At the end of August, BMW chairman Oliver Zipse told CNBC about the company’s plans to unveil “another high-end car” that will be built in Spartanburg, South Carolina in the United States. The reveal day is fast approaching as the peeps from Bavaria will unveil the mysterious model behind closed doors on November 17. The rest of us will have to wait until November 29 for the wraps to come off the new premium vehicle.
The German luxury brand is remaining tight-lipped for the time being regarding its new product, only saying it’ll be a “hybrid-electric” offering that will serve as a “BMW M flagship vehicle.” Considering the car is going to be assembled in Spartanburg, one can’t help but wonder whether it will be another SUV. Why is that? Because that factory is home to the firm’s “X” models, with the X3, X4, X5, and X6 all being assembled there together with their high-performance M derivatives. In addition, the fullsize X7 is being put together there as well.
With BMW clearly stating it will be a range topper, the newcomer will be positioned above all current X models. Interestingly, it is strictly being labeled as an M product, which could mean it’s going to be offered exclusively as a performance vehicle carrying “the most powerful letter in the world.” It is widely believed the model in question will not be called X8 as previously reported, but rather a Citroën-esque XM.
Reports state the hybrid-electric BMW is referring to consists of a new twin-turbo V8 working together with an electric motor to develop well over 700 horsepower. We’ve heard through the grapevine there will be two additional powertrains based around a six-cylinder engine, presumably, a 3.0-liter unit teamed up with an e-motor to develop roughly 650 hp in one of the two lesser configurations of the so-called XM.
Bear in mind we might not see the road-going model on November 29 as BMW could reveal a concept car instead before introducing the production version at some point in 2022.
Source: BMW USA
