally only be achieved using a far larger and heavier unit.

The improved build-up of power resulting from the pre-gearing stage between the electric motor’s rotor and the transmission’s input shaft can be clearly felt, both when accelerating off the line and when putting in a quick burst of speed. Combined with the optimised power delivery of the V8 engine and its high-revving character, this produces performance of rare authority and composure. The BMW XM Label Red needs just 3.8 seconds to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h. Its top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h, but rises to 290 km/h on cars with the M Driver’s Package, which will be standard issue on models sold in South Africa.

As well as providing an electric boost effect under acceleration, the electric motor also performs a supporting role under steady loads, helping to increase the efficiency of the combustion engine. This gives the BMW XM Label Red average petrol consumption of 1.7 – 1.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the WLTP test cycle, combined electric power consumption of 34.5 – 33.0 kWh per 100 kilometres and CO₂ emissions of 39 – 35 grams per kilometre.

Powerful high-voltage battery, BMW IconicSounds Electric, Combined Charging Unit and predictive heat management.

The motor draws its energy from a high-voltage lithium-ion battery integrated into the underbody area, which is a product of fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology. The lithium-ion battery stands out with its high energy density at a cell and battery pack level. It provides a constant flow of power across a wide temperature range and even under the heavy loads brought by a particularly sporty driving style. It has a usable energy content of 25.7 kWh. Together with the electric motor’s excellent efficiency and the system of intelligent energy management, this enables an electric range of 75 – 83 kilometres in the WLTP cycle.

The BMW XM Label Red can therefore complete not only journeys around town but also cross-country routes locally emission-free and almost silently. The top speed achievable in pure electric mode is 140 km/h. The power delivery of the electric motor also gains a soundtrack of its own, in the form of the BMW IconicSounds Electric developed as part of a collaboration between the BMW Group and film score composer Hans Zimmer.

The Combined Charging Unit of the M HYBRID system enables AC charging at up to 7.4 kW. This means the high-voltage battery can be replenished from zero to 100 per cent charge in 4.25 hours. Predictive heat management reduces charging times by judiciously warming or cooling the battery. Supplied as standard are both the Flexible Fast Charger for use with domestic or industrial sockets and the charging cable Professional. This mode 3 cable for topping up at public charging stations can be kept in a suitably stylish and exclusive weekend-type bag and secured in the boot area using a crash-protective carabiner-belt combination.

Supreme traction, captivating performance: M xDrive and M Sport differential.

The M xDrive all-wheel-drive system channels the power generated by the combustion engine and electric motor between all four wheels precisely, quickly and as required at all times. The system has a rear-biased setup, which enhances the agility of the BMW XM Label Red and is particularly pronounced in 4WD Sport mode. When the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system has been fully disengaged, the traction-optimised 4WD Sand mode – conceived specifically for driving over dunes and similar surfaces – can be activated via the M Setup menu.

Building on the work of the M xDrive system is an electronically controlled differential lock in the rear axle, which further enhances traction, agility and directional stability. The M Sport differential brings a need-based and fully variable distribution of drive torque between the left and right rear wheels.

Model-specific chassis tuning, integrated transverse dynamics management.

The most powerful road-legal BMW M car ever made impresses not only with the unique power delivery of its M HYBRID system, but also with the breadth of its driving attributes, which enthral and delight time after time. The BMW XM Label Red rises to every challenge with unshakable poise and assurance, whether demonstrating its manifestly sporty performance credentials, cruising along in leisurely fashion (with zero local emissions if desired), inviting its occupants to relax in comfort on long trips or venturing off road. The car’s sophisticated chassis technology gives it an extraordinary spread of attributes, from dynamism to long-distance comfort, and is adapted to the bespoke performance characteristics of the drive system with the precision for which BMW M models are renowned.

Standard equipment for the BMW XM Label Red includes adaptive M suspension Professional – featuring 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. The M Sport braking system comprises six-piston, fixed-calliper brakes at the front and single-piston, floating-calliper units at the rear. It teams with the latest-generation integrated braking system, which ensures the stopping power generated by recuperation and the friction brake is combined with great precision, and which also presents the driver with two pedal feel settings.

