Coming in Red Hot

Is "Label Red" Munich's take on Affalterbach's "Black Series"? The XM Label Red is the most powerful BMW production car ever. With 748 hp and 1,100 Nm, the limited edition 4x4 V8 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle promises a drive experience unlike anything ever before

THE BMW XM WAS THE FIRST SUV CREATED ENTIRELY BY THE M division. That, of course, was a lot of BMW M with a double helping of BMW X and a little BMW i as well. The result of this synergy was something that looked and felt unlike anything we had experienced before. In the BMW XM Label Red, the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 makes an even greater contribution to the total system output generated in tandem with the electric motor. It produces an additional 115 hp over the XM's tune for a maximum output 585 hp at 5,600 rpm, while peak torque is up 100 Nm to 750 Nm. The 145-kW electric motor persists with 197 hp and 280 Nm, the latter geared to deliver a peak 450 Nm where it matters.

Performance then is as staggering as the numbers portray. The XM Label Red takes just 3.8 seconds to get from 0 to 100 km/h and gets up to a top speed limited to 250 km/h. That can be raised to 290 km/h with the optional M Driver's Package.