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Ignoring the quirky looks, the BMW XM is a true heir of the legendary M1 with serious power, slick handling, a lavish cabin, and plenty of features.

BMW's M Division turns 50 this year and there's no better time than this to launch a product that's crucial for the Bavarian purveyor. After a year of anticipation, numerous spy images, and north-south rumors, the BMW XM has finally succeeded the legendary M1 launched in 1978.

If you can keep the controversial looks aside and look at the brighter sides, you'll notice the XM is a car that BMW lacked all these years. It is the first plug-in hybrid SUV from BMW that has a lot to offer. From power to interior to safety, the XM has checked all the boxes and has done enough to change BMW's lofty M division forever.

The new BMW XM starts with an MSRP of $159,000. Production will start in December this year with deliveries commencing in 2023.

Related: These Are 10 Of The Greatest Cars From BMW’s M Division

BMW is celebrating its M division’s golden jubilee with the launch of the XM, which is the second "True M Car" and the successor of the M1 sold from 1978-1981. The new M Hybrid system consists of a 4.4-liter twin-turbo high-revving V8 engine, which alone produces 489 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, and a high-performance electric motor, capable of producing 197 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque, both of which are bolted to a newly developed eight-speed M Steptronic automatic gearbox.

The M Hybrid unit produces 653 horsepower and 590 foot-pounds of torque when combined, making the XM the most powerful production model to date and a worthy M-Badge bearer. Hence, the XM takes only 4.2 seconds to sprint from 0 to 60 mph. The hybrid unit is equipped with a 25.7 kWh lithium-ion high-performance battery and offers up to 55 miles of all-electric range and has a top speed of 87 mph.

Not only that, BMW has fitted the XM with a new M xDrive all-wheel-drive system. This drivetrain comes with a rear-biased available in 4WD Sport mode and a new 4WD Sand Mode that optimizes performance over dunes or other slippery surfaces.

The XM’s exhaust system is one of its most special attributes. The XM’s exhaust note was developed in collaboration between BMW and film score composer Hans Zimmer. The XM's distinct exhaust note offers a rare emotional attachment and provides authentic feedback every time the driver floors the gas pedal.

BMW M GmbH has prepared the XM to offer a flawless driving experience and sporty driving dynamics. The chassis comes equipped with new M Suspension Professional adaptive suspensions and electronically controlled dampers with active roll control so that XM can make confident sharp maneuvers and stay poised in most critical conditions. The XM is also the first M car to come with Integral Active Steering (previously available to only Alpina vehicles) to offer admirable feedback to the driver and slick driving dynamics.

The XM is the first BMW car to feature an M Hybrid button, offering the highest output and M Sport driving dynamics. Besides, three other modes like hybrid, electric, and eControl are offered as well. The XM features an all-new setup button that lets the driver adjust various settings for curating a personal driving experience.

Related: 5 Fastest Mercedes-Benz AMG Cars (Vs 5 BMW M Cars)

The BMW XM’s cabin is equally extroverted as its fascia, and it offers an impressive dose of luxury and exceptional comfort. The XM boasts a large wheelbase but seats only five passengers, which means the cabin offers plenty of space to increase the comfort quotient. BMW has constructed the XM’s cabin with the best materials on the market.

The cockpit is driver-focused, but it offers loads of features and a deluxe treatment. The cockpit features M multifunction seats, knee pads, and a heated M leather steering wheel. Both the front and back seats offer heating and cooling, as well as specially designed cushions to offer flawless comfort.

BMW offers four different interior trims, and most interior parts come covered with new vintage leather to give a warm and royal feeling. The most attractive feature of the M Lounge is its sculptural headliner. The XM’s headliner looks unique with its 3D prism structure, and it comes with 100 LED lights to provide a 3D look.

BMW equipped the XM’s interior with a massive roster of technology. The cockpit features an all-new curved cluster consisting of a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 14.9-inch high-resolution touchscreen, all of which run on the latest M-styled iDrive8 interface.

The interface also comes with the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, which supports natural language recognition and gesture controls. The interior also offers a head-up display, ambient LED lighting, quad-zone automatic climate control, a Harman Kardon Surround audio system, and various other features. BMW also offers a costlier Bower and Wilkins premium audio system as an option for a richer audio hearing experience.

In addition, the XM’s infotainment system also gets new security and navigation technologies. The optional BMW Digital Key Plus enables buyers to lock and unlock their devices and offers a cloud-based navigation system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with BMW ID functionality and 5G mobile support, are the latest additions.

The new XM is equipped with all the safety technologies you’ve heard about on the market. Standard features include front collision warning, lane departure warning with lane and steering assist, evasion assistant, alertness assistant, and speed limit information system.

In addition, Active Cruise Control with stop & go, steering and lane control, traffic sign recognition, automatic speed limiter, and active navigation are optional. The XM gets the Parking Assistance Plus package, and Panorama and 3D View are standard as well.

Sourav hails from Siliguri, a city very close to the Himalayas in the northern part of West Bengal, India. Anything that has to do with wheels fascinates him. He has a soft spot for Lexus and BMW. He rides a Royal Enfield Thunderbird and is often seen with his group of friends in nearby hill stations. He also loves doing photography and making music. After working with CARHP and CAR INDIGO for more than 15 months, he joined HotCars to continue in automotive writing. He's currently crushing upon the Triumph Tiger 1200.