BMW reveals high-performance M 1000 XR sportstourer

BMW has revealed a prototype of its third dedicated M model, with the new M 1000 XR set to debut in full later this year.

The M 1000 XR will join the M 1000 RR and the M 1000 R in the Munich firm’s high-performance M division and will provide an up-spec take on the award-winning S 1000 XR sportstourer.

Based on the S 1000 XR and influenced heavily by the S 1000 RR superbike and its M 1000 RR sibling, the new M 1000 XR will adopt the four-cylinder superbike engine and ShiftCam technology and produce more than 200hp – a significant increase over the S 1000 XR’s 165hp. It will also have a claimed top speed of 280km/h.

Other key features revealed with the prototype include M winglets for aerodynamic efficiency and M brakes which have been developed with experience taken from the firm’s World Superbike team.

BMW claims the new machine will weigh just 223kg when fully fuelled, while further weight reductions are possible with the M Competition package.

The BMW M subsidiary was founded in 1972 as BMW’s motorsport division, but it eventually evolved into the German manufacturer’s high-performance arm. However, while BMW offered M parts and packages for its motorcycle range, the M designation only applied to its cars. The release of the M 1000 RR in 2021 marked the firm’s first dedicated M model.

It is unclear which other BMW models are in line for the M treatment, with rumors of an M 1300 GS gathering traction in 2022, after internet sleuths discovered that the firm had already legally claimed the R 1300 GS, R 1400 GS, and M 1300 GS monikers. The next-generation GS is expected to land in 2024, replacing the current R 1250 GS.

The current S 1000 XR is popular for its perfect blend of sportsbike performance and touring comfort. It starts at $30,050, but the M 1000 XR will likely come with a significant premium over that price tag. Further information on the new model is expected in the second half of 2023.