Like the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the M Sport differential, active roll stabilisation and the steering’s control systems, the near-actuator wheel slip limitation tech integrated into the engine management and the Performance Control function are networked with the central transverse dynamics management. The integrated application of all powertrain and chassis systems together with the fine-tuning carried out on varying types of road – from urban driving to country roads and freeways – with the help of BMW M GmbH’s racing expertise has resulted in a well-resolved driving experience in every situation and with every configuration.

Extroverted design with exclusive details.

Stylistically as well as technically, the BMW XM Label Red takes the first model since the legendary BMW M1 to be conceived solely as a high-performance car from BMW M GmbH into even more exclusive territory. The muscular proportions of a dynamic Sports Activity Vehicle converge with an extrovert exterior design featuring large surfaces, clear lines and a front-end look reserved for luxury-class BMW models. And added to the mix here are design accents underscoring the singular character of the BMW XM Label Red as a car focussed on achieving the highest peaks of performance.

The distinguishing features of the performance-maximising XM variant include an accent band in Toronto Red metallic, although a black accent band also can be specified. The use of red also extends to the model badges and the wheel inserts. The BMW XM Label Red is fitted as standard with 22-inch light-alloy wheels for South Africa. The surrounds for the BMW M kidney grille and diffuser elements come in Black high-gloss.

The spectrum of exterior paint shades available for the new model comprises one solid and eight metallic variants. Customers can also choose from more than 50 BMW Individual special paint finishes, including the new BMW Individual Urban Green, BMW Individual Petrol Mica metallic, BMW Individual Anglesey Green metallic and BMW Individual Sepia metallic. The new BMW Individual Visualizer (at https://individual.bmw-m.com/) is available for the first time from the start of orders for the BMW XM Label Red to help customers with the paint selection process. The car is depicted extremely realistically in the paint finish selected by the customer against the backdrop of BMW M Town. Here, it can be viewed from various angles and with the aid of 360-degree video.

The limited-edition variant of the BMW XM Label Red – only 500 examples of which will be released globally – maximises the exclusivity factor with even more expressive styling. Toronto Red metallic for the BMW M kidney grille surround and rear diffuser insert create additional design cues that combine with a body paint finish in BMW Individual Frozen Carbon Black metallic. The contrast of the gloss colour accents against shimmering matt surfaces ensures the exterior of the BMW XM Label Red has a particularly enthralling effect.

A black/red colour scheme also brings a visually appealing and sporting flavour to the interior of the BMW XM Label Red. The distinctive three-dimensional headliner and the trim for the body pillars have black surfaces. Red is used to bring an extra sense of exclusivity to the diamond-shaped upper sections of the backrests and the integrated head restraints of the seats for the driver and front passenger and the outer rear seats. This is complemented by red contrast stitching for the black surfaces of the seats, instrument panel, door trim and centre console, and the likewise red accents for the air vents. Among the other exclusive features of the BMW XM Label Red interior are a red “XM” badge below the control display and an interior trim strip in Carbon Fibre satin effect with red and blue accent threads highlighting this as an M car. Inside the limited-edition variant of the Label Red, customers will find a plaque below the control display reading “1 of 500”.

Sports car cockpit with BMW Curved Display; M Lounge in the rear.

M multifunction seats, knee pads, M-specific content on the BMW Curved Display and the standard BMW head-up display, the signature M gear selector lever and an M-specific control panel on the centre console are the headline features of a sports car-style cockpit optimised to deliver a richly engaging performance experience on board. The M Hybrid button is used to select the desired operating mode for the drive system, while the Setup button provides direct access to the configuration of the powertrain, chassis, steering, braking system and M xDrive, as well as allowing the level of brake energy recuperation to be adjusted. The M leather steering wheel has trim elements in Black Chrome, plus M buttons and gearshift paddles with carbon inlays whose plus and minus symbols are in red. An exclusive special feature of the BMW XM Label Red is the symbol identifying Boost Mode on the left-hand shift paddle.

