BMW M reveals most powerful car yet — the 737bhp XM Label Red SUV

BMW has released details of the XM Label Red, a new range-topping version of the BMW M-developed hybrid SUV that now lays claim to being the most powerful car ever offered for sale by the company.

The Label Red model uses an upgrade to the XM’s existing plug-in hybrid powertrain, the first of its kind to power a BMW M-badged car. The layout is carried over, featuring a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre petrol engine under the bonnet, an eight-speed automatic gearbox sending power to all four wheels and a powerful electric motor between them, integrated into the transmission casing.

The peak outputs have been increased to 737bhp and 737lb ft of torque (up from 644bhp and 590lb ft in the standard XM). The V8 alone is responsible for 553lb ft of that, on tap all the way from 1,800rpm to 5,400rpm.

4WD sand mode

BMW quotes a 0-62mph time of just 3.8 seconds for this 2.7-tonne behemoth — some half a second faster than the regular XM — with the top speed as high as 180mph if the car is fitted with the M Driver’s Package.

As in the standard XM, the Label Red is fitted with an arsenal of sophisticated hardware in a bid to help it disguise its weight and drive as an M car should.

The all-wheel drive system is BMW’s rear-biased ‘M xDrive’ that was first used in the M5, featuring an electronically controlled rear differential to help distribute torque to the wheels for optimum traction.

However, the driver of the XM doesn’t have the M5’s rear-wheel-drive-only setting. Instead, they can opt for the 4WD Sand mode — if they’ve turned off the stability control — designed specifically for fast driving over sand dunes.

For ‘customers with a taste for extrovert lifestyle’

That’s in deference to one of the XM’s most important markets, the Middle East, where BMW says it is responding to “the needs and desires of a global target group of individualists — customers with a taste for extrovert lifestyle and a passion for ultimate performance in a car reaching beyond traditional conventions.” Or ‘ludicrously powerful SUVs that look as loud as they sound’ in non-marketing speak.

China and the USA are listed as the other important sales regions for the XM.

To that end, the already rather eye-catching XM has been further ‘enhanced’ to ensure that onlookers know they’re seeing the Label Red. The car’s accent lines down the sides are finished in Toronto Red (or black if that’s a little too lurid for the buyer’s taste), complemented by red badging and inserts for the 21in alloy wheels.

The protruding grille and rear diffuser get high-gloss black surrounds and, if none of the nine standard paint colours are of interest, BMW has 50 special “Individual” finishes to choose from as well — at a cost.

If buyers want even more exclusivity, they can opt for a limited-edition version of the Label Red, as shown in the accompanying images. Only 500 will be made for global sale and they’re distinguished by red for the grille surround and rear diffuser contrasting with ‘BMW Individual Frozen Carbon Black’ paint — a shimmering matte-effect finish.

Red-and-black interior

A red-and-black theme is applied to the interior of all examples of the XM Label Red, with red accents found on the air vents, contrast stitching on the seats and elsewhere. There’s a special carbon fibre inlay with blue and red accent threads, too, while buyers of the limited-edition model get a build-number plaque.

As in the standard XM, the BMW Curved Display dashboard is used, featuring digital instrumentation and a large central touchscreen integrated behind a single curved surface. There are M-specific graphics and menu options of course, with quick access to the driving settings afforded by shortcut buttons surrounding the stubby drive selector on the centre console.

Up to 52 miles without using the engine

One adjustment not yet found on any other BMW M car is the one for the strength of the brake energy regeneration system. This can help keep the 25.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack topped up with charge on the move.

Otherwise, plugged into a 7.4kW AC home-charger, it takes four and a quarter hours to charge the battery from zero to 100 per cent. Officially, the XM can travel on electric power alone for up to 52 miles and at speeds of up to 87mph.

When the XM’s petrol engine is not in use, the car emits a unique sound called “BMW IconicSounds Electric”, developed in conjunction with the famous film score composer Hans Zimmer.

The BMW XM Label Red receives its public world debut at the Shanghai motor show next week and goes on sale in the UK before the end of the year, priced from £170,860 – the standard car costs £148,060.

Related articles

• After reading about the new XM Label Red, you might be interested to see our review of the BMW M3 Touring
• Refreshed BMW X7 revealed with updated styling, revamped interior and mild-hybrid assistance
• Or, check out the best luxury cars to buy

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