[fndrsn]

So they do know how to design attractive cars. I don't know if I feel better or worse knowing this.

It's one thing to have cars that are horrific to look at on reveal and evolve into "it's not good looking but it's bearable now" to just making something that looks great from the jump.

[farishat]

Originally Posted by Mani59

Striking hybrid supercar, based on Vision M Next, was heavily inspired by the legendary M1



BMW designed a radical mid-engined hybrid supercar to succeed the i8 - but never put it into production.

Kept secret for four years but now revealed by BMW head designer Domagoj Dukec on social media, the i16 was a striking electrified supercar that could have been the M performance division's second bespoke model after the M1 supercar.

As it was, says Dukec, "the world changed in 2020" at the onset of the Covid pandemic, and "work on the project unfortunately had to be stopped".

BMW M has since revealed the XM hybrid SUV as its second bespoke product - a dramatically different proposition to the supercar revealed here.

It is a faithful evolution of the Vision M Next concept BMW revealed in 2019, albeit with some subtle revisions aimed at making it road-legal.

Dukec describes the car as having "all the style of a future classic", and notes the influence of the Guigiaro-designed M1 in its angular, cab-forward silhouette, vented rear arches and louvred engine lid.

The i16 was conceived to use the i8's composite structure – no doubt in a bid to cut development costs and thus bolster its viability as a production car – but it is not clear whether it would have used the same plug-hybrid powertrain.

The i8, BMW's first PHEV, paired a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with an electric motor on the front axle for a total output of 356bhp and a 0-62mph time of 4.3 seconds - making it a natural rival to the Porsche 911.

A battery in the transmission tunnel gave an electric range of more than 30 miles in later cars.

It was produced from 2014 to 2020, being discontinued to make way for a new line of bespoke electric BMW models including the iX3, i4 and iX.

The Vision M Next hinted at what an i8 successor could look like, but plans to produce it were shelved over concerns about high R&D costs and low sales potential.

However, M boss Frank van Meel hinted to Autocar in 2022 that the door was not totally shut to the prospect of a new hybrid supercar: "It’s always something we can look at. As car guys, we are always dreaming of making such cars. It doesn’t mean we’ll make them, but we keep exploring those ideas.”

He said the concept's cancellation did not mean BMW was "not thinking of a super-sports car," tellingly adding that he was "always trying to figure out how it would work".





Source: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/n...ssor-never-was

I see a Maserati Granturismo front.

[Mako]

Why in the world did they make the XM instead of putting that same engine/setup mid engine in this thing.

Would have blown away XM sales.

I8 wasn’t powerful enough which is what held it back. Super car looks and near price without the performance.

[Dgjo2022X5MC]

Let’s keep it real. There is zero chance the XM stands the test of time. There would have been near 100% chance that concept car would have. BMW has the F95/6, so the XM is a huge mystery to me. Part bin car (and by parts I mean the ones I have in my car!). Test platform for the hybrid drivetrain? Someone overdid their microdosing?. IDK. Germans are weird. It must have made sense on a spreadsheet.

[IcewaterPete]

Originally Posted by VirtualGuitars

. Is the vehicle misunderstood and was it mismarketed….

There’s the problem. It needs marketing. A boat load of it.

Great stuff never needs marketing.

[Msparta]

Originally Posted by VirtualGuitars

Looks great. To those of you that keep dissing the XM as just the worst vehicle that was ever made…. Have you actually ever driven one?

I have an XM Label and it astonishes me every time I drive it. As hard as this is to believe, it feels like it’s an M5 inside of an X7 chassis. Sure it’s not for everyone, but I urge you to go test drive one before hating on it so harshly. It’s an incredible vehicle.

It does not feel or drive like an SUV. Go test drive one and I think you’ll be surprised.

Agreed, also an XM owner among other M models. It is easy to knock at the XM without actually knowing how it drives and it drives like a beast.

Possibly best SUV period. Why compare it to a slick future M car?

[cncmastr]

OK, so here’s the deal. It’s attractive, but it’s missing a sense of presence and sheer beauty that makes me want to run out sell all of my possessions so that I can buy this car.
It’s definitely not as ugly as their latest products, and I see a lot of design elements that are in the current mainstay design language, but I feel like this could be so much more.

[Hassan1490]

Originally Posted by Bruce322

BMW should fire the people who decided to start the XM development. A mid-engine BMW will generate more sales and boost the brand image much more than the XM.

I Heard BMW only sold like 500 XM last year. Porsche is able to sell about 5000 gt3 per year.

2023 BMW XM sales number: 6750 car.

Unfortunately, BMW has sold more XM in 2023 than the Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Cayenne GT, Mercedes G Class combined.

[Jblack4083]

Originally Posted by Msparta

Agreed, also an XM owner among other M models. It is easy to knock at the XM without actually knowing how it drives and it drives like a beast.

