BMW celebrates its M series’ 50th anniversary by launching the much-anticipated, electric plug-in hybrid SUV, the BMW XM in Hong Kong
World-renowned car brand, BMW, has always been synonymous with luxury, style, and performance, and the first-ever BMW XM is no exception. This high-performance vehicle is a trailblazer like no other, fusing the exclusive M series lineage with the rugged X series persona. This combination makes perfect for the thrill-seekers and racetrack enthusiasts for which BMW is known.
To celebrate BMW M’s 50th anniversary, the brand has launched a milestone birthday present in the form of the much-anticipated, electric plug-in hybrid SUV: the BMW XM. As the world’s first high-performance vehicle with an electric drivetrain system, the BMW XM is a groundbreaking feat that has set the bar for luxury, style, and performance.
To mark the occasion, BMW hosted the “BMW XM: Break the norm” immersive experience at Asia Standard Tower in Central for nine days straight, from July 1 to 9. The two-story building featured five mysterious zones designed by Ahong Cheung, who has won the Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Art Direction.
The experiential zones were designed to go beyond the limits of imagination and explore vastly different experiences in terms of visual, auditory, tactile, and sensory sensations. This was all done in preparation for the grand debut of BMW M’s first-ever high-performance hybrid masterpiece.
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The event opened with a personally choreographed dance by Cheung, fusing power with aesthetics, history, and trends. The dance movements were projected onto digital screens, combined with surround sound effects, illustrating BMW X’s all-terrain luxurious comfort and BMW M’s exhilarating sporting performance.
The installation featured a sculpted yet powerful silhouette, one of confidence and fearlessness, emphasising uniqueness and presence, creating an avant-garde formula for aesthetics. The BMW XM’s all-new Alcantara surface and 3D prism structure inspired the innovative and dazzling design, which left guests in awe.
The installation also used over 100 LED lights in the cabin to create a myriad of ever-changing atmospheres, using optical design to create a multi-dimensional space of refraction. The changes in light rays signalled the ebb and flow of an atmosphere that oscillated between reality and illusion, for a futuristic stimulation of the senses.
After passing through the four experiential zones, guests were fully immersed in the superlative state of the BMW XM and witnessed an amalgamation of power, luxury, and boldness. This 50th anniversary model captured the spotlight and lived up to the BMW legacy of a powerful engine and an obsession for racing.
Equipped with M Hybrid technology, the first-ever BMW XM boasts a newly developed 4.4-litre BMW V8 M TwinPower Turbo petrol engine as the basis, combined with a 197hp electric motor, creating up to 653hp maximum output and 800Nm peak torque. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes just 4.3 seconds, and it comes with a 25.7 kWh lithium-ion battery, providing up to 88 km range under the new WLTP test cycle.
The BMW XM also boasts a 7.4kW AC charging capacity, providing substantial and flexible support for owners’ daily trips. Adding M Power to such a big SUV is not an easy feat, but the design team has gone to great lengths to achieve the perfect driving experience, thanks to the addition of an Integral Active Steering and Active Stabilisers.
The BMW XM is a groundbreaking feat that has set the bar for luxury, style, and performance, and it will undoubtedly revolutionise the future of high-performance vehicles. It’s a celebration of BMW M’s 50th anniversary and a testament to the brand’s commitment to innovation and excellence.
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