The design of the new BMW XM.

With large, clearly designed surfaces including a small number of short, structure-giving lines, the exterior design of the BMW XM takes its cues from BMW’s modern design language. Innovative character pervades the car’s outward appearance through the model-specific integration of powerful contours, a dynamic silhouette and brawny D-pillars. The result from any angle is an inimitable combination of imposing charisma, sporting potency and the type of robust character for which BMW X models are renowned.

The progressive front-end design developed exclusively for the top-end members of BMW’s model line-up has been given a bespoke reworking for the BMW XM, bringing its supreme presence and remarkable performance equally to the fore. Smooth surfaces and sharp edges bring clarity and confidence to the front end. Alongside the fresh interpretation of the twin headlights and BMW M kidney grille, the large air intakes are also a defining feature of the front end. The sensor and camera systems required for the driver assistance tech are integrated discreetly into the front apron.

The surface design of the powerfully sculpted bonnet also picks up on the contours of the high-rising BMW M kidney grille. Out of this emerges sharply cut flanks, a pair of power domes and a central indent, at the front of which is the BMW logo. In customary M fashion, airflow is channelled precisely as needed to cool the drive system, transmission and brakes. Meanwhile, air curtains located at the outer edges of the front apron steer the air not required for cooling purposes carefully around the wheels to optimise the BMW XM’s aerodynamic properties.

The long bonnet and dynamically stretched passenger cell of the BMW XM form a distinctive two-box design. The heavily raked windscreen and long roofline – which swoops down smoothly as it approaches the rear of the car – clearly emphasise the coupé-like character of the silhouette. Its sporting aura is further accentuated by a side window graphic that tapers markedly towards the rear and the powerful D-pillars. The window graphic is bordered by a gold-coloured accent band. This innovative design feature with historical references brings a boldly distinctive flourish to the sides of the car.

The expansive surfaces of the XM’s flanks are given structure by a number of short character lines. These are boldly presented at their starting points, but quickly fade, imbuing the surface design with additional visual modernity and agility. Borders painted in Black high-gloss along the lower edges of the body and around the wheel arches underscore the considerable ground clearance offered by the BMW XM and its rugged charisma. The M exterior mirrors have a highly distinctive design with aerodynamically optimised contouring. The mirror caps and bases are painted in Black.

Another nod to the BMW M1 can be found at the rear of the second model developed exclusively by BMW M GmbH. There is a notable indent at the rear of the BMW XM’s roof and BMW logos have been engraved into the rear window below the right- and left-hand cant rails. A special laser engraving technique ensures the logos stand out with rich contrast against the dark glass surface. Their arrangement recalls the pair of BMW roundels positioned at the rear end of the legendary mid-engined sports car.

“The heritage elements show the strong connection to our history, but we’ve interpreted everything anew”, says Domagoj Dukec, Head of BMW Design. “There’s the black band on the BMW M1, which splits the vehicle graphically. We’ve used it too, but in a very different way, combined with the window graphics and the front lights. Or the tail pipes, of course in quadruple form. But not round. The double logos from the back of the M1 are lasered onto the rear window of the BMW XM. So we’ve used quotes, but employed them very differently. They’re hints, but not retro, no copies.”