BMW XM Prototype Spotted Again Looking More Production-Ready Than Ever

BMW recently revealed the Concept XM SUV as their first standalone M model since the M1, and the reception has been polarizing to say the least. Regardless, the many prototypes of the vehicle we’ve been seeing keep inching closer to production-readiness with each outing, and the latest one captured by our spy photographers looks to be closest one yet.

By the looks of it, the production version seems to be a bit more palatable than the concept, with more realistic proportions and fewer overly aggressive creases, though that isn’t really saying much.

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This prototype drops a bit more of the body cladding from previous ones, and we can now see more of the design’s key lines, such as the ones defining the sloping shoulder line, muscular rear fenders, and sportier rocker panels. For better or worse, though, the SUV appears to retain almost all of the concept’s controversial features, including the gaping grille, squinting quad headlights, wraparound taillights, and double-stacked hexagonal exhaust tips. This should certainly help it to stand out from the pack upon its eventual release, but we wonder at what cost.

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There aren’t any shots of the interior, but the concept’s cabin looked surprisingly production-ready, more so than almost anything else on the entire vehicle, so it’s likely safe to expect something very similar. The main feature is an extra-wide screen combining the gauge cluster and infotainment system similar to the one found in the iX SUV, which will be running BMW‘s latest version of iDrive. Other highlights include the central grab handle, vertically-mounted hexagonal climate vents, and unique aluminum trim.

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Thankfully, if there’s anything that can be this car’s saving grace, it’s the powertrain. According to BMW’s specs, the concept XM uses a twin-turbocharged V8 paired with a plug-in hybrid system that produces 750 hp (760 PS / 559 kW) and 737 lb-ft (999 Nm) of torque. If the SUV uses the same layout, it would make it the most powerful production M car to date, but it likely won’t come cheap, as pricing is speculated to start at around $150,000 when it eventually gets released.