Lianne Dhalla | 12 Dec 2022 06:18 PM
The BMW XM has officially been launched in India with a massive price tag of ₹2.60 crores (ex-showroom). This will become the first standalone M vehicle from the manufacturer since BMW M1 and this performance SUV will be imported to India directly as a CBU with deliveries set to commence from May 2023.
The SUV is powered by an M Hybrid powertrain packing on a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 mated to an electric motor which is capable of producing a combined power output of 653hp and 800 Nm of torque. The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
In terms of capability, the BMW XM can go 0-100 km/hr in 4.3 seconds with a top speed of 250 km/hr (extendable to 270 km/hr with M Driver’s Package). In terms of the battery, you get a high voltage 25.7 kW lithium-ion battery capable of supporting a pure electric range of 88 km.
Where it gets interesting for us here at the HQ is the interior. BMW ConnectedDrive technology that practically turns the car into an interconnected digital device. Offering a host of connected drive features including Digital Key Plus, Emergency Call, Real-time Traffic Information, and Remote Services through MyBMW app. The BMW Live Cockpit Professional brings a freestanding 14.9in Curved Display with Navigation with real-time traffic stats, featuring an augmented view to keep you clued in. There is an additional 12.3in digital information display behind the steering wheel which also brings the BMW Head-up Display.
With all the bells and whistles, this latest BMW iDrive packs in the Operating System 8 which offer all the possibilities for interaction between occupants and the vehicle, be it touch, gesture or speech. Oh, and it comes with the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. This is a self-learning intelligence that adapts to the driver’s individual habits to proactively provide useful advice and information on new driving functions all while seamlessly integrating with smartphone apps. Like all software, this will see regular remote software upgrades to ensure that the car is always up to date. And a luxury car these days is incomplete without a smartphone holder integrated into the centre console which allows for inductive, Wireless Charging.
The BMW App itself keeps an eye on vehicle status and brings ‘Learning Navigation’ which offers destination suggestions and traffic information based on driving habits. The Digital Key Plus enables you to turn your smartphone into a vehicle key to allow for remote locking/unlocking and starting the car. Since you are going to be spending a couple of crores on this one, the car has every imaginable sensor and assistant to help keep you safe. From the parking Assistant, Reversing Assistant, six airbags, Attentiveness Assistance, ABS with Brake Assist, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC) to Auto Start-Stop, Brake-Energy Regeneration and Electronic Power Steering features. So you can rest easy and bask in the luxury.