The XM doesn't do justice to BMW's M Division. First, it's the performance-oriented sub-brand's second standalone product after the iconic M1. Second, it is one of the company's least desirable models ever made visually.
However, that doesn't mean it's not on the jet set's radar, and since some owners want their XMs to look a bit different, several tuners have released multiple add-ons for it. Larte Design has been modifying BMW's XM for a good while now, and their latest proposal is putting lipstick on a pig.
Mind you, the red accents came straight from BMW, and they're a signature trait of the Label Red version of the XM. We can see them on the outer edges of the kidney grille, on the front splitter, around the windows, on the doors, on the front and rear quarter panels, and the diffuser. The same color can also be seen on the 23-inch aftermarket alloys next to a darker shade.
This tuned crossover also has new trim on the wheel arches, a fat chin spoiler, a more aggressive hood, a roof-mounted wing, a tailgate spoiler, a rear diffuser with integrated brake lights and cutouts for the stacked quad exhaust tips, and additional inserts here and there. Larte Design says the 16 custom parts were made of carbon fiber.
Photo: Instagram | lartedesign
A look inside would've been nice. However, we think the cockpit has remained stock, as the tuner hasn't revealed it in the images released on its Instagram account a few days ago. There is a small chance that we could be wrong, and this BMW XM could sport a few novelties in the cabin, too, so if you're aware of pictures revealing its interior, feel free to share them in the comments section below.
We already told you that this is the XM Label Red, and that means it uses a familiar 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine and a single electric motor. The model's combined output is 738 horsepower (748 ps/550 kW), and it puts 737 pound-foot (1,000 Nm) of torque under the driver's right foot. The 0-60 mph (0-97 kph) takes 3.7 seconds, and it tops out at 180 mph (290 kph) with the optional M Driver’s Pack or 155 mph (250 kph) without it.
The X5 M and X6 M are one-tenth of a second slower to sixty, and they're less punchy than the XM Label Red. Their twin-turbo V8 engines produce 617 horsepower (626 ps/460 kW) and 553 pound-foot (750 Nm) of torque. Thus, if we had to choose between BMW's punchy crossovers, we know what we'd get, and that would be the X5 M, one of the best-looking ones in the segment. But what fast high-rider would you buy on a similar budget?
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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