Immediately, we find a rather “talkative” button on the dashboard: next to Normal and Sport, there is a mode switch for Sand, so you can guess the target audience: wealthy buyers from Arab countries, or a course! After more than 45 years, this became the first real M model produced by M. Since the magazine's testers could not take it on the race track due to the manufacturer's lack of approval, they had no choice but to test drive it and a few other similar SUVs. In this, he apparently managed to escape the truth, but only apparently, because even on this informal outing, he was constantly confronted with his limitations by his compatriot, the Porsche Cayenne.
The latter has set the bar very high for the XM developers, provided that M GmbH is serious about the letter M behind the X and does not include it, for example, as an abbreviation for “monster” or “melás” in the type designation for the XM. The giant SUV. And we should know about a Porsche that defies the laws of physics in an amazing way, because it has reached an amazingly high level in terms of driving dynamics.
Fortunately for BMW, since its last model update, the GT version of the Cayenne, which is superior to all other versions, is only being prepared for markets outside Europe. One of the equipment packages offered exclusively for the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid in the EU is designated GT, and although the 739 hp hybrid is more powerful than its indirect predecessor equipped with an internal combustion engine, it is also heavier (2,495 kg).
The other two vehicles in the test are almost helping the aforementioned main bulls. One of them is the Maserati Grecale Trofeo, which has a more compact exterior and a lighter weight of 2,027 kg, and combines the performance of a power of 530 hp, which can not be said to be small. Just looking at the Land Rover Defender is enough to confirm the theory that the best way to bring high performance and fiberboard space to an off-road vehicle is to nip the sportiness in the bud in the bud in the first place. So they stuck to their traditions. (The predecessor of this type, developed for agricultural work, was originally introduced in 1948. It was not called Defender – “Defy” – until 1990. The popular car was produced for almost seventy years – without major changes – and after that it could no longer meet the contrary safety regulations, so it was radically renewed in 2020.)
“At first glance, it looks as if the new Defender has evolved from a full-fledged 4×4 into a luxury car: air-conditioned seats, rich leather upholstery, high-resolution screens, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s a fact that it’s said goodbye to the classic body-on-frame, but regardless, as evidenced by the 90cm wading depth and available winch, it’s still not afraid of the challenges of the terrain,” write Sport Auto’s testers.
The Maserati Grecale Trofeo will almost certainly not be driven off-road. On the asphalt, however, it clearly satisfies the driver’s desire for adventure. Despite being officially an SUV, it feels light, compact and very sporty. The raspy sound of the Nettuno V6 engine and its lively revs are impressive, while the all-wheel drive system provides excellent cornering behaviour.
The BMW XM is not only problematic in its large space requirements, but also in its tuning: at low revs, the engine sound is so intense that it can be deceiving to the driver. “The interior is too tacky for what the exterior suggests, and the tuning is either a bit crude or not consistent enough.” The XM struggles to find its identity between the X and M models.
The Porsche Cayenne and BMW XM have a turbocharged V8, but the Porsche's electric motor is less present. However, the Cayenne's system performance is superior to the XM's. The Porsche is a more harmonious phenomenon, its responses are more precise, and it hides its mass and dimensions more skillfully.
The XM, Cayenne, Grecale and Defender all approach the concept of sportiness from a different angle, but each clearly has its own distinct personality. The BMW XM struggles to find its place, while Porsche, Maserati and Land Rover offer a distinct all-or-nothing driving experience.
In addition to the more detailed test dumps, the magazine also includes in-depth tests of many great (or unsuccessful) models. Highlighting a few:
So far, only a handful of Toyota GR Corollas have made it to Europe. We tracked down one example and compared it to its sportier sibling, the also all-wheel-drive GR Yaris.
As a novelty, the Cup package can be specially ordered for the Veloz sports model versions of the Cupra Leon. The test reveals what is worth knowing about it.
Is the M3 CS destined to become a four-wheel legend? With its excellent Nordschleife lap time, the second-best BMW ever tested on the track, its chances are very good.
The new Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupé, with its three-litre six-cylinder turbo engine and plug-in hybrid technology, is wider and more spacious than its predecessor. It is a truly distinctive and attractive car.
Blind Ferrari fans wearing face masks are probably noticing with gloom that the highly regarded sports car brand now also has an urban off-roader. This is the Purosangue. And apart from them, everyone is happy about this fact, especially about the fact that the wonderful naturally aspirated V12 engine powers the new product’s 2.2-tonne weight.
They're not the youngest, but that's why they're so attractive. What they have in common is a twin-turbo V8 without any kind of electrical assistance, a top speed of slightly more or less 300 km/h and increased performance. Who wins: a GT in the traditional sense of the word or a sharp performer? Audi RS7 vs Alpina B5 comparison.
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