Latest news with #superSUV
Car and Driver
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2026 BMW XM Review, Pricing, and Specs
Overview Some letters carry a lot of weight in BMW nomenclature, with "X" and "M" being two of the most significant badges in all of Bimmerdom. Xs are reserved for SUVs, while Ms mark the touch of the fabled BMW Motorsport division; put them side by side and you end up with the BMW XM super-SUV. With all-wheel drive and ample space for five passengers in a seriously lavish cabin, the X holds up its end of the bargain. The M is where things get tricky; its 738-hp plug-in-hybrid powertrain makes the XM Label a certified rocket, but it lacks the overall finesse expected of Bavaria's motorsport maestros. The sole trim on offer is a pricey proposition, especially considering the BMW X7 is more practical and nearly as capable for far less money. What's New for 2026? BMW has whittled down the XM lineup for 2026, ditching the entry-level XM and leaving the XM Label as the sole trim. The XM Label gets a few fresh exterior options, including a new BMW Individual Frozen Tanzanite Blue paint color, a revised welcome light animation, and a Jet Black finish for the 23-inch wheels. There are also new interior themes to choose from, combining three new hues of Merino leather with either brown or black accents. AC charging speed has also been increased, up to 11 kW from 7.4 kW previously. BMW says that production for the 2026 XM Label will begin in August. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2026 BMW XM is expected to start around $187,000. XM Label $187,000 (est) 0 $50k $100k $150k $200k $250k $300k The removal of the base XM trim from the lineup takes the guesswork out of selecting a trim. The 738-hp XM Label is the only option, and with a starting price of over $186,000, it's a pricey one. However, it does come loaded with luxury features, including leather upholstery, huge 23-inch wheels, a cool curved infotainment display, and a host of driver-assistance features. This content is imported from Third party. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Engine, Transmission, and Performance A twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 isn't new to the BMW powertrain portfolio, but in the XM Label, it's partnered with an electric motor and a battery pack to create 738 horsepower. The XM uses a coil-spring suspension system that's augmented by adaptive dampers and active anti-roll bars. The resulting ride isn't as compliant and composed as we'd like, but in comfort driving mode it is acceptably absorbent. When set to sport, the XM's handling is responsive, but the ride gets stiff-legged. 0–60-MPH Times We haven't had a chance to sample the XM Label's acceleration yet, but when we tested a standard XM with 94 fewer horsepower, it delivered a 3.4-second sprint to 60 mph. BMW claims that the XM Label is capable of 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds, but with even the standard model besting that claim, we wouldn't be surprised if the Label's sprint time was closer to 3.2 seconds. We'll update this section when we have a chance to test it for ourselves. View Photos BMW Range, Charging, and Battery Life The XM's 25.7-kWh battery pack is said to be good for about 31 miles of electric-only range per charge, according to the EPA. BMW says the XM's onboard charger is now capable of juicing the battery at up to 11 kW on an AC charger, up from just 7.4 kW previously. Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 XM yet, but last year's Label model received unspectacular ratings of 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway despite its plug-in hybrid system. On our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, a standard XM bested its EPA estimate by returning 20 mpg when driving solely on the gasoline engine; when factoring in the 29 miles we drove on electric power, its result is an even more palatable 49 MPGe. We'll update this section when the EPA releases information on the 2026 model. For more information about the XM's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo Everything about the XM's cabin is high-end, including its optional vintage-look leather upholstery, which was first shown on a concept version of the SUV. The XM's cabin is strictly a two-row affair, and in place of a large panoramic sunroof, the XM can be had with a geometric-patterned faux-suede headliner that features dramatic fiber-optic lighting. An optional audio upgrade adds a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System with tweeters that illuminate. View Photos BMW Infotainment and Connectivity A large, curved display stretches across two-thirds of the dashboard. The display serves as both a digital gauge cluster as well as an on-board infotainment center, and it runs BMW's latest iDrive 8.5 software interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and additional features such as SiriusXM satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a premium stereo system are included as well. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features Basic features such as automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assist are standard on all XM models, but more advanced tech, including an adaptive cruise control system with a lane-centering feature, is available too. For more information about the XM's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include: Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Standard lane departure warning with lane keeping assist. Available adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature. Warranty and Maintenance Coverage BMW offers a competitive limited and powertrain warranty that is bolstered by above-average complimentary scheduled maintenance.
