Marc Cucurella now drives a BMW XM hybrid SUV with a V8 engine and 748 horsepower to Real Madrid training. The club’s sponsorship deal with BMW means luxury and sustainability now go hand in hand for the squad’s daily commute.
Marc Cucurella’s arrival at Real Madrid has drawn attention for more than just his play. The Spanish defender now shows up at Valdebebas behind the wheel of a BMW XM hybrid SUV—a 748-horsepower machine that reflects both his status and the club’s new approach to mobility.
It’s a shift from the days when players at Spain’s top clubs drove only high-end combustion-engine cars. Real Madrid’s partnership with BMW has changed that: every player now drives a BMW, with the XM plug-in hybrid and the fully electric i7 as the top choices. This is the fourth season in a row that BMW has filled the squad’s garage, taking over from Audi’s long run as the club’s car sponsor.
Marc Cucurella’s transfer to Real Madrid from Chelsea was completed in the summer of 2026, with his contract running until June 2032, according to independent sports aggregators.
Cucurella picked 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, reaching 0–100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. The Label edition, which Cucurella drives, uses a V8 M Hybrid system to deliver 748 horsepower and a 0–100 time of 3.8 seconds. This top model costs €192,850 and can go up to 83 kilometers on electric power alone, with a full charge taking less than three hours.
For Cucurella, switching to BMW was more than just following a sponsorship rule. He previously drove a Mercedes Clase G, a luxury SUV he bought while playing for Chelsea. That car, which starts at €155,000, is now off-limits at Real Madrid—not only because of the club’s exclusive BMW deal, but also because its right-hand-drive setup isn’t practical in Spain. So Cucurella has joined his teammates in driving a BMW, combining environmental awareness with performance.
This move toward hybrids and electric vehicles isn’t unique to Madrid. Clubs across Spain have teamed up with automakers to promote sustainability: Barcelona’s players drive Cupra, and 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, the Spanish market for hybrid SUVs is growing fast, with both luxury and mainstream brands competing for buyers.
According to reports from Yahoo Sports and SportPesa, Cucurella’s arrival is part of a major Real Madrid squad overhaul in 2026, with the defender named among six significant summer signings that year. This context highlights that his move and the associated BMW story are elements of a broader club transformation, not isolated events.
According to Google/SpainAuto, Real Madrid’s use of BMW’s latest models is more than just marketing. The XM’s specs—like all-wheel drive, fuel use under 5 liters per 100 km, and a mix of electric and petrol power—show a push for efficiency without giving up 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 changed quickly, moving from pure show to a mix of prestige and environmental messaging. Real Madrid’s garage is now a display of the club’s commercial partnerships and its willingness to adapt. That Cucurella, a world champion, has left his Mercedes for a BMW hybrid says a lot about where top-level football and the car industry are heading in Spain: power and sustainability are now expected to go together.
