NEW YORK: BMW has set a new record for hybrid electric SUVs with its first-ever BMW XM Label, which boasts 738hp and 1,000Nm of torque.
The vehicle achieved this feat during a certified course run at Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs on Sept 21.
BMW driver Matt Mullins completed the course in 10 minutes and 48.60 seconds, beating the previous race day record by nearly a second and a half.
Mullins was supported by Rhys Millen Racing and a camera crew documented the team's journey, resulting in a two-part short film that showcased the challenges and triumphs of the endeavour.
The Pikes Peak run is known for its difficulty, with over 150 turns and elevations ranging from 9,390 feet to the 14,115-foot summit.
The race has a long history in motorsport, dating back to 1916.
The XM Label (sold as XM Label Red in Malaysia) features a striking design and a high-performance pedigree.
It is equipped with a 738-horsepower hybrid electric drivetrain derived from BMW's newest endurance racing car, the BMW M Hybrid V8.
The vehicle combines a turbocharged 8-cylinder internal combustion engine with an electric motor, delivering rapid acceleration, increased efficiency, and minimised emissions.
The cabin of the XM Label is luxurious and performance-oriented, with diamond quilted BMW Individual Vintage Merino leather seats and a three-dimensional sculptural prism headliner containing 100 separate LED lights.
Mullins, a professional driver with over two decades of experience, serves as BMW's chief driving instructor at the BMW Performance Centre in South Carolina.
He has a track record of helping BMW make history, including being part of the team that set a pair of Guinness Records in 2018 for the world's longest drift and seamless mid-drift refuelling.
