Leaked Photos Reveal More 2024 BMW XM Flagship SUV Radical Details
BMW may have just accomplished a sportier but clean refresh of the 2023 BMW 3 Series, but the automaker isn’t holding back on the styling of its upcoming all-new 2024 BMW XM flagship SUV, given these new leaked photos of what appears to be a production vehicle. Unlike other M SUVs so far, the XM isn’t directly based on an existing non-performance model, and its wild new design language is meant to distinguish it even further as the pinnacle of the brand’s performance capability.
New photos from an “anonymous” source posted by wilcoblok on Instagram (the post is blocked from being embedded but MotorTrend requested and received permission to include it below) show a partially-covered XM reportedly snapped at an airport. While many elements are covered, including the headlights and wheels, we still get an interesting glimpse at many features. The front view shows off the massive kidney nostrils in a gold satin-edged trim finish, which is similar to the satin-finish trim that shows up on other M-tuned models. The entire exterior features satin trim finishes in these photos, with a weird window trim running down the side of the vehicle fully revealed in the last photo of this set.
From the side, we can get idea of the sheer volume of vehicle this will be, set to slot somewhere in both size and price between the X7 and Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUVs that BMW also produces. It certainly looks like it’ll be the biggest BMW offering in the lineup. The rear-view photo shows a mostly-covered vehicle, but we do see that the quad, angular exhaust pipes and Roundel rear-window decals from the concept have made it to what’s on display here. There’s also a cheeky shot of the interior, but it doesn’t reveal much save for a M model steering wheel.
The XM is one of two flagship models; the other being the seventh-generation all-new BMW 7 Series it introduced last month, which represents the pinnacle of luxury and comfort for the brand. The XM represents the performance-oriented, more aggressive, sporty flagship model. The aesthetic choices on both have proved controversial, to say the least.
We’ve already had a chance to drive an XM prototype model, which you can read more about here. The XM is expected to be offered in at least two powertrain configurations, both utilizing BMW’s S68-generation 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8, which will be paired with an electric motor unit. BMW says the hybrid performance SUV is anticipated to get up to 30 miles of pure electric range from an onboard battery. The model we’ve driven was rated at 644 hp and 590 lb-ft, but the XM Concept featured a powertrain claimed to be capable of up to 750 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, so that’s likely where the two configurations will fall.
We wouldn’t be surprised if the model shown in these photographs at an airport will be the very same XM model used when the vehicle is officially announced. Maybe it’s on its way to a photoshoot, and it got caught snapped early. The XM is due to be revealed in full this September, with sales beginning in March 2023.
