Introduced last year, the BMW XM might not be the prettiest SUV money can buy but its plug-in-hybrid powertrain has enough oomph to make the tank-of-a-machine surprisingly quick. However, the Bavarian automaker thought the XM’s 644 horsepower was not enough for buyers looking for more performance out of the massive SUV. This resulted in the creation of a more potent version of the XM. Introducing the 2024 BMW XM Label Red, the most powerful roadgoing automobile ever created by the German manufacturer. Slated to make its public debut next week at the Auto Shanghai 2023 in China, the XM Label Red is unlike any M car before. Not only is it the first BMW to breach the 700 hp figure, but the souped-up XM is also the first car by the Bavarian manufacturer to adopt the colored-label naming structure.
The highlight of the XM Label Red is its beefed-up plug-in-hybrid powertrain. The electrical system of the powertrain is identical to the regular XM, which includes a 19.2-kWh lithium-ion battery pack under the floor and an electric motor sandwiched between the engine and the eight-speed automatic transmission. It is still good for 30 miles of range and offers an electric top speed of 87 mph. On the other hand, BMW has massaged the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 to produce more power.
The Label Red has 738 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque on tap, which equates to an increase of 94 horsepower and 148 pound-feet over the standard XM. As a result, the XM Label Red can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds compared to the standard’s 4.1 seconds. Its top speed is limited to 155 mph, but it can be bumped to 175 mph with the optional M Driver’s package.
To set it apart from the regular XM, BMW has given Label Red some special touches, which include Toronto Red accents and special badges. The bright red color appears on the mighty kidney grille along with the stripe encircling the side windows, the gigantic 23-inch rims, and even the brake calipers. Other than that, the alien-ship design of the XM remains unchanged. In addition to the standard Brooklyn Grey metallic exterior paint, the mightier XM will be offered with over 50 Individual paints at no extra charge, some of them unique to the model. Furthermore, BMW says a “small number” of units will be sold with this Frozen Carbon Black matte exterior paint.
The red and black theme is carried over inside the cabin, including two-tone leather upholstery. In addition to red contrast stitching, the interior features red accents on the air vents, red and black pillows, a “1/500” inscription denoting the model’s limited availability, a carbon fiber trim with red and blue-accented threads that celebrate M’s famous colors. BMW has said that the XM Label Red’s production will begin in August at its plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina plant. The pricing is yet to be announced, but we expect it to be close to the $200,000 mark.
