The sculptural headliner of the BMW XM is a rare discovery. The three-dimensional prism structure of its Alcantara surface and discreet illumination give the interior a particularly extravagant and progressive flavour. The visually striking headliner relief also optimises the acoustic shielding offered by the cabin. The headliner is bordered in the style of a photo mount by more Alcantara surfaces – in the same colour as the car’s interior – that reach all the way to the front, rear and side window areas.
"The interior is very dynamic, but not designed with speed in mind. The dynamics lie here in the combination of two different styles: the single-seat character with typical M seats in the front and the lounge in the back. One particular highlight on the XM is the sculptural roof lining. In contrast to a glass roof, it offers a unique visual experience coupled with a low centre of gravity", says head of BMW Design, Domagoj Dukec.
"This special interior design is exclusive to the XM. What’s important for the future is that in every single BMW M we create, we put the focus on our customers. We can’t yet plan what elements we will take over from elsewhere. Every vehicle has new challenges. It could be that we determine that we don’t need to reinvent an element because it’s already involved in a similar context. So we’ll be able to go back to things learned in the past and integrate them in the future. But we can’t plan that in advance, so every time it’s a question of: new game, new chance."