Unprecedented SUV is scheduled to be launched in 2029 and should replace the current XM, betting on reinforced suspension and performance on uneven terrain
BMW’s high-performance division, traditionally focused on track records, is preparing a change of course towards land. In an interview with the Australian portal CarExpert, the CEO of BMW M, Frank van Meel, revealed that the brand is studying to apply its emblematic seal to a sport utility vehicle focused on extreme off-road, with the challenging Dakar Rally as the main inspiration.
Currently, the Bavarian manufacturer does not have an M model genuinely dedicated to this niche. Although the BMW X5 has all-wheel drive and the ability to run off asphalt, its X5 M variant is strictly calibrated for sporty performance on track and paved roads.
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The executive’s statements give weight to speculation about the development of a new top-of-the-line SUV from BMW, designed to directly rival icons in the segment, such as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The goal would be to face robust competitors such as the Mercedes-AMG G63 and the Land Rover Defender Octa, distancing itself from asphalt-focused luxury super sports cars, such as the Lamborghini Urus and the Aston Martin DBX.
During the interview, van Meel also made a point of clarifying that the coveted CS and CSL nomenclatures will continue to be restricted to low center of gravity models, such as the brand’s traditional coupes and sedans.
The new and robust SUV does not yet have an official name in the automaker’s portfolio, but behind the scenes point out that it could replace the XM itself in the future. Scheduled for launch in 2029 and production concentrated at the Spartanburg plant, in South Carolina (USA), the model should use a monocoque architecture.
The platform would be shared with the next generation X5, but with reinforced suspension and specific electronic features for severe use. The design should inaugurate a more rustic aspect of the Neue Klasse visual language, adopting external protections, greater ground clearance and muddy tires.
