(UPDATE) BMW is retiring the common V8-powered XM from Europe as nicely, leaving solely the six-cylinder 50e and the Label.
It’s been nearly a 12 months since rumors started circulating about an early finish for the common XM in the US. BMW has now made it official, saying that its polarizing plug-in hybrid SUV will likely be supplied for the 2026 mannequin 12 months completely because the XM Label. Dropping the 644-horsepower model means consumers should now improve to the stronger 738-hp variant. It’s the corporate’s strongest manufacturing car, edging out the 717-hp M5 by a small margin.
We’ll have to attend a bit longer for pricing particulars, however except the Label is available in cheaper than final 12 months, consumers must spend extra to get into an XM. The usual mannequin beforehand began at $161,425, together with the necessary $1,175 vacation spot and dealing with charges. The warmer Label began at $186,700, greater than $25,000 greater. Hopefully, BMW will slender the worth hole between the 2 variants. In any other case, with a better base worth, the controversial M brute could develop into even tougher to promote.
There’s additionally a 3rd, lesser-known model of the XM, nevertheless it’s not supplied within the U.S. The 50eprimarily bought in Europe, lacks the massive V8 engine. As a substitute of the twin-turbo 4.4-liter S68, it makes use of the smaller 3.0-liter B58 inline-six. Sure, an M automobile with out an M engine. Had BMW introduced this entry-level model to North America, it might need bought extra XMs. In Germany, the 50e is €45,600 cheaper than the eight-cylinder XM and €70,600 lower than the XM Label.
A correct Life Cycle Impulse doesn’t seem like deliberate, and a second technology appears unsure. There have been reviews suggesting that BMW could convert the XM into an electrical car, however for now, this stays speculative. The final time we heard, a couple of 12 months in the past, the mannequin’s future was nonetheless undecided. Reviews point out the first-gen XM will likely be retired on the finish of 2028.
Within the meantime, we’re maintaining a tally of different areas to see whether or not the V8 goes Label-only globally.