Auto Blog
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Mercedes-AMG Unleashes Special Edition Flagship SUV Limited to 450 Examples
Tired of losing your six-figure, high-performance AMG SUV in the parking lot? Mercedes-AMG is happy to oblige An already exclusive super SUV goes VIP-only with a bevy of special features and a low production run The Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 already sits at the top of the Mercedes SUV food chain. The V8-powered monster commands an awesome $150,650 to start, with no shortage of ways to send that price tag even further into the stratosphere. But when you're already spending that kind of money, why not opt for something less than 500 people worldwide can claim access to? We can't really relate, but it seems Mercedes thinks there are at least a few hundred people who see it that way. Thus, Affalterbach introduced the 2026 AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver Edition. 0:08 / 0:09 Tesla sales in Europe drop yet again Watch More 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ MANUFAKTUR Arctic Silver Edition 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ MANUFAKTUR Arctic Silver Edition 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ MANUFAKTUR Arctic Silver Edition The special AMG GLS 63 is more than just a fresh coat of paint As opulent as it is long-named, the 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver Edition touts tons of details that separate it from the flock of GLS SUVs you may or may not see on your morning commute. Perhaps most obviously, it wears Manufaktur Cirrus Silver Magno paint, a hue apparently exclusive to the model. Red and black accents dot the otherwise almost subtle exterior, with massive 23-inch wheels bearing red accents along the rim and center caps, accenting the red-painted calipers. 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Edition — Source: Mercedes-AMG Other blacked-out accents come courtesy of the included AMG Night Package. While not exclusive to the 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver Edition, it goes a long way here with the special red accents. The tailpipes wear a dark chrome finish, and the roof rails are painted matte black. The 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver Edition also benefits from a front splitter, air inlets, and wing mirrors painted glossy black. Inside, the red and black theme continues. Arguably, the prettiest highlight is the red-accented carbon fiber dash trim, exclusive to the Arctic Silver Edition. For upholstery, the special GLS 63 dons Carmine Red and Black Nappa leather. An AMG Performance steering wheel, Manufaktur black door sills with edition-specific AMG lettering, and ultra comfy deep-pile floor mats round out the ultra-special additions for the 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver Edition. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Edition No changes to the GLS's V8 — but that's okay with us In case you somehow forgot, the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 gets motivation from a rowdy biturbo 4.0-liter V8 making a respectable 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels, allowing the behemoth to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in a Mercedes-estimated 4.1 seconds. Of course, in this arena, you gotta bring the big guns. Close competitors include the BMW ALPINA XB7, which manages 631 horsepower, and the Range Rover SV, which makes do with 606 horsepower. It's crowded at the top. Final thoughts Mercedes has made it a tradition not to release pricing on these special Manufaktur Edition cars, and the 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 Manufaktur Arctic Silver Edition is no exception. One thing is for sure: it won't be cheap, as checking a few Manufaktur boxes on the regular SUV sends the MSRP deep into $170k territory. There is some comfort if you're in the market, however. It seems unlikely that the AMG Manufaktur model will topple the Maybach GLS 600, which starts at $178,450 and permanently occupies the highest rung of the GLS ladder. After all, we don't want any Maybach buyers thinking they're getting the cheap version. About the Author Steven Paul View Profile
The Drive
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
2025 Lamborghini Urus SE Review: The Unapologetically Silly Super SUV
The latest car news, reviews, and features. One of my favorite perks of this job is showing off the fancy cars I occasionally get to friends and family. The first time I sat in the 2025 Lamborghini Urus SE, I couldn't figure out how to shift into drive for three minutes. And so began a fun game to play with all of my passengers: How the hell do you turn this thing on? See, just below the secondary touchscreen for climate control in the Urus are three handles. There's one on the left labeled 'Anima' that scrolls through the Italian words for street, track, snow, and so on; one on the right that controls how deeply the plug-in hybrid super SUV taps its battery pack; and a big one in the middle with a tiny 'R' label on the very top. Miss this label—as I and most of my passengers tended to—and chances are that you'll assume that the big one puts you into drive. Alright, so clearly, it isn't that handle. The others affect drive modes, and they won't get the car moving, either. It turns out our answer lies in the upshift paddle behind the steering wheel, keeping in tradition with the Huracán and Revuelto. Isn't that something? Three levers ahead of the center console, and none of them move the car forward. I asked on Instagram, 'How do you start this car? Wrong answers only,' and this was my favorite reply: 'You have to charge the Anima Engine by attacking until you reach Neve level. Then you can put it into Drive.' Adam Ismail It's moments like these that define the Urus experience, weirdly. At its core, this is the most powerful version of a vehicle that is also available in Audi and Porsche flavors, for six figures less. And even as that familiar shield with a golden bull stares back at you, there's nothing