Facelift BMW XM range revealed with streamlined solitary model
Introduced two years ago as the M division's powerful product ever, BMW has restructured the controversial XM range by making the previously known Red Label the only variant as part of the SUV's first mid-life overhaul.
New outside
Now known simply as the XM Label, the updates are minor and externally consist of standard 22-inch M light alloy wheels in place of the previous 21-inch wheels, the removal of the red accents, new, optional, 23-inch gloss black M light alloy wheels and a gloss black finish for the kidney grille surround.
ALSO READ: Sci-fi in red as BMW unleashes new 550 kW XM Red Label
A new welcome animation and Frozen Tanzanite Blue colour from the BMW Individual catalogue round the XM's aesthetics off.
Subtle changes inside
Mostly colour and upholstery changes have taken place inside. Image: BMW
Inside, the revisions are even more subtle and limited to a new black Merino leather upholstery option with Coffee Brown detailing, or Silverstone Merino leather with black detailing.
Same powerplant, quicker charging
Up front, BMW has upgraded the 25.7-kWh battery pack to now support AC charging up to 11 kW instead of the previous 7.4 kW.
No uptakes in power have, however, been achieved with the electric motor still developing 145kW/280Nm and the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 430kW/750Nm.
XM now rides on 22-inch alloy wheels as standard instead of the previous 21-inches. Images: BMW
Combined, the XM Label outputs 550kW/1 000Nm that goes to all four wheels via the eight-speed Steptronic that acts as housing for the electric motor.
The claimed all-electric range is 76 km and the top speed once again limited to 250 km/h or 290 km/h with the optional M Driver's Package selected. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h takes 3.8 seconds.
In South Africa soon
Confirmed to make its official public debut at this weekend's 24 Hours of Le Mans, the XM Label has been approved for South Africa, though an official date of reveal hasn't yet been made.
While pricing wasn't disclosed either, the German-market variant will start at €183 400, which amounts to a directly converted R3 767 919.
Locally, pricing for the Red Label currently starts at R3 650 000, thus expect a price increase once sales of the 'new' Label commence.
NOW READ: WATCH: BMW XM perfect for Batman when he commits to parenthood
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald
2 days ago
- The Herald
New Volvo SA boss Locke says brand is here to stay with electrified future
Last year there were 1,257 EVs sold in SA, only 0.24% of the market, as consumers continue to be turned off by their high prices, long charging times and a limited charging network. However, Volvo has done relatively well with its new EX30 electric crossover that was launched in SA in February 2024. It was the brand's best-selling model last year and the country's most popular EV, at 406 units, nearly double that of its closest competitor, the BMW iX3's 221 sales. Volvo SA sold 1,299 new cars in 2023 when its range was primarily made up of ICE models, led by the XC40 mild hybrid that sold 675 units with an average of 108 a month. In 2024 the brand grew to 1,431 sales, averaging 119 units a month, with the EX30 its most popular model ahead of the XC40. However, in 2025 Volvo's local sales have dipped to an average of 75 units a month, and the company has had a challenging time globally with an operating loss and sales falling 9% in the first six months. Håkan Samuelsson, president and CEO of Volvo Cars, said demand remained under pressure from the macroeconomic environment, tariff-related uncertainties and tougher competition. Locally, Locke said the brand has a way to go to recover sales numbers. To incentivise customer adoption of its BEVs, Volvo offers new owners two years of free public charging, a GridCars home wall box and 10GB of Vodacom data per month for three years. The wall box enables faster charging compared to a standard plug, and the 24-month ownership package provides owners with a R12,000 charging voucher linked to a GridCars charge card. Locke intends to further bolster Volvo's local presence with the launch of new models. After the introduction of the EX90 in March and last week's launch of the EX30 Cross Country, other new Volvos on the horizon are the ES90 luxury electric sedan, arriving in the first quarter of 2026, and the electric EX60 midsize SUV in 2026 or 2027. The new EX30 Cross Country, as the name suggests, is an adventure-focused vehicle with a higher ground clearance than the EX30 and a more off-road design. Locke believes owning such a vehicle is becoming more feasible as the DC fast-charging network grows in SA. He said Volvo was committed to its electrification strategy, with hybrids as the holding vehicles until the brand completes its move to EVs. Volvo had planned to have a fully electric range globally by 2030, but due to the slowdown in global EV growth it has revised this to having 90% of its range electrified (either full electrics or plug-in hybrids) by that date, with the other 10% made up of mild hybrids.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
BMW working on new off-road-focused flagship SUV?
In July 2025, CAR Magazine reported that BMW has confirmed its M department is working on a new halo performance car. However, it seems a car of this ilk is not the only BMW in the works, with reports now suggesting the Bavarian brand is working on a new off-road flagship SUV. While there's no official confirmation about this model yet, Autonews has reported that inside sources have said it will be internally known as the G74, likely be based on the next-generation X5's unibody platform (as opposed to the X7's), and debut in 2029. In addition, this publication's sources have suggested the as-of-yet-unconfirmed SUV is expected to employ an internal combustion engine (ICE). Though, a fair bet would be that the latter will likely be supplemented by some electric wizardry. In addition, as it will reportedly be a more off-road-focused offering, it will likely feature an array of mechanical items to lend it improved capability. As a reminder, BMW's current SUV (or SAV, sports activity vehicle, in BMW speak) portfolio comprises a variety of models – ranging from the X1 to the barnstorming XM, the latter of which is expected to be discontinued in 2028 according to reports. Browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag! The post BMW Working on New Off-Road-Focused Flagship SUV? – Report appeared first on CAR Magazine.
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Toyota to introduce three EV models to South Africa in 2026
Toyota plans to introduce three fully-electric models in South Africa in 2026, a senior executive said on Thursday, entering a nascent electric vehicle (EV) market where Chinese rivals such as BYD are already competing with European carmakers. Volvo dominates EV sales in South Africa, followed by BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but Chinese EV makers are starting to flood the market as they seek new markets amid restrictions on exports to the US and Europe. Toyota only sells hybrid EVs in South Africa, but leads with a commanding 67% of the market for hybrids and plug-in hybrids in 2024, with models such as the Corolla Cross. 'We're launching battery EVs at the beginning of 2026, so we will have three new battery EVs,' Toyota South Africa CEO Andrew Kirby told Reuters on the sidelines of a car components conference, without providing further details. 'We do not believe one powertrain is going to dominate in the future. So we'll have internal combustion engines, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery EVs, fuel cell EVs and potentially a carbon neutral internal combustion engine.' Low incomes, high import duties, unreliable power availability and a lack of sufficient charging infrastructure have long hampered manufacturers' efforts to sell EVs in South Africa, whose share of total sales is still low. On Chinese competition, Kirby said while he welcomes competition, 'it's a strategic concern for us and we need to make sure we respond in the right way and as quickly as possible. It's a big challenge'. South Africa's automotive sector 'is at an inflection point', he added, with fairly flat production volumes, a drop in local content and a surge in imported vehicle sales. This has prompted the big local car manufacturers, including Toyota, BMW, Isuzu and Volkswagen, to put together a policy recommendation document sent to the trade and industry minister on how to support and protect the industry, Kirby said. 'We have some taxation structures that are a bit counterproductive and so we've made some fiscally neutral policy proposals,' Kirby said, adding that proposals also include the restructuring of the rebate system. 'We are hoping that in the next six months there will be some short-term interventions that can be announced.'
