LOS ANGELES — BMW is increasing its utility automobile lineup with the primary standalone automobile from its M efficiency model for the reason that BMW M1 launched 5 many years in the past.

The BMW Idea XM, revealed at a press occasion right here this month, is a preview of essentially the most highly effective M automobile in its lineup, the automaker mentioned.

The series-production model of the XM will launch late subsequent yr, assembled at BMW’s U.S. manufacturing unit in South Carolina.

Franciscus van Meel, CEO of the M model for BMW, described the XM as “a pinnacle of expressive luxurious.”

He famous the brand new mannequin’s goal buyer as being “extroverted” and “non-conformist.”

“We’re actually addressing goal teams that we did not tackle inside BMW and M,” van Meel mentioned.

The brand new mannequin shall be supplied worldwide, however the U.S. would be the single-biggest market, BMW mentioned.

Like its Mercedes-Benz rival AMG, BMW’s M subbrand holds a excessive stage of status within the market, and having a standalone mannequin retains it in that unique strata, mentioned Sam Fiorani, vice chairman at AutoForecast Options.

“This new mannequin will pull up the opposite M editions, as patrons see them as extra aspirational than simply merely a trim stage on in any other case widespread fashions,” Fiorani mentioned.

The XM shall be obtainable solely as a plug-in hybrid, utilizing the automaker’s newly developed M Hybrid drive system, mating a V8 engine and a high-performance electrical motor to generate as much as 750 hp. The automobile could have an estimated all-electric vary of as much as 30 miles.

With tightening emissions rules, high-powered fashions might want to have some kind of hybridization to remain clear, Fiorani mentioned.

“Including the plug-in choice provides drivers the flexibility to journey with no tailpipe emissions, and never including to the automaker’s already excessive CO2 rely,” he mentioned.

Combining a V8 engine with an electrical motor additionally delivers most efficiency.

“You’ve got the punch of the EV engine, which is the utmost torque from a standstill, mixed with the V8 engine, which is sort of responsive,” van Meel mentioned. “That is the perfect of two worlds and is a pleasant mixture for a high-performance automotive as a result of it provides you efficiency underneath all circumstances.”

BMW’s choice to launch the XM as a plug-in hybrid, as an alternative of as a battery-only mannequin was about pragmatism.

Insufficient charging infrastructure in lots of markets nonetheless limits the adoption of full-electric automobiles, van Meel mentioned. He mentioned BMW obtained buyer suggestions saying, “Please do not go fully electrical as a result of we’re lacking out on infrastructure.”

Whereas a lot of the trade is transferring on from combustion engines, the BMW M efficiency subbrand nonetheless sees a enterprise case to maintain high-octane engines round.

“We nonetheless have a giant demand for V8 engines,” van Meel mentioned. “We do not need to shut that off on brief discover.”

The design of the coupe-like Idea XM, which is greater than 90 p.c just like the approaching manufacturing model, heralds a brand new entrance finish — a model of which shall be seen for the primary time in 2022 as a part of a BMW mannequin offensive.

The headlights have been break up into two modules, with the daytime driving gentle situated within the slim higher module. The low-beam and high-beam headlights shall be within the decrease module, mounted behind tinted glass.

The massive kidney-shaped grille sits between the headlights and tapers towards the outer edges, producing a near-octagonal define. M-style double bars throughout the grille add to the notion of width.

Contour lighting units off the grille to make the daytime driving lights recognizable.

The brand new XM brand within the kidney grille and the big air intakes are a visible reminder of the V8 underneath the hood.

From the rear, the XM idea seems low and sporty. Slim L-shaped hind lights prolong nearly the width of the automobile. The lights are fully black when not lively, and reveal a uniform beam of crimson when switched on.

Dominating the rear apron are the attribute twin tailpipes of BMW M fashions, this time in a vertical association.

“This enabled us to go wider with the rear diffuser in order that we might enhance our aerodynamics,” van Meel mentioned.

In homage to the M1, the rear window options twin laser-etched BMW roundels.

BMW will dial up the M’s luxurious quotient with the XM.

“The suggestions from our prospects is that they actually love our automobiles,” van Meel mentioned. “However sooner or later, they might want to have additionally extra luxurious of their automobiles.”

The Idea XM options “lounge-like” rear bench seats, black-tinted rear aspect home windows for privateness and deep pile carpeting.

The visible spotlight of the cabin is the headliner with its three-dimensional prism construction. A mixture of oblique and direct lighting produces a relief-like construction. The ambient lighting might be activated within the three BMW M colours.