The BMW XM Is a Radically Unique Super SUV

BMW's M division has been responsible for a dozen beloved sports cars built around cars the company had otherwise sold in other forms, but it has on just one other occasion built its own car. That was the M1, the stellar supercar that announced to the world what exactly the ambitious new performance-focused imprint could do. That changes today, with an SUV design so unique that it is just as shocking in its final form as it was as a concept first shown last November.

This is the production BMW XM, the M brand's second-ever dedicated car and first in 45 years. It is, of course, also the imprint's first-ever dedicated SUV.

While the looks are toned down in comparison to the concept, the design is still unmistakable. An enormous pair of kidney grilles and narrow two-part headlights with DRLs and turn signals separated from the main beams lower in the bumper resemble new company design language already seen on the new 7-Series, but they take a more aggressive form here that reflects the M brand's recent commitment to sharp angles.

On the car's side, a well-defined interpretation of the brand's Hofmeister kink is outlined by a piece of trim that extends beyond the final window and stretches across the doors. On the concept, this band was shown only in a semi-gloss black. Now, it will be available in both black and an optional "NightGold Metallic" that matches accents along the outer border of the kidney grilles built into the same package.

In a nod to the M1 already seen on the concept, the XM's roof features a center indent between two rails that leads to a rear window with two raised corners. In each, a laser-engraved BMW logo can be seen.