Presented here for your consideration is our first official look at the BMW XM Label Red. Set to go on sale next fall, it will be the most powerful production vehicle BMW has ever offered. And it should be pretty clear where the name Red Label came from.
We said this is our first official see, because the Red Label image leaked shortly after the XM 2023 debuted in September. In fact, the vehicle seen in this image shared by BMW M on Instagram looks identical to the one in the leaked photo. The backgrounds are different, but even the license plates are the exact same.
While this social post offers our first official look, there’s still a lot we don’t know about the changes over and above the standard XM. Remember, this car already looks dashing as the first standalone M vehicle since the iconic BMW M1. We know the Red Label will produce 738 horsepower (550 kilowatts) and 738 pound-feet (1,000 Newton-meters) of torque, which is just slightly more than what BMW originally stated in its XM debut announcement. That power comes from a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine paired to a single electric motor, which churns out 644 hp (480 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of rev in standard trim.
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We also know that the Red Label will have a rather distinctive exterior look with red trim around the windows, on the grille and on the wheels. The teaser photo shows a red XM badge on the grille, and the debut announcement also mentions special interior trim. Given that the Red Label gets a big power boost, other mechanical upgrades to the suspension and braking system are certainly possible. Considering the XM weighs just over 6,000 pounds, more braking power isn’t a bad thing.
With one more year before the XM Label Red goes on sale, there’s plenty of time for more teasers and changes to the powertrain. We’ll definitely be keeping an eye on BMW for the latest updates, and you can always check them out Chatting About Cars podcasts for additional automotive content on BMW and more.
