BMW XM

That's unpleasant.

I presume it's got the 4.4 V8 petrol engine, although it doesn't actually tell you that when you select engines in the configurator.

Why is the dashboard moulding so swoopy - it just makes it look as if there's a traditional layout hiding behind the gigantic flatscreen. It looks half arsed.

It is supposed to be the first all EV M car!  Hard to believe that they gave that accolade to something so ugly and so un M like!

Doesn’t it have the hybrid V8 engine that’s expected to be in the next M5?

I don’t really have any other words….

Quite right too.   Nearly 3 tonnes… with the M2 weighing so much (about the same as my 750i), the next M5 is going to be well above 2 tonnes. 

BMW are a lost cause, that is awful. I assume the Chinese markets like this kind of thing.
The simplicity of the new Range Rovers grow more attractive by the day.

+1 

And they laughed at Chris Bangle....

BMW made £13.5 billion in the 1st half of 2022 (double same period in the prior year).

So it's not obvious they are struggling to shift the new range of swamp donkeys.

Must be, as it's clearly not designed for the UK.   Not for discerning Gentlemen like us anyway.   

This is true.

When the current 4 Series/M4 came out Chinese social media was mostly all praises for it. They like big and ostentatious, sorta like shouting "Look at me! I drive a goddamn BMW!"

I think that BMW has missed the trick that Porsche has pulled off. It has diversified into different cars; different SUV's and electric cars. But it hasn't ditched the cars that gave Porsche its name in the first place. A 992 does not look bloody ugly or awkward, neither does the 718 Cayman. They might sell in tiny numbers compared to the SUV's, but the sportscars are Porsche's showpieces - this is what Porsche is. 

What Jeff says is interesting. The E30 sort of set BMW up in my eyes, and from there BMW grew its reputation (it could be argued that the M1 did that, but that was a niche). In terms of motorsport, you'd be hard-pressed to find an E30 M3 where it wasn't winning something in that era. Either in BTCC, WTCC, DTM, South Africa Touring Cars, Rally or elsewhere - the cars versatility was extraordinary. 

This was in the terminal at BER last weekend when I flew home. It's ugly IMHO and absolutely huge, maybe OK in the USA but surely a liability in the UK (especially car park spaces):
(also not easy to photograph, with a dark-coloured car being placed on a lighted pedestal)

And loads of them about around my way and as much as I hate to admit it they are becoming less horrendous over time (in a very dark colour at least). The rear view isn’t horrible and from all accounts they have absolutely nailed the ‘luxury’ and refined side of things.

I have absolutely zero desire to ever own one though

A good friend of of mine picked up his black iX a month ago and showed me round it. It's not that big on the outside but the interior is very roomy. His has the black with the "loft" interior, which is black with a kind of pale blue suede effect highlights. It might look OK in the showroom but after a couple of weeks use it looked shit, both my wife and I agreed on that. The whole interior just didn't feel very "luxury" and he was moaning about the lack of soft close doors, and a few other luxury touches he was expecting (maybe the microchip shortage has impacted this). Even in black the front looks horrible.

Unfortunately, a couple of weeks ago he went out for a meal with his wife and was waiting to turn right into another road when a Corsa turned out of the road and smashed into he driver's rear three quarter. The young girl driving blew 129 millilitres of alcohol in her breath against a limit of 35, so nearly 4 times over the limit. Her Corsa's front end was destroyed and the front offside wheel was hanging off. His iX was still drivable but did start to make a strange whistling after a couple of days so it's been taken away for repair, he knows not where. It's a carbon fibre tub so I have no idea who, in the NE, is able to repair it.