We drove two versions of the SUV that many of you find aesthetically challenging, so ask us the tough questions, and we’ll give you the unvarnished reality
Just about every single time BMW comes up in the news there’s a consistent theme in the comment section. You lot seem to have a contentious take on the design direction the brand is going in, and the XM is one of the primary offenders. We recently drove two versions of the controversial SUV. What do you want to know about the most powerful series production M vehicle ever made?
To be fair, that designation truly applies only to the XM Label (don’t say red… we’ll come back to it). In this configuration, the XM boasts an impressive 738 hp (550 kW) and 738 lb-ft (997 Nm) of torque. It also offers a near-50-50 weight distribution, a rear-wheel-biased AWD system, and about 30 miles (nearly 50 km) worth of electric range. It’s a very interesting platform within an opinion-splitting package.
Read: Would A $9,900 Discount Convince You To Buy A BMW XM?
advertisement scroll to continue
Photos Stephen Rivers/Carscoops
The non-Label version isn’t a slouch, though. It churns out 644 hp (480 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque. That doesn’t really make it a world-beater by any means but it’s still a very unique and interesting high-performance SUV with a whole lot of personality, even if it’s a personality that isn’t particularly charming. For better or worse, we just had a few days of testing in each.
BMW invited us out to its factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina where we drove the XM and the XM Label. Testing roads consisted of highways, everyday city streets, suburbs, and even some curvy mountain roads. What matters most though is what you want to know about this somewhat wild SUV. There’s no question that it’s almost intentionally aggressive. Beyond that there are no doubt countless questions about the in-depth nature of this vehicle.
About that name and why BMW dropped Red
If you’re wondering why the word ‘Red’ disappeared from the nomenclature, here’s what we know. Rumor has it that someone asked BMW why they named the top-spec model ‘Label Red.’ When they couldn’t provide a satisfactory answer, they decided to scrap the word from the branding. Now, it’s simply known as the ‘Label.’ Since we’ve already answered that question, what else would you like to know about the XM?