A generous feeling of space, high-quality materials and extravagant design transform the rear of the BMW XM Label Red into an exclusive M Lounge. Optionally heated backrests that extend well into the sides of the cabin and cushions in Merino leather with red contrast stitching and an “XM” badge offer passengers luxurious levels of comfort. The sculptural headliner is quite unique with its three-dimensional prism structure, photo mount-style border and 100 LED units for illumination. Ambient lighting, four-zone automatic climate control, the Travel & Comfort System, and the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System with 1,475-watt amplifier and four additional speakers in the roof area are all standard features, too.

Advanced driver assistance systems; BMW Live Cockpit Professional as standard.

The BMW XM Label Red offers customers a wide selection of advanced systems for automated driving and parking. Among the technologies fitted as standard is the Driving Assistant, which comprises Front Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning including lane return with steering assistance, the Evasion Assistant, Alertness Assistant and the Speed Limit Info system. The standard Driving Assistant Professional brings Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function together with features such as the Steering and Lane Control Assistant, traffic light recognition, automatic Speed Limit Assist and Active Navigation.

Parking Assistant Plus is also part of standard specification. Alongside, the Reversing Assistant, this system adds Parking View, front and rear Panorama View and 3D View to the repertoire of functions.

The BMW XM Label Red comes as standard with the BMW Live Cockpit Professional, which brings with it the latest generation of the BMW iDrive multi-sensory vehicle experience, here based on an M-specific version of BMW Operating System 8. With the fully digital screen grouping and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, the new BMW iDrive has been deliberately geared towards touch control and gesture control as well as dialogue using natural language.

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional also includes the cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system. The optional BMW Digital Key Plus enables customers to lock and unlock the BMW XM Label Red using their Apple iPhone by means of security-enhanced ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology. Smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, the personalised BMW ID functionality and an eSIM designed for 5G mobile technology are also available for use.

The BMW XM Label Red has been confirmed in South Africa. Further information will be made avaiable closer to market introduction. 

Munich. The launch communication for the new BMW XM, the first high-performance automobile with M HYBRID drive will be launched by BMW together with strong, independent and self-confident creative partners. First and foremost: Naomi Campbell, model, actress, cultural innovator and one of the most influential figures on the international fashion scene over the past four decades. With her as co-creator, the worldwide communication for the market launch of the BMW XM under the motto "Dare to be You" focuses on a new dimension of self-confident presence, expressive lifestyle and assured individuality. The first BMW XM not only makes an extravagant design statement, but is the pioneer of maximum performance with electrified drive at the same time.

"The BMW M slogan 'Dare to be You' immediately appealed to me because it describes exactly the confident attitude that is necessary for progress and positive change," says Naomi Campbell. With her strong sense of aesthetics and design, she will be instrumental in the upcoming projects. As a further highlight of this cooperation, a one-off model of the BMW XM designed by her will be presented in the course of 2023.

A timeless icon and committed champion of social change, Naomi Campbell belongs to that select circle of catwalk stars for whom the term supermodel was invented. To this day, the British-born daughter of Jamaican parents uses her presence at international fashion shows to advocate for more diversity in the fashion business. That is why she is still considered to be a pioneer for the next generation of emerging talents in the creative and fashion scene.

Parallel to her career on the catwalks of haute couture, Naomi Campbell has long been successful as an actress, designer and entrepreneur. In addition, she supports a variety of charities, including the new EMERGE initiative to promote the creative talents of tomorrow, which in 2022 focused in particular on the next generation of cultural talent on the African continent, as well as UNESCO. "Naomi Campbell is a woman who goes her own way unswervingly and has become not only a unique supermodel but also a fascinating personality," says Jens Thiemer, Senior Vice President Customer and Brand BMW. "There are few people who can identify with the motto 'Dare to be You' as strongly as she can."

