Hardly any other BMW is motorized as powerfully and expensively - and polarizes as much as the new BMW XM.
Munich - The BMW XM is a gift from the car manufacturer to itself on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of BMW M GmbH.
The technical data are impressive, the plug-in hybrid drive achieves a peak output of 653 hp and a maximum torque of 800 Nm.
But the luxury vehicle, which is produced at the BMW plant in Spartanburg and will be available from April this year, has long been the subject of criticism.
When the concept study was presented at the end of 2021, it was described on Twitter as “obscene and vulgar” or branded as a “tank”.
This is not surprising given the engine power, dimensions (length over 5.1 meters, width over 2.2 meters) and weight of almost 2.8 tons.
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The BMX XM costs at least 178,000 euros
© Enes Kucevic Photography/BMW
BMW XM: Munich automaker defends SUV against criticism
BMW has vehemently defended the XM.
One is well aware that the XM would polarize opinions, according to Sven Ritter, who is the project manager responsible for the BMW XM.
Such a project only works with an independent vehicle and a provocative design.
The production car was officially presented recently and test-driven by car testers.
At
Spiegel.de
it is then said that the BMW XM is the "automotive equivalent of the outstretched middle finger".
At
Topgear.com,
the SUV is even referred to as "BMW's Ikarus moment".
The XM tries to be a luxury SUV and an ultimate M car with a hybrid conscience, but fails overall.
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BMW XM: Owner must lie down at least 178,000 euros
On social media, the reaction is twofold.
Comments on BWM's Twitter page praise the XM.
It is called the "best masterpiece" or just "beautiful".
The German comments, on the other hand, are not very flattering.
DerChewie writes: "Fun fact: the #BMW XM with a gross vehicle weight of 3.3 tons weighs more than the average female elephant with 3 tons!" Or "After the Leopard 2, Germany will deliver a whole battalion of BMW XM."
BMW can let the criticism slip away insofar as the Munich carmaker has China and the USA in its sights as the main sales markets for the SUV.
If you want to put the BMW XM in your garage, you have to pay at least 178,000 euros, so the target group is very exclusive.
It is currently unclear whether the car will be a success or whether it will crash like Icarus.
List of rubrics: © Enes Kucevic Photography/BMW
