A pity! BMW doesn’t set a Pikes Peak record with the XM

BMW’s record attempt at Pikes Peak in Colorado did not go smoothly. After a dramatic accident – driver Matt Mullins crashed into a tree – the XM missed the record for SUVs.

Although BMW’s PR department of course thinks otherwise. According to a glowing press release, the XM set a record at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb: the record for fastest hybrid SUV.

Yes, we would like a few more. Next year, an automaker will invent the category: fastest mild-hybrid MPV with a wireless phone charger in the dashboard and a “Baby on Board” sticker on the back.

BMW XM faster than Bentley

The BMW XM climbed Pikes Peak in 10:48:60 minutes. This makes the monstrous creation a fraction faster than the Bentley Bentayga W12, which set the SUV record in 2018, but also 16 seconds (!) slower than the current record holder, the Lamborghini Urus.

Pikes Peak climb since 1916

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has been held since 1916 on the 4,270 meter high Pikes Peak in the American state of Colorado. There are more than 150 turns on the way up.

Absolute record for VW

The absolute Pikes Peak record is held by Romain Dumas, who climbed the mountain around five years ago in an electric Volkswagen ID.R. His time was 7:57:14 minutes.

Climbing dance with Ari Vatanen

Previously, the Pikes Peak Trail was mostly unpaved. This is clear in the great short film Climb Dance – about Ari Vatanen’s drive in a Peugeot 405 T16.