- The 2023 BMW XM Label Red is now listed for exhibition at this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
- Matt Mullins, chief driving instructor at BMW Performance Driving School, set to drive the mighty XM.
- Starting at $185,995, the XM Label Red is a 735 hp plug-in-hybrid SUV slated for sale later this year.
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 2023 is still months away, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get a little excited. The 101st event will take place on June 25, and organizers have released a initial list of 74 entries. While the final list of contenders won’t be finalized until close to the event, one entry in particular caught our attention among an already eye-catching list: the 735-hp BMW XM Label Red.
That’s right. BMW has made initial plans for a more rugged version of its upcoming plug-in-hybrid SUV to exhibit at this year’s Pikes Peak. Matt Mullins will ride for Label Red, marking his first Pikes Peak. Mullins is currently the chief driving instructor at the BMW Performance Driving School. He will wear the number 735, most likely in reference to a Red Label power figure. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like XM will be taking part in the gung-ho time attack—that should be interesting to see.
PHEV for Pikes Peak
Usually, a plug-in-hybrid SUV isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of an exciting hill-climbing vehicle. However, the XM is a machine that is more about performance than its body styling and powertrain might suggest.
The standard XM makes 644 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Those numbers certainly match BMW’s M badge, and it’s not even the strongest version. That title went to the limited-edition Red Label, which has 735 horsepower and 735 pound-feet of torque. That would make it the most powerful BMW when it was produced.
When the regular XM 2023s go on sale this spring, and Red Label follows later this year, the former will start at $159,995 and the latter will start at $185,995.
Early Entry
Some of the XM images that BMW has released have received polarizing reception. Our staff is here Car and Driver are also split on looks, although the majority seem to agree it’s not a pretty thing. On Red Label, the regular model’s gold trim is replaced with red trim. The result resembles a lipstick-on-a-pig situation.
When asked about the decision to bring XM Label Red to Pikes Peak, a BMW spokesperson confirmed that the company had submitted early entry in anticipation of the approaching registration deadline. However, we were also told we haven’t made a final decision on whether or not XM will participate.
