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BMW's design direction as of late isn't sitting well with many, but nothing else holds a candle to the radical design of the XM. As the flagship of both the SUV and M performance lineups, its sole purpose is to make a statement––and with those inflated kidney grilles and split headlights, it's a rather controversial one. While the 644 horsepower pushed out by the hybrid-assisted, twin-turbo V8 is sort of a saving grace, a lot of criticism has been drawn from both its styling and its rather clumsy driving manners. With all of that being said, it comes as no surprise to hear from Automotive News that the performance SUV won't be with us forever.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, the XM is here to stay for now. A potential successor was theoretically supposed to hit dealers around 2028 or 2029, though with automakers usually thinking far ahead on their product portfolios, BMW is already considering what it wants to do with its flagship SUV. And that's nothing––once its time is up, there will be no successor in line to replace it.
Again, the final model year for the XM is still quite far off. With production allegedly coming to an end at BMW's Spartanburg, South Carolina factory in November 2028, the flagship crossover won't be leaving the lineup until somewhere near the 2029 model year. The automaker originally had plans to launch a second-generation model in late 2028 with a fully-electric powertrain, but the project, codenamed G79, was later sent to the chopping block.
While it makes sense that a niche model like the XM won't be returning for a second generation, especially since the V8 hybrid powertrain it introduced is now available on the new M5 sedan as well, BMW would rather you not think about the model's future. In statements to curious media outlets, the automaker essentially denied the reports that the XM's time here is short-lived. This has come alongside the automaker's firm rebuttal against a future 6-Series.
Here's what BMW said, according to Road and Track: "While as a matter of policy BMW does not comment on third-party speculation regarding future product development, given the attention recent stories have received, we feel it necessary to clarify that [...] BMW has made no official statement on the future of a successor to the BMW XM."
With a new BMW M5 on the way and a focus on expanding its electrified reach, BMW isn't stagnating in the 21st Century, instead choosing to grow with it. While the end of XM production will be met with mixed reactions, a streamlined, new set of performance-oriented coupes and sedans — electrified or not — could be true to the BMW we've known and loved.
Image Credits: BMW
Report
Jul 5, 2024
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BMW Doesn't Plan To Build A Next-Gen XM, Though It Wants You To Believe It Will
While there is reportedly no successor planned, BMW won't confirm anything right now.
BMW's design direction as of late isn't sitting well with many, but nothing else holds a candle to the radical design of the XM. As the flagship of both the SUV and M performance lineups, its sole purpose is to make a statement––and with those inflated kidney grilles and split headlights, it's a rather controversial one. While the 644 horsepower pushed out by the hybrid-assisted, twin-turbo V8 is sort of a saving grace, a lot of criticism has been drawn from both its styling and its rather clumsy driving manners. With all of that being said, it comes as no surprise to hear from Automotive News that the performance SUV won't be with us forever.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, the XM is here to stay for now. A potential successor was theoretically supposed to hit dealers around 2028 or 2029, though with automakers usually thinking far ahead on their product portfolios, BMW is already considering what it wants to do with its flagship SUV. And that's nothing––once its time is up, there will be no successor in line to replace it.
Again, the final model year for the XM is still quite far off. With production allegedly coming to an end at BMW's Spartanburg, South Carolina factory in November 2028, the flagship crossover won't be leaving the lineup until somewhere near the 2029 model year. The automaker originally had plans to launch a second-generation model in late 2028 with a fully-electric powertrain, but the project, codenamed G79, was later sent to the chopping block.
While it makes sense that a niche model like the XM won't be returning for a second generation, especially since the V8 hybrid powertrain it introduced is now available on the new M5 sedan as well, BMW would rather you not think about the model's future. In statements to curious media outlets, the automaker essentially denied the reports that the XM's time here is short-lived. This has come alongside the automaker's firm rebuttal against a future 6-Series.
Here's what BMW said, according to Road and Track: "While as a matter of policy BMW does not comment on third-party speculation regarding future product development, given the attention recent stories have received, we feel it necessary to clarify that [...] BMW has made no official statement on the future of a successor to the BMW XM."
With a new BMW M5 on the way and a focus on expanding its electrified reach, BMW isn't stagnating in the 21st Century, instead choosing to grow with it. While the end of XM production will be met with mixed reactions, a streamlined, new set of performance-oriented coupes and sedans — electrified or not — could be true to the BMW we've known and loved.
Image Credits: BMW
