Nearly each single time BMW comes up within the information there’s a constant theme within the remark part. You lot appear to have a contentious tackle the design path the model goes in, and the XM is without doubt one of the major offenders. We not too long ago drove two variations of the controversial SUV. What do you wish to learn about essentially the most highly effective collection manufacturing M automobile ever made?

To be truthful, that designation really applies solely to the XM Label (don’t say purple… we’ll come again to it). On this configuration, the XM boasts a powerful 738 hp (550 kW) and 738 lb-ft (997 Nm) of torque. It additionally presents a near-50-50 weight distribution, a rear-wheel-biased AWD system, and about 30 miles (practically 50 km) price of electrical vary. It’s a really fascinating platform inside an opinion-splitting package deal.

Learn: Would A $9,900 Low cost Persuade You To Purchase A BMW XM?

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Images Stephen Rivers/Carscoops

The non-Label model isn’t a slouch, although. It churns out 644 hp (480 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque. That doesn’t actually make it a world-beater by any means but it surely’s nonetheless a really distinctive and fascinating high-performance SUV with a complete lot of persona, even when it’s a persona that isn’t notably charming. For higher or worse, we simply had just a few days of testing in every.

BMW invited us out to its manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina the place we drove the XM and the XM Label. Testing roads consisted of highways, on a regular basis metropolis streets, suburbs, and even some curvy mountain roads. What issues most although is what you wish to learn about this considerably wild SUV. There’s no query that it’s nearly deliberately aggressive. Past that there are little question numerous questions concerning the in-depth nature of this automobile.

About that title and why BMW dropped Purple

In case you’re questioning why the phrase ‘Purple’ disappeared from the nomenclature, right here’s what we all know. Rumor has it that somebody requested BMW why they named the top-spec mannequin ‘Label Purple.’ Once they couldn’t present a passable reply, they determined to scrap the phrase from the branding. Now, it’s merely referred to as the ‘Label.’ Since we’ve already answered that query, what else would you wish to know concerning the XM?

Images Stephen Rivers/Carscoops