The 738bhp BMW XM Label Red will take on Pikes Peak

Performance SUVs are here to stay people, there’s no doubt about that. In fact, the segment is only set to get bigger and more competitive in the coming years, quite literally in the case of the ever-so-slightly controversial-looking BMW XM.

Unveiled back in September last year, we’re sure you already have your opinions on the styling, the plug-in hybrid powertrain and the 2,710kg kerbweight. 

You may also remember that at the time BMW released a small amount of detail on a more powerful special edition. That was to be known as the XM Label Red, and its 4.4-litre V8 plus electric motor combo was to produce 738bhp and 738lb ft of torque. Yikes.

Now, we don’t have any more detail on the Label Red just yet, but we do now know that it’ll compete in the Exhibition class of this year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Good luck to driver Matt Mullins.

The 101st running of Pikes Peak will take place on 25 June, but the full competitor list has already been released and confirms BMW’s presence. So, do we reckon that the XM will be able to beat the Lamborghini Urus’s production SUV record of 10m 32.064s? Time will tell…