MUNICH: Some four decades since the M1 became one of the best-known sports cars of the 1970s, BMW's single-lettered subsidiary M is now working on its first original car.
But this time this bit of Bavarian brawn won't be wedge-shaped sports car, but an SUV. The 5.11-metre-long XM is set to be BMW's most powerful off-road vehicle to date and also the most horsepower-packed ride from M.
According to the high-performance manufacturer, the vehicle can reach speeds of up to 270kph and will go on sale in April 2023 and cost upwards of €170,000 at home in Germany.
The engineers at M have also opted for a drive train with plug-in technology — a first for one of their flagship cars.
At its heart is a new, 4.4-litre V8 engine capable of 489hp, supported by a 197 hp electric motor. BMW puts system output at 653hp. If that's not enough, then wait for the version with 748hp, set to follow in late 2023.
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