BMW XM gets tested under Dubai’s proving grounds

The electric powertrain gets put through extreme weather conditions trials

BMW put the world on notice when it previewed the XM Concept in November 2021. It rapidly gained a reputation as it was only the second car, after the M1 supercar from the 90s, made entirely by BMW’s M performance division. And to ensure the XM lives up to that reputation, BMW puts the production-spec XM to the test in extreme conditions that extend to the demanding climate of the Middle East.

The hot weather and a mixture of high-altitude terrains in the Middle East served as the perfect test bed for the German carmaker to test its first M hybrid drive system. The XM will be powered by a newly developed V8 petrol engine combined with an electric motor to put out a combined output of 750hp. BMW believes the terrain and summer temperatures of the Middle East are ideal for testing and safeguarding all components of the electric drive system.

Dr Hamid Haqparwar, Managing Director at BMW Group Middle East, said: “A demanding hot-climate test of the BMW XM has been successfully completed in our region, where a team of development engineers verified the BMW XM’s performance when being exposed to high temperatures, unpaved roads, dust and differences in altitude. As an electrified high-performance luxury vehicle unlike anything we have ever seen before, the BMW XM is truly made for the Middle East. As we continue to celebrate 50 years of M this year, preparing for the arrival of the BMW XM is something we are extremely excited for.”

The BMW XM, a full-sized luxury performance-centric crossover, will be produced at BMW’s manufacturing plant near South Carolina. Production is set to commence by late 2022. 

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