BMW reveals new X7

About author：

Greg Kable, who comes from Stuttgart, Germany, provides test drive manuscripts for several European automotive magazines such as Autocar, Auto Motor Und Sport.

Greg has more than 20 years of experience in automotive evaluation. He once worked as a Porsche professional test driver and represented the Porsche team in many world-class caravan competitions with super-high driving skills.

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BMW is targeting the Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLS and Range Rover with its seventh and largest dedicated SUV model to date – the new X7.

Pictured here in production guise for the first time ahead of a planned public debut at next month's Los Angeles motor show, the up-market seven-seater is set for Chinese deliveries by mid-2019.

Conceived to provide BMW with a greater presence in the growing upper luxury SUV market, the X7 aims to provide the comfort and luxury of a German car maker’s 7-series saloon together with the versatility and off-road prowess of the new fourth-generation X5, with which it shares much of its mechanical and electrical architecture.

Key markets for the new leather-lined SUV, which goes under the internal codename G06, are likely to be the China, USA, Russia and the Middle East, according to BMW, which is also rumoured to be working on an even more exclusive X8 model to be positioned even further upmarket as a rival to the newly introduced Audi Q8.

The unveiling of the X7 follows the introduction of BMW-owned Rolls-Royce’s new Cullinan, bringing with it the boldest take yet on the new BMW design lineage first unveiled on the resurrected 8-series.

Previewed at by the Concept X7 at last year’s Frankfurt motor show, its key design elements include a large kidney grille integrated into a near-to-vertical front end, angular LED headlamps with optional Laser projectors, a heavily contoured bonnet, tall glasshouse and a two-piece tailgate that opens electronically.

In keeping with its upmarket aspirations, the new model also makes extensive use of chrome within its exterior, which comes can be ordered in one of two appearances: design pure excellence and M Sport.

At 5151mm in length, the X7 is a considerable 230mm longer than the new X5 – and just 89mm shorter than BMW’s longest production car, the existing long-wheelbase 7-series. By comparison, the Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLS and Range Rover run to a maximum length of 5052mm, 5162mm and 5199mm respectively.

The width and height of the new BMW is put at 1990mm and 1796mm.

BMW’s latest SUV rides on a lengthened version of the CLAR (cluster architecture) platform used by the X5 and other recent new models, including the latest 3-, 5-, 7- and 8-series. It features a wheelbase that is 130mm longer than that of the new X5 at 3105mm.

Inside, the X7 follows the same design theme as the latest X5 built with a multi-layered dashboard that houses a digital instrument panel and a standard 12.3-inch touch screen infotainment display – both operating on BMW’s latest ID7 operating system.

Standard equipment on all models includes four-zone air conditioning, ambient lighting, a three-piece glass sunroof and a park assistant function with a reversing camera. Options include a head-up display, a Bowers & Wilkins sounds system, conversational speed recognition control, gesture control and a touch-screen rear seat entertainment system.

The new upmarket SUV receives front seats positioned some 11mm higher than in the X5 in part to the greater nominal ground clearance of the new SUV, making them the highest positioned front seats offered in any BMW model.

A seven-seat layout in a two-plus-three-plus-two configuration is standard in the UK. All seats, including those in the third row, come with electric adjustment. Buyers will also be able to option the new SUV with six-seats in a two-plus-two-plus-two configuration with individual second-row seats.

Crucially, the second row of seats are claimed to offer 90mm more legroom than those in the X5 when they are extended all the way back. The third row of seats also boast 30mm more legroom than those of the X5.

Luggage capacity varies from 326-litres with all seven seats in place to 740-litres with the two rear most seats folded away into the boot floor in a five-seat layout. This compares to the 295-litres and 770-litres offered by the Audi Q7. With the second row seats stowed via a standard electric mechanism accessed by a button within the boot, the maximum load capacity is put at 2120-litres.

BMW has confirmed four X7 models.

The expected volume selling models include the X7 xDrive40i, which runs a turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine with 250kW, and the X7 xDrive30d, whose turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder diesel powerplant produces 265ps (250kW).

The X7 xDrive40i accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 6.1sec and reaches a limited top speed of 250km/h while providing combined consumption and CO2 emissions of 11.4L/100km and 261g/km on the new WLTP test cycle.

Figures for the X7 xDrive30d include a 0 to 100km/h of 7.0sec, 227km/h top speed, combined consumption of 6.5l/100km and average CO2 emissions of 171g/km.

The performance leader of the initial line-up, however, is the X7 M50d. It uses a quad-turbocharged version of BMW’s 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder diesel engine that kicks out 294kW and a generous 760Nm of torque. This is sufficient to propel BMW’s largest and heaviest SUV to date from 0 to 100km/h in a claimed 5.4sec and up a limited top speed of 250km/h, while endowing it with a combined consumption of 7.0L/100km and CO2 emissions of 185g/km.

All X7 models receive an eight-speed automatic gearbox and BMW’s xDrive four-wheel drive system, with the X7 M50d also featuring an electronically controlled M Sport differential as part of its standard equipment. Also available is an optional Off-Road Package, which brings four added driving modes, including xSand, xGravel, xRocks and xSnow.

For selected markets, including China, BMW also plans to introduce a more powerful petrol model in the form of the X7 xDrive50i from the outset of sales. It runs a turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine with 340kW and 650Nm.

Despite offering the new X5 with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, BMW has not yet confirmed it for the heavier X7 due to concerns about its electric range being below the 80km target laid out in the latest Chinese market regulations.

According to Internet Info Agency sources plans exist to modify the petrol-electric system used by the X5 xDrive45e i Performance with newer lithium-ion battery cell technology or even a whole new generation of solid-state battery technology in a move that could conceivably provide the big SUV with an electric range over the 100km mark.

Reflecting its upmarket aspirations, the X7is underpinned by a double wishbone (front) and five-link (rear) suspension featuring air springs, electronically controlled damping control and standard 20-inch alloy wheel – a combination available at extra cost on the smaller X5. Optional features include rear wheel steering (BMW Integral Active Steering), anti-lean (Electric Active Roll Stabilisers) as well as 21-inch and 22-inch wheels.

The X7 will be produced alongside the X3, X4, X5 and X6 at BMW’s Spartanburg factory in South Carolina, USA. Officials are remaining tightlipped on planned volumes, though sources reveal internal estimates expect a similar level of sales to the smaller X6, which attracted over 48,000 sales worldwide in 2017.