Possibly best SUV period. Why compare it to a slick future M car?

Because most of us wished they dumped the same resources into a real Halo car.

[Msparta]

Originally Posted by Jblack4083

Because most of us wished they dumped the same resources into a real Halo car.

I also agree with that 😂

Fact is currently there is a halo car void @ bmw - hopefully sooner or later they won’t disappoint!

[NickyC]

Good looking car, no way BMW will make it these days.

[Msparta]

Originally Posted by Hassan1490

2023 BMW XM sales number: 6750 car.
Unfortunately, BMW has sold more XM in 2023 than the Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Cayenne GT, Mercedes G Class combined.

Being in Miami - I can tell you that every XM that sits at the South BMW dealer gets sold in a matter of days/weeks.

Those are strong numbers considering such a risky project on paper that at the end those that purchased it don’t seem to regret it and enjoy it.

In my mind they delivered on an edgy different halo suv.

[Dethsupp0rt]

Originally Posted by VirtualGuitars

The 2025 M5, which starts production this July, is bound to be an incredible vehicle with the same powerplant as the XM Label. I can only imagine how that’s going to feel with 738 hp in a 5-Series.

Like a bloated pig, I suspect. Would rather have a 738 hp EV.

[VirtualGuitars]

Originally Posted by Dethsupp0rt

Like a bloated pig, I suspect. Would rather have a 738 hp EV.

I had an iX M60 for almost a year. Not nearly as fun to drive as the XM. Not even close.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Bruce322

BMW should fire the people who decided to start the XM development. A mid-engine BMW will generate more sales and boost the brand image much more than the XM.

I Heard BMW only sold like 500 XM last year. Porsche is able to sell about 5000 gt3 per year.

That’s one hell of a ridiculous correlation.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by thaalrasha

I'm not sure i see any relation between a mid engine super car and a big heavy SUV... Clearly BMW has made a choice that would satisfy the US and Chinese volume market over building a super car that would see much lower sales volume and even more development cost and bespoke parts. That's a sensible board decision and quite a boring one imho... but the goal is to make money .

BMW is a volume company. Your argument/complaint has been present for over twenty years. BMW’s base doesn’t want a supercar.

[BRAKE!]

How come every time BMW designs a halo car, it looks like a 1980s calculator? I understand respecting the past, but they can do better than that…

[buddenfan]

Originally Posted by VirtualGuitars

Looks great. To those of you that keep dissing the XM as just the worst vehicle that was ever made…. Have you actually ever driven one?

I have an XM Label and it astonishes me every time I drive it. As hard as this is to believe, it feels like it’s an M5 inside of an X7 chassis. Sure it’s not for everyone, but I urge you to go test drive one before hating on it so harshly. It’s an incredible vehicle.

It does not feel or drive like an SUV. Go test drive one and I think you’ll be surprised.

That price tho yikes. My X6M comp just as good and for $60k less

[ComingInHot]

Originally Posted by M2Cmtl

Some argue its a complete fail:

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/bes...he%20hundreds.

Shhhh stop talking bad about XMs. The few XM owners on here have a real need to justify why they bought one and constantly try to convince others they are the best BMW ever. Congrats to them though because they definitely can twist any thread topic into a XM is the best debate…that’s a real skill.

But what do I know… I own only inferior BMWs according to them

[Msparta]

Originally Posted by VANOS

How does it perform compared to the X5 M? Have you driven the X5 M? Like i mentioned earlier I have read and heard that it doesn’t perform as good overall.

I own an m6 grand coupe comp pack 2019, have owned 2 prior X6M (2011, 2013)… I have driven a base model X7.

Although I have not driven an X5M I would rate it similar to the X6M with a boxier body. That being said the X6M or the X5M current gen models are very capable gt SUV’s. I almost purchased the 2023 x6M prior to the XM however after spending time behind the wheel of the XM for some time now I would say it is unlike any other M and makes the X7 feel like bus. It is mind boggling how agile and quick the XM is behind its tank like body. Another appeal to me is the luxury and sportiness of the interior that’s unique to the XM which I enjoy a lot. One has to appreciate its looks in person while driving it to understand its capabilities. While at the dealer not long ago I met another XM buyer whom had just turned in his X6M to acquire his XM… been on a few chats and dude has no regrets although the X6M / X5M have no flaws or downsides but when compared to the XM I feel it’s a step up in all aspects.

I would also say the longer I own it the more I feel it makes my M6 feel inferior …

I’m waiting for my M6 replacement … passed on the M8.

[nathanm4]

Can’t wait! 🤩

[Hotflare]

Originally Posted by Bruce322

BMW should fire the people who decided to start the XM development. A mid-engine BMW will generate more sales and boost the brand image much more than the XM.

I Heard BMW only sold like 500 XM last year. Porsche is able to sell about 5000 gt3 per year.

I'm trying to be a part of that gt3 figure too lol