The BMW XM will imminently debut on global automotive markets to create a sensation with its expressive design and powerfully characterful interior with M Lounge in the rear as well as its stunning performance. BMW M GmbH combines a spectacular vehicle concept with pioneering drive technology with the independently developed Sports Activity Vehicle, available exclusively as a BMW M automobile.

Adapted from endurance racing and used for the first time in a production model, the BMW XM's M HYBRID drive generates a system output of 480 kW. As a special BMW XM Label Red model and with a maximum output of 550 kW, it will even become the most powerful series-production vehicle ever approved for road use in the 50-year history of BMW M GmbH from spring 2023.

On location photos and B-Roll footage International Media Launch Scottsdale, USA.

As BMW M GmbH’s 50th anniversary year and fervent celebrations draw to a close, BMW South Africa plans to keep the party going well into the new year. A tantalising duo of M cars is destined for South Africa in the second quarter of 2023 – and the prices are out!

Following the world premiere of the BMW Concept XM at the end of October 2021 at Art Basel’s Miami Beach show, the arrival of the first-ever high-performance vehicle from BMW with an electrified drive system could not have gone unnoticed.

The BMW XM represents a complete reimagining of the high-performance car segment. It underlines the ability of BMW M GmbH to break with established conventions and push boundaries to offer fans of the brand the ultimate driving experience.

The newly developed M HYBRID drive system comprising a V8 petrol engine and a powerful electric motor, an extravagant design, and the progressive luxuriousness inside the BMW XM come together to create a fresh interpretation of the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) concept for the high-performance segment. It promises to open up that incomparable M feeling to new target groups and markets.

A highlight of the brand’s model offensive in its anniversary year, the BMW XM is also the first standalone BMW M model since the legendary, mid-engined BMW M1.

Similarly, the BMW M2, which enjoyed its world premiere at the 2022 BMW M Fest in South Africa in October, will make its way to this country in 2023, too.

The second generation of the BMW M2 continues the brand’s tradition of sporty models with compact dimensions, first showcased in 1973 with the introduction of the BMW 2002 turbo. The new BMW M2 encapsulates the pure joy of driving with its compact dimensions, six-cylinder in-line engine, manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive.

The global introductions of the new BMW XM and the new BMW M2 will commence in the second quarter of 2023. Indicative pricing for these new vehicles in South Africa (including VAT, and excluding CO2 tax) is:

As its 50th anniversary celebrations continue, BMW M GmbH brings us its first ever high-performance car with electrified drive system. A plug-in hybrid system comprising a V8 petrol engine and an exceptionally powerful electric motor endows the BMW XM (fuel consumption combined: 1.6 – 1.5 l/100 km in the WLTP cycle; electric power consumption combined: 30.1 – 28.9 kWh/100 km in the WLTP cycle; CO2 emissions combined: 36 – 33 g/km in the WLTP cycle) with captivating dynamic prowess. 

The newly developed M HYBRID drive system, an extravagant design and the progressive luxury ambience inside the BMW XM come together to create a fresh interpretation of the Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) concept for the high-performance segment that will open up that inimitable M feeling to new target groups and markets.

The highlight of the brand’s model offensive in its anniversary year, the BMW XM is also the first BMW M original since the BMW M1. Precisely crafted flourishes in the exterior design of the high-performance SAV recall the legendary mid-engined sports car. Production of the BMW XM will get underway at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg in the USA in December 2022 before it arrives at dealers worldwide in spring 2023. The key sales markets will be the USA, China and the Middle East.

M HYBRID drive system for stunning performance and cruising with zero local emissions.

The M HYBRID drive system in the BMW XM delivers an overall output of 480 kW (generated by the combination of the combustion engine with up to 360 kW and the electric drive system with up to 145 kW). It is underpinned by a newly developed, classically high-revving V8 engine with cutting-edge M TwinPower Turbo technology. The 4.4-litre unit features a cross-bank exhaust manifold and an optimised oil separation process.

