Production BMW XM design uncovered in Japanese patent

What is thought to be the final production-spec design of the upcoming 2023 BMW XM has been discovered on the Japanese intellectual property office’s database.

Despite being filed in mid-April, the design trademark was only just published today and subsequently shared to the iX Forums enthusiast website, along with reference images of the original concept trademark for readers to draw comparisons from.

Doing exactly that, we can see many of the BMW super-SUV concept’s more extreme features have been dialled down somewhat – no doubt to help meet the myriad design rules enforced by the world’s different markets.

The most obvious of these tweaks is the new BMW 7 Series-style headlights that have been tucked deep into the front fascia, so much so they’re basically obscured when not illuminated.

Other changes include a more traditional and sensor-friendly front bumper design, a smaller twin-kidney grille, toned-down tail-lights and a taller rear window.

Very little has changed down the flanks of the XM, save perhaps for the degree of body sculpting (less).

Some of these more reserved touches have already been seen on the camouflaged prototype we drove back in May, but that car was shrouded in line-warping camouflage.

The BMW XM is destined for a global launch in March next year, but it more than likely won’t be too long before the second-ever bespoke BMW M model makes its global debut, although it could be quite some time before we get a steer on local roads.

The Australian market now routinely lags more than six months behind Europe in terms of vehicle launches, so the Lamborghini Urus-battling XM probably is unlikely to become available here for another year or so.

When it arrives, the BMW XM is certain to make a splash Down Under given Australia is one of the world’s biggest BMW M markets and tends to receive most models in their most potent forms.

Speaking of which, the XM will be the most expensive and most powerful BMW to date, sporting an all-new ‘S68’ twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain good for no less than 550kW/1000Nm.

BMW is claiming a 0-100km/h time somewhere in the three-second range and a circa-300km/h top speed, which would also set new benchmarks in its class.

A lesser 480kW/800Nm version will also be available, but its local chances are yet to be confirmed.

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