about this Urus that feels especially Lamborghini-ish until you encounter one of its confounding user interface oddities, or you force it out of EV-only mode and that diabolical V8 bursts into life. The façade of fuel-sipping docility fades away, and sheer comedy takes its rightful place. Believe it or not, the Urus has been with us for seven years now. The arrival of the SE marks the most comprehensive refresh yet in the model's history. Front and center is the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 making 611 horsepower, but it's now boosted by an electric motor feeding off a 25.9-kWh battery contributing a further 178 hp. All told, that's 789 hp and an even 700 lb-ft of torque pushing all four wheels through a central torque vectoring system and electronic limited-slip differential on the rear axle. Leave it in EV mode, as it defaults to upon startup, and it'll travel 37 miles on a full battery at speeds up to 80 mph. Adam Ismail Outside, Lambo's SUV has become a bit softer on the eyes, with streamlined headlights, a hood shut line that now naturally runs to the top of the grille without any weird crinkles, and a rearranging of some elements and graphics on the tailgate. A neighbor of mine called it a 'beautiful vehicle' in its Verde Gea matte finish, and I reluctantly agreed because, what else are you supposed to say when someone compliments your Lamborghini? That it's 'a bit much?' This facelift certainly makes for a better-looking Urus, but this was always a beefy, angular hunk of metal, and a few nips and tucks here and there can't do much to change that. The adjustments in the cabin are equally minor, and stand out only if you know where to look. Before the SE, the Urus' center console was one, sloping slab that incorporated two touchscreens, with the lower one reserved for HVAC controls. Now, the top display is wider and more upright, divided from the lower panel by a shelf of leather and little toggles that stick out overhead. The Urus SE starts at $262,630, but the example seen here costs $344,966, and that's never harder to grasp than when surveying the interior. Yes, there's leather, carbon fiber, and Alcantara almost everywhere you look. But there's also black plastic on top of gray plastic, replete with frivolous ridges and hexagons accentuating what is, in many cases, standard Audi switchgear. The $141,000 BMW X5 M Competition I drove last year had seats that articulated in more ways than my spine could ever bend, an inferno spiraling behind its speaker grilles, and heated armrests inside an airy, elegant cabin. The Urus' interior is a dark and very serious bunker. And I know this will sound petty, but Lamborghini is too important and expensive a brand to use Google's free Roboto font across its whole user interface. I won't say that I exactly forgot about all those things when I found a decent road to stretch the Urus SE's legs on, but almost 800 hp and the instant torque of an electric motor do have a way of making other concerns fade into the background. With a top speed of 190 mph and the 62-mph dash dispensed in 3.4 seconds, the Urus SE is an excessive vehicle. It can be comfortable and relatively ordinary in Strada mode, and downright bassy, crackly, and jarringly stiff in Corsa. Sport presents a good compromise, then, and was the mode I had engaged during most of my driving. No matter which you choose, the steering tends to stay on the suspiciously light and numb side, slightly at odds with the Urus SE's 5,500-pound curb weight. That's actually some 700 pounds heavier than the Performante model without the hybrid powertrain that we tested last year. Adam Ismail The active suspension and sophisticated all-wheel-drive system placing all that power keep the Urus SE playful, yet predictable. Left to my own devices on an empty gravel lot, switched to the appropriate Terra mode, I'd even expect it to be agile for its size—if Lamborghini allowed me the opportunity, that is. (This thing has no less than three off-road settings, but they still don't let you take loaners like these off the black.) The 'for its size' part kind of gives away the whole game, though. It still feels like a massive SUV, maybe the most massive, with power and grip in equal measure, and a stunning normalcy when you're not intent on driving it like its badge would suggest. The latest car news, reviews, and features. But the Urus SE isn't the only player in this town. Audi's is called the RSQ8; Porsche's is the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid. Those can be had for $100,000 less. And then, if you're in the market for one of these, there's also the Aston Martin DBX to consider, the Ferrari Purosangue, and whatever McLaren might cook up in the next couple of years. Adam Ismail What does the Urus have that those don't? It looks the most pissed off, and has the most confounding start procedure with a dashboard aesthetic I'd describe as 'military-lite.' Those sound like put-downs, but honestly, damn near everyone I showed the car loved those qualities about it. There's a sense of occasion to flipping up that candy-red shroud, pressing the ignition button, flicking the paddle into drive, and the repetitive 'chonk' noises as you pull those plastic levers to your desired drive mode and battery usage. It's silly, it's complicated, and that's the point. And now that it's a plug-in hybrid, you won't have to wake anyone up during that intricate ritual, unless you really feel like it. 2025 Lamborghini Urus SE Specs Base Price (as tested) $262,630 ($344,996) Powertrain 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with electric motor | 8-speed automatic | all-wheel drive | 25.9-kWh battery Horsepower 789 @ 6,000 rpm Torque 700 lb-ft @ 2,250-4,500 rpm Seating Capacity 5 Curb Weight 5,520 pounds 0-62 mph 3.4 seconds Top Speed 193 mph EPA Fuel Economy 48 mpge | 20 mpg (gas only) Score 7.5/10 The Urus SE's potent plug-in hybrid powertrain now makes it even more versatile than before, though the explosive performance—and gimmicky, love-it-or-hate-it interior—are still definitely here. Adam Ismail
