Wednesday 20th March 2024

Behold the BMW XM by AC Schnitzer

'A perfect symbiosis of technical sophistication and aesthetic elegance', says Schnitzer. With 750hp...

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It would be easy to understand some of the better-known BMW tuners passing up the opportunity to fettle the XM. It’s a lot, in every respect, and focusing on the more traditional M cars while those are still around seems sensible. But seemingly they can’t get enough; there’s already been the Thor upgrades from Manhart, plus quite a few others, and now AC Schnitzer has turned its hand to the BMW SUV everyone loves to hate. 

Simply called XM by AC Schnitzer, it takes the standard car up to Label Red levels of power. So that means what was 653hp and 590lb ft becomes 751hp and 664lb ft. Achieved through nothing more than ‘optimisation’, Schnitzer says its work delivers ‘unprecedented performance’. Sounds about right.

But performance has only ever been part of the XM story, be that in standard or modified forms. It’s about making an impact, more than anything. To that end, the AC Schnitzer conversion gets new front wings, rear spoiler and even fins to ensure it really stands out - even compared to other XMs. Apparently all the components have been developed ‘with a view to improving downforce values’. AC Schnitzer spacers add 10mm to the track width each side and work in conjunction with the standard wheels for a bit more stability and visual impact. But really they’re there to be used alongside Schnitzer’s new 23-inch wheels; the AC5 Flowforming rims have been designed for BMW’s latest SUV, and are said to be instantly recognisable as Schnitzer items with the pentagonal hub cap. Here they sit on 295-section front tyres and 335-section rears. 

There’s an interesting line from Schnitzer at the end of its XM press release, once the additional aluminium inside has been mentioned. ‘The new BMW XM by AC Schnitzer embodies the essence of performance, dynamism and exclusivity. It polarises, is absolute luxury class and a real statement.’ They know this isn’t going to appeal to everybody, but more and more that seems like exactly the point of the XM. So don’t be surprised if a few more follow Schnitzer’s lead…

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• 2023 BMW XM | PH Review
• 2023 AC Schnitzer ACS2 40i | PH Review

[SpadeBrigade]

aesthetic elegance? Only if you are on Fentanyl.

I can’t wait for the Neue Klasse cars. This period of BMW design is some of the worst in the brands history.

Slapping a load of exterior parts isn’t enough to overcome its design shortcomings, it just makes them even more of a problem.

[unpc]

Sweet baby Jesus! that's more facetted than Kryton's head.....

[ShredderXLE]

[Jurdy]

I'm feeling positive today. So... I will share that I like it more than the standard one. A solid one out of ten as it is still a three ton ten pinter.

[theicemario]

Surprised they haven’t blacked out the wheels and kidney grills too. Small wins, eh?

[Krikkit]

Probably the first time EVER that an AC Schnitzer looks better than the standard car.

[Mr-B]

Turd polishing turned up to 11.

The grille is the worst thing about these cars and they (BMW) go and illuminate it, FFS don't draw attention to it!

[Dombilano]

By optimisation do they mean piggyback ecu? Like Darren's Golf GTD from Bingley.

It could have 5000hp and shiatsu massage seats, it's still a fk ugly box

[Stick Legs]

As a brand they haven’t made anything I want since the F10 M5.

This is from someone who has owned BMW’s from the E28 - F10 (1980’s to 2018 for those who aren’t into internal product codes).

Even the F15 era X5 was a good looking car.

BMW used to stand for elegant and subtle styling wrapped around clever engineering.
Every thing since is just shouty with awkward & aggressive angles & surfacing for no other reason than to be visually confrontational.

If it was a dog it would be an XL Bully, and frankly that’s probably the demographic they are appealing to.

Minted bogans as my Australian friends would say.

[Augustus Windsock]

Drove past BMW in Chesterfield yesterday, and commented to my wife that there wasn’t a single car on the pitch or inside that I would ‘want’ or aspire to.
Where did it all go wrong?
The last BMW I actually think I’d want to own is an F80/82 M3/4, and before that a 1M, but in reality I don’t think they’ve done anything aesthetically pleasing since the E24 M635CSI.
Oh well, I’m obviously not their target demographic, and I’m quite content with that…

[Panthro]

This looks much better than the standard XM. In the same way that a punch in the face is better than a kick in the balls.

[Frimley111R]

That diffuser....

[Mr-B]

Augustus Windsock said:

Drove past BMW in Chesterfield yesterday, and commented to my wife that there wasn’t a single car on the pitch or inside that I would ‘want’ or aspire to.
Where did it all go wrong?
The last BMW I actually think I’d want to own is an F80/82 M3/4, and before that a 1M, but in reality I don’t think they’ve done anything aesthetically pleasing since the E24 M635CSI.
Oh well, I’m obviously not their target demographic, and I’m quite content with that…

+1 to all of that.

E46 was peak design for me.

[Bobupndown]

I'd happily take that on a European road trip. It would be pretty epic on the Autobahns. Not the most pleasing to the eye but I'm sure it make a noise just like beelzebub with his trousers on fire. I'd like someone else to be paying for the unleaded though

[The test driver]

Dombilano said:

By optimisation do they mean piggyback ecu? Like Darren's Golf GTD from Bingley.

No, will just be running BMW's red label DME calibrations. Regs around the world are getting a lot tighter on this type of thing and anything that changes a vehicles emissions is under greater scrutiny.

[GreatScott2016]

Mr-B said:

Augustus Windsock said:

Drove past BMW in Chesterfield yesterday, and commented to my wife that there wasn’t a single car on the pitch or inside that I would ‘want’ or aspire to.
Where did it all go wrong?
The last BMW I actually think I’d want to own is an F80/82 M3/4, and before that a 1M, but in reality I don’t think they’ve done anything aesthetically pleasing since the E24 M635CSI.
Oh well, I’m obviously not their target demographic, and I’m quite content with that…

+1 to all of that.

E46 was peak design for me.

I think the OG F87 M2 is still a lovely looking thing but as for the modern era, I agree, there’s little to tempt me either.

[J4CKO]

Dombilano said:

By optimisation do they mean piggyback ecu? Like Darren's Golf GTD from Bingley.

Darrens had a Mega Chippy installed ?

[AB]

Better than standard, which is unusual, but also not too difficult on this thing.

Bet it's a hoot to drive though.

[plfrench]

SpadeBrigade said:

aesthetic elegance? Only if you are on Fentanyl.

I can’t wait for the Neue Klasse cars. This period of BMW design is some of the worst in the brands history.

Slapping a load of exterior parts isn’t enough to overcome its design shortcomings, it just makes them even more of a problem.

Clearly BMW know what they're doing with the styling of these cars... it's to drive people away from non-EV sales so they can continue to increase their safety margin with the ZEV mandate targets

The Neue Classe IX3 looks to have taken things down a notch or three in terms of grille scale:

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/leak-b...

[stuckmojo]

It's ghastly