Australia’s well-known Mount Panorama Circuit hosted the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race over the weekend and whereas most eyes had been fastened on the racing motion, the protection automobile used additionally turned loads of heads.

The organizers of the occasion not too long ago inked a multi-year take care of BMW M, which entails utilizing the sub-brand’s automobiles as on-track automobiles. Whereas BMW had the choice to deploy one in every of its smaller and extra agile fashions as the protection automobile, it selected to supply the brand new XM as a substitute. This loopy SUV marks the primary automobile developed completely by the BMW M division for the reason that famed M1 supercar. Whereas it is probably not tailor-made particularly for the observe, it nonetheless boasts ample efficiency capabilities.

Most would agree the XM is among the most outlandish-looking SUVs in the marketplace and the protection automobile model stands out even additional due to a two-tone wrap that begins out matte black on the entrance and fades right into a shade of gold on the rear. It additionally has the compulsory decals denoting it as the protection automobile whereas additionally sporting a big gentle bar on the roof.

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“Our involvement with the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour because the official Security Automobile associate enhances the return of BMW M WRT race workforce to Mount Panorama, underlining BMW’s dedication to motorsport, excessive efficiency automobiles and the worldwide significance of the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour,” BMW Australia common supervisor of selling Alex McLean mentioned on the occasion.

“The brand new BMW XM is a key element of our new partnership and we look ahead to that includes it within the 2024 version of the occasion. In addition to performing its necessary on-track duties, it can additionally act as a luxurious switch automobile, transporting visitors from the bottom of Mount Panorama to the summit and enabling them to get pleasure from a number of views of the motion,” he added.

This model of the XM incorporates a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 underneath the hood that’s supplemented by an electrical motor and an eight-speed computerized transmission driving all 4 wheels. Complete output is 644 hp and 590 lb-ft (799 Nm) of torque. Nonetheless, on condition that it weighs over 6,000 lbs (2,721 kg), driving it round a few of Bathurst’s most well-known corners will need to have been fairly an eye-opening expertise.