BMW is not the only premium carmaker to unwisely elect to fit huge chrome grilles to its latest models. Some months ago one of my GRR colleagues shared a preview photo via WhatsApp of the new Lexus GX 460, the Japanese brand’s range-topping SUV, thankfully reserved at present just for the North American and selected Asian markets, where possible such excessive use of chrome and scale is not considered to be quite so vulgar.
Conversely, adding a well-considered grille to a car can often be the making of its, as proven by various agreeable facelifts of previously grille-less models such as the revamped Rover 800 and 200, the first-generation Fiat Punto and various older Audi models, where the previously featureless grille was replaced by a more expressive and confident version.
Equally, losing a grille can have a detrimental effect on a car’s appearance as well. Consider the pre-facelifted Tesla Model S or the latest MG ZS EV, for example, both of which looked arguably better with a grille as part of the ‘face’ of the car, even if it was something of a token gesture, with both of these models being fully-electric and not requiring the added ventilation of an open grille.
As BMW glories in the release of its XM Concept as its first dedicated M division creation to showcase its doubtless impressive new technologies, the concept’s sculptural form and extravagant luxury may not meet with widespread approval. After all, consider some of the epic past M division models that BMW has created, such as the E30 M3, the M5, M6, M1 and so on. Does this new XM Concept really successfully meet the brief of celebrating half a century of BMW’s past M division glories? I will leave you to draw your own conclusions…