[UPDATE] BMW also withdraws the regular V8-XM from Europe and only leaves the 50e six-cylinder and the label.
It was almost a year since rumors for the regular XM in the United States have brought about an early end. BMW has now officially made it and announced that the polarizing plug-in hybrid SUV is only offered as an XM label for the 2026 model year. If you drop the 644 hp version, the buyers must now upgrade to the stronger 738 hp variant. It is the company’s most powerful production vehicle that brings out the 717 hp-M5 with a small lead.
We have to wait a little longer for price details, but if the label is not cheaper than last year, buyers have to spend more to get to an XM. The standard model previously started at 161,425 US dollars, including the mandatory provisions worth $ 1,175 and handling fees. The hotter label started at $ 186,700 and more than 25,000 US dollars. Hopefully BMW will narrow down the price gap between the two variants. Otherwise, with a higher basic price, the controversial M -Brute can be even more difficult to sell.
There is also a third, less well -known version of the XM, but it is not offered in the USA. The 50e, mainly sold in Europe, lacks the large V8 engine. Instead of the 4.4-liter twin turbo-S68, it uses the smaller 3.0-liter B58-inline-Six. Yes, an M car without a M -Motor. If BMW had brought this entry version to North America, it might have sold more XMS. In Germany, the 50e € 45,600 is cheaper than the eight-cylinder XM and € 70,600 less than the XM label.
A real life cycle impulse does not seem to be planned, and a second generation seems to be uncertain. There were reports that indicate that BMW can convert the XM into an electric vehicle, but for now this remains speculative. The last time we heard about a year ago, the future of the model was still undecided. According to reports, the first generation XM will retire at the end of 2028.
In the meantime, we keep an eye on other regions to determine whether the V8 is only provided with the label worldwide.
