The Middle East subdivision of BMW has posted a video called Dune Taxi starring a previously unseen and unannounced all-electric ATV. It is possible that the Bavarian carmaker wants to compete with Audi in the Dakar Rally.
The story follows the dune buggy as it races multiple BMW X6 M Competition models packing 626 PS (616 hp / 460 kW) on asphalt and sand. The motto of the video sounds ‘When xDrive meets BMW M’: perhaps the company wanted to showcase the advantages of a dual-motor powertrain setup in comparison to traditional AWD designs. In the final scene, the vehicle does a slalom between two SUVs riding on two wheels each and climbs the Tal Moreeb dune with an elevation of 130%.
There isn’t much info about the prototype, though. It looks like it has a space-frame construction with reinforced polymer bodywork. Its powertrain is said to produce 544 PS (536 hp / 400 kW) and 1,000 Nm (738 lb-ft) of torque, and the suspension travel amounts to 400 mm (15.6 inches). Judging by the pilot’s and the second pilot’s helmets, the livery and the bucket seats, the car is not just a random build and is actually prepared for big motorsports. There’s also no missing the word ‘Cosworth’: the company might have helped BMW design and build it.
The video ends with the depiction of the BMW XM, the M division’s new SUV set to debut on September 27. Could the entire Dune Taxi video be just a way to attract our attention to the XM? We will find out soon enough.