The eight-cylinder engine is assisted in its task by an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission. The motor’s propulsive power is instantly on tap when pulling away, delivering unhesitating response to every movement of the accelerator. The M HYBRID drive system produces maximum overall torque of 800 Nm (engine with up to 650 Nm combined with electric motor developing up to 280 Nm). A pre-gearing stage increases the electric motor’s effective maximum torque to 450 Nm at the transmission input.

One engine, one electric motor, three operating modes, four driven wheels.

The intelligently managed interplay between engine and motor delivers a well-resolved performance experience worthy of the M badge in all driving situations. It is defined by an immense build-up of power that begins instantaneously and is sustained throughout the rev range. The BMW XM sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds, accompanied by an energy-charged soundtrack of rare emotional appeal for an eight-cylinder unit. This originates from its sports exhaust system featuring electronically controlled, continuously adjustable flaps and hexagonal dual tailpipes arranged one above the other for the first time on a BMW M model.

The M Hybrid button on the centre console is used to select one of three operating modes, including an ELECTRIC setting for cruising with zero local emissions at speeds of up to 140 km/h and over a maximum distance of 82 – 88 km* in the WLTP cycle. This is thanks to the lithium-ion high-voltage battery mounted in the car’s underbody and the 25.7 kWh of usable energy it provides. The Combined Charging Unit in the BMW XM enables AC charging at up to 7.4 kW.

The BMW IconicSounds Electric developed in a collaboration between the BMW Group and film score composer Hans Zimmer also create
a suitable backing track for the electric motor’s power delivery. The
M-specific electric drive sound provides authentic feedback to every movement of the accelerator pedal when driving in the locally emission-free operating mode. And if the Sport or Sport Plus setting is selected while the drive system is operating in HYBRID mode, a boost sound will underline the electrical assistance being provided to the combustion engine.

The power generated by the drive duo is channelled to the road via the all-wheel-drive system M xDrive, whose rear-biased setup is particularly noticeable in 4WD Sport mode. Drivers can also select 4WD Sand mode, which has been conceived specifically for driving over dunes and similar surfaces. Operation of the M Sport differential in the rear axle is also fully variable.

BMW XM LABEL RED: the most powerful BMW M model ever made.

The BMW XM LABEL RED will be added to the model range in Spring 2023. The most powerful road-legal series-produced car in the history of BMW M GmbH will summon up system output of 550 kW (generated by the combination of the combustion engine with up to 430 kW and the electric drive system with up to 145 kW) and maximum system torque of 1,000 Nm (generated by the combination of the combustion engine with up to 750 Nm and the electric drive system with up to 280 Nm; provisional values based on the vehicle’s current stage of development).

Distinctive design as expression of presence and performance.

The exterior design of the BMW XM is a statement of exclusivity, presence and performance. The proportions of a modern SAV, powerful contours, a dynamically stretched silhouette, M-typical design cues, a reworked interpretation of the front-end look created for BMW’s luxury-segment models and a host of distinctive accents give the XM a singularly extrovert aura.

Headlights split into two separate units, a BMW kidney grille with gold-coloured surrounds and continuous contour lighting, as well as large air intakes are the defining features of the front end. Moving round to the side, an accent band in Gold is reminiscent of the black strip running along the body of the BMW M1. Further nods to the past come in the form of the BMW logos engraved into the flat rear window and the eye-catching louvred structure of the sculptural rear lights. Fitted in a 21-inch format as standard with the option of further variants up to 23 inches in size, the M light-alloy wheels also boast a highly distinctive design.

Interior: driver-focused cockpit, luxurious M Lounge in the rear.

The expressive style of the BMW XM’s exterior design continues inside the cabin. The cockpit and front seats are designed entirely around an active driving experience. Standard specification includes M multifunction seats, knee pads and a model-specific M leather steering wheel, along with M-specific graphics including shift lights for the BMW Curved Display and BMW Head-Up Display.

