Marc Cucurella has arrived at Valdebebas behind the wheel of a BMW XM hybrid SUV, a 748-horsepower vehicle that reflects his status and Real Madrid’s approach to mobility. The Spanish defender’s transfer from Chelsea was completed in the summer of 2026, and independent sports aggregators say his contract runs until June 2032.
It’s a change from the days when players at Spain’s top clubs drove only high-end combustion-engine cars. Real Madrid’s partnership with BMW means every player now drives one of the brand’s cars, with the XM plug-in hybrid and fully electric i7 among the top choices. BMW has supplied cars to the squad for the fourth season in a row, taking over from Audi’s long run as the club’s sponsor.
Cucurella chose the BMW XM, a plug-in hybrid SUV available in two versions. The base 50e starts at €136,650 and pairs a six-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined 476 horsepower. It reaches 100 km/h from 0 in 4.8 seconds. The Label edition, which Cucurella drives, uses a V8 M Hybrid system to deliver 748 horsepower and reaches 100 km/h from 0 in 3.8 seconds. This top model costs €192,850, can travel up to 83 kilometers on electric power alone and takes less than three hours to charge fully.
For Cucurella, switching to BMW meant more than following a sponsorship rule. He previously drove a Mercedes Clase G, a luxury SUV he bought while playing for Chelsea. Starting at €155,000, the car is now off-limits at Real Madrid because of the club’s exclusive BMW deal; its right-hand-lead setup is also impractical in Spain. Cucurella now drives a BMW alongside his teammates, pairing environmental awareness with performance.
The move toward hybrids and electric vehicles extends beyond Madrid. Clubs across Spain have teamed up with automakers to promote sustainability: Barcelona’s players lead Cupra, while Atlético de Madrid’s squad uses Hyundai. The change is visible at training grounds and on city streets, where hybrids and EVs have replaced the old fleet of petrol sports cars. As reported earlier, Spain’s hybrid SUV market is growing fast, with luxury and mainstream brands competing for buyers.
Reports from Yahoo Sports and SportPesa describe Cucurella’s arrival as part of a major Real Madrid squad overhaul in 2026. The defender was named among six impressive summer signings that year, placing his move and the BMW story within a broader club change.
Google/SpainAuto reports that Real Madrid’s use of BMW’s latest models goes beyond marketing. The XM combines all-wheel lead with electric and petrol power. Fuel use under 5 liters per 100 km adds to its efficiency pitch, without sacrificing performance. For players like Cucurella, the car is both a perk and a public signal that luxury and responsibility can go together.
The image of the footballer’s car has shifted from pure show toward a mix of prestige and environmental messaging. Real Madrid’s garage reflects the club’s commercial partnerships and willingness to adapt. Cucurella, a world champion, has left his Mercedes for a BMW hybrid, a sign that Spanish football and the car industry increasingly expect power to go hand in hand with sustainability.
