Special Projects

Bmw and Alcantara: unprecedented customisation for the XM suv

The veils are removed on the one-off SUV that elevates car customisation to unprecedented levels

10 July 2024

Bmw XM by Alcantara: una Bmw come non l’avete mai vista

3' min read

Sky is the limit. This is the name of the creative project born from the collaboration between Bmw Italia and Albcantara, resulting in the one-off Bmw XM made with extensive use of alcantara material.

XM: exclusive exterior customisation

The limit to customisation and creativity is really invisible, up to the sky. And there is plenty of creativity to go around in this project. Based on the first BMW M high-performance sports car powered by an M Hybrid engine, the creative project of the Alcantara style centre is inspired by the dualism of values between dynamism and exclusivity and the luxury of the environment, realised by playing on the black/white contrast of the exclusive Made in Italy material.

Extensive use is made of Alcantara material for the interior but also for the exterior; in fact, all exterior and interior surfaces of the car, including the M Lounge at the rear, are covered in Alcantara.

The use of Alcantara for the car's exterior is unusual and is made of BMW black Alcantara, which gives a matt effect that contrasts with the glossy black inserts. The surfaces have been covered with precise craftsmanship and an eye for detail.

Bmw XM: two-tone interior between front and rear row

The interior interprets and enhances the dualism of the Bmw XM. The cockpit at the front is upholstered in black Alcantara that covers the seats and the left door panel, which expresses the dynamism and sportiness typical of the brand with a very enveloping cockpit effect.
Sporty styling details are the embroidered cross stitching in the red, blue and light blue colours of Bmw's M trim and the black Alcantara upholstery with stitching in the same colour as the steering wheel and gear knob on which the M logo is embossed.
The seats of the rear passengers, on the other hand, are in ice-white Alcantara to create a luxurious and exclusive ambience reminiscent of an elegant living room. For the maximum comfort of the guests on the rear sofa, two small additional cushions have been created. The roof pavilion is also in ice-white Alcantara with a digital print with a faded effect.
The door panels, dashboard, centre tunnel, seats and cushions feature a new and exclusive workmanship with a pattern obtained by laser drilling and blue backing with an iridescent effect from light blue to blue that contrasts with the black colour of the Alcantara.

XM: le foto della versione inedita targata Bmw-Alcantara
Photogallery19 foto

Bmw XM: up to 653 hp of power

The BMW XM is the first model since the legendary BMW M1 to be conceived exclusively as a BMW M high-performance car. With its bold forms, extremely comfortable interior and advanced plug-in hybrid drive system, the XM represents the optimum combination of luxury, high performance and electrification. Add to the mix the adaptive M Professional set-up and the intelligent M xDrive all-wheel drive system with M Sport differential (both standard) and the BMW XM offers powerful dynamics and exhilarating 0 to 100 km/h acceleration figures.
Split light clusters, Iconic Glow contour lighting for the BMW double kidney, accentuated stripes along the sides of the car, light-alloy wheels up to 23 inches in size and vertically stacked pairs of hexagonal exhaust tailpipes integrated in the rear bumper ensure that the exterior of the XM has an inimitable exclusive look.
The XM is also breaking new ground with its M Hybrid system, making the XM the first BMW M high-performance car to feature an electrified drive system. Adapted from endurance racing and used for the first time in a production model, the M Hybrid engine generates a system output of 480 kW/653 hp. Depending on the model variant, the M Hybrid system uses either a powerful straight-six engine or a powerful petrol V8. The Bmw XM Label Red version with a maximum output of 550 kW/748 hp is also the most powerful series-production car, homologated for the road, ever produced by Bmw M.