A generous feeling of space, high-quality materials and extravagant design transform the rear of the BMW XM into an exclusive M Lounge. Heated backrests extending well into the sides of the rear compartment and specially designed cushions offer passengers luxurious levels of comfort. The sculptural headliner is quite unique with its three-dimensional prism structure, photo mount-style border and 100 LED units for illumination. There is a choice of four different trims for customising the interior, as well as a new Vintage leather for the upper sections of the instrument panel and door panels. Ambient lighting, four-zone automatic climate control, the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System and the Travel & Comfort System are all standard features too, while the options list includes the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System with 1,500-watt amplifier and four additional speakers in the roof area.

Chassis: widest possible spectrum between dynamism and long-distance comfort.

The unique blend of driving pleasure and well-being served up by the BMW XM cabin is mirrored by the driving experience on offer. Sophisticated chassis systems with M-specific tuning enable the car to offer the widest possible spectrum between signature M dynamism and above-average ride comfort for its segment. Drivers can also customise the vehicle settings via the M Setup menu. The integrated application of all powertrain and chassis systems on varying types of road – from urban driving to country roads to motorways – has resulted in supremely assured, well-resolved handling at all times.

The chassis design comprises a double-wishbone front axle and a five-link rear axle with specially tuned kinematic and elastokinematic properties. The BMW XM comes as standard with adaptive M suspension Professional including electronically controlled dampers and active roll stabilisation with 48V electric motors and Active Roll Control. It is also the first BMW M model to feature Integral Active Steering, also part of standard specification.

Traction, agility and directional stability all benefit from both the near-actuator wheel slip limitation and the networking of all control systems within the integrated transverse dynamics management. The M Sport brakes work in tandem with an integrated braking system that presents the driver with two pedal feel settings. 21-inch M light-alloy wheels are fitted as standard, while there is also the option of 22-inch or 23-inch M light-alloy wheels.

Matchless variety of driver assistance systems.

The BMW XM boasts the largest selection of driver assistance systems offered – either as standard or as an option – for any high-performance vehicle from BMW M GmbH. Standard specification includes the Driving Assistant Professional, which comprises Front Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning including lane return with steering assistance, the Evasion Assistant, Alertness Assistant and Speed Limit Info system. Furthermore, it add Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function with a host of other features, including the Steering and Lane Control Assistant, traffic light recognition and automatic Speed Limit Assist.

Parking Assistant Plus is also included as standard. In addition to the Reversing Assistant this system comprises the functions Parking View, front and rear Panorama View and 3D View.

A bespoke driving experience at the touch of a button.

The control panel on the centre console of the BMW XM features a model-specific array of buttons for personalising the driving experience in a variety of ways. For the first time, this includes the M Hybrid button, which is used to select the desired operating mode for the drive system. 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 button is used to select M Mode. When drivers switch from the default Road setting to Sport, interventions from the driver assistance systems are restricted to just the essential functions required for sporty driving, as is the content shown in the information display. Two individually configured vehicle setups can be stored together with the preferred settings for the M HYBRID system’s operating mode, the engine note, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and the transmission’s shift characteristics, and then called up using the M buttons on the steering wheel.

BMW Live Cockpit Professional and Head-Up Display as standard.

The BMW XM comes as standard with BMW Live Cockpit Professional, which brings with it an M-specific version of the latest-generation multi-sensory vehicle experience BMW iDrive. Based on BMW Operating System 8, it comprises a BMW Curved Display formed by a 12.3-inch information display and a control display with a screen diagonal of 14.9 inches. The new display grouping and the ever-expanding capabilities of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant mean the new BMW iDrive has been deliberately geared towards touch operation and gesture control as well as dialogue using natural language. The iDrive Controller and multifunction buttons on the steering wheel are additionally joined in the standard specification roster by the BMW Head-Up Display and BMW gesture control.

The cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system is another feature of BMW Live Cockpit Professional. The optional BMW Digital Key Plus enables customers to lock and unlock their new BMW XM with their Apple iPhone by means of security-enhanced ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology. And smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, the personalised BMW ID functionality and an eSIM designed for 5G mobile technology are also all available to use in the BMW XM.