Series Production of BMW XM Begins in Late 2022 at Plant Spartanburg
Dec 09, 2021 01:58PM ● By David Dykes
Photo: The BMW Concept XM at 2021 Art Basel Miami. (Credit – BMW)
By Kevin Dietrich
What could be the most expensive vehicle produced in BMW’s century-plus history will begin production in Spartanburg County next year.
The BMW XM, currently in concept form, will be available only as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and exclusively as an M model.
The newly developed M Hybrid drive system will bring together a V8 engine and a high-performance electric motor to produce 750 horsepower.
BMW officials said it’s too early to discuss sticker price, but some who track the industry are estimating that the XM could cost at least $120,000. Some industry observers expect a higher price.
"The vehicle shown thus far is a concept vehicle. It is too early to discuss full specs and cost," said Phil DiIanni, corporate communications manager for BMW of North America in New Jersey. "More information will be made available closer to the launch date."
"We are very excited to be building the first electrified high-performance model in the BMW M portfolio," said Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing. "Adding the all-new BMW XM will enhance Plant Spartanburg’s electrified models that include the BMW X3 xDrive30e and the BMW X5 xDrive45e."
An exact launch date has not been announced, but production is scheduled to begin late next year, with the car available in early 2023.
The BMW Concept XM was unveiled recently at Art Basel 2021 in Miami Beach and is on display at the company’s BMW Zentrum museum in Greer through Dec. 13.
It’s expected that the production model will look much like the concept.
"Concepts are visions: There are some radical things with the concept that may not be in the series," said Steve Miller, media communications specialist with BMW in South Carolina.
At present, approximately 85-90 percent of the concept car design will be incorporated into the production model, Miller said.
Forbes projects the vehicle will cost more than $120,000. Car and Driver magazine estimated the price at $125,000.
Company officials said the Concept XM brings together a V8 engine and a high-performance electric motor, and is expected to have an all-electric range of up to 30 miles, though the officials note that is a preliminary estimate, not an official EPA value.
The United States will be the most important sales market for the XM, the officials said.
BMW has begun reconfiguring its Spartanburg County plant for XM production. No additional employees will be needed, and the automaker plans to continue producing the X models manufactured at the site, Miller said.
"This vehicle is a vision of what an X model and an M model would look like electrified," Miller said.
By Kevin Dietrich
What could be the most expensive vehicle produced in BMW’s century-plus history will begin production in Spartanburg County next year.
The BMW XM, currently in concept form, will be available only as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and exclusively as an M model.
The newly developed M Hybrid drive system will bring together a V8 engine and a high-performance electric motor to produce 750 horsepower.
BMW officials said it’s too early to discuss sticker price, but some who track the industry are estimating that the XM could cost at least $120,000. Some industry observers expect a higher price.
"The vehicle shown thus far is a concept vehicle. It is too early to discuss full specs and cost," said Phil DiIanni, corporate communications manager for BMW of North America in New Jersey. "More information will be made available closer to the launch date."
"We are very excited to be building the first electrified high-performance model in the BMW M portfolio," said Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing. "Adding the all-new BMW XM will enhance Plant Spartanburg’s electrified models that include the BMW X3 xDrive30e and the BMW X5 xDrive45e."
An exact launch date has not been announced, but production is scheduled to begin late next year, with the car available in early 2023.
The BMW Concept XM was unveiled recently at Art Basel 2021 in Miami Beach and is on display at the company’s BMW Zentrum museum in Greer through Dec. 13.
It’s expected that the production model will look much like the concept.
"Concepts are visions: There are some radical things with the concept that may not be in the series," said Steve Miller, media communications specialist with BMW in South Carolina.
At present, approximately 85-90 percent of the concept car design will be incorporated into the production model, Miller said.
Forbes projects the vehicle will cost more than $120,000. Car and Driver magazine estimated the price at $125,000.
Company officials said the Concept XM brings together a V8 engine and a high-performance electric motor, and is expected to have an all-electric range of up to 30 miles, though the officials note that is a preliminary estimate, not an official EPA value.
The United States will be the most important sales market for the XM, the officials said.
BMW has begun reconfiguring its Spartanburg County plant for XM production. No additional employees will be needed, and the automaker plans to continue producing the X models manufactured at the site, Miller said.
"This vehicle is a vision of what an X model and an M model would look like electrified," Miller said.