BMW had digitally unveiled its new flagship SUV, the X7, which is set to take on the Land Rover Discovery and the Mercedes-Benz GLS. The seventh SUV in its international line-up, the X7 was previewed by the X7 iPerformance concept that was showcased at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2017. BMW plans to display the new model to the Los Angeles motor show in November, before it does on sale in international markets.
The X7 is meant to combine the comfort and opulence of a 7-series with the versatility and off-road capability of the new fourth-generation X5, with which is shares plenty of mechanical and electric bits.
The new SUV’s key design elements include a large kidney grille, angular LED headlights with optional laser projectors, a contoured bonnet, a tall glasshouse and a two-piece electric tailgate.
In keeping with its upmarket aspirations, the new model gets plenty of chrome accents and comes in two trim packages: a standard variant and the M Sport trim.
With a length of 5,151mm, the X7 is a significant 230mm longer than the X5 and just 89mm shorter than BMW’s longest production car, the long-wheelbase 7-series. The width and height of the new BMW are 1,990mm and 1,805mm respectively, and it has a wheelbase that is 3,105mm long.
The cabin of the X7 has the same design theme as the latest X5, with a multi-layered dashboard that houses a digital instrument panel and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen.
Standard kit on all variants includes four-zone automatic AC, soft-close doors, a three-piece glass sunroof and front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera.
All three rows of seats can be adjusted electrically, and customers can spec a six-seat option in a 2+2+2 configuration as well, which includes individual second-row seats. BMW claims that the second row has 90mm more legroom and 30mm more headroom than the X5.
Boot capacity stands at 326 litres with all seven seats in place, but can be expanded to 740 litres with the two rearmost seats folded into the boot floor. With the second row seats stowed via a standard electric mechanism, the maximum capacity rises to 2,120 litres.
The model will be available with four engine options. The X7 xDrive40i uses a 340hp, 3.0-litre straight-six turbo-petrol engine that has a claimed a 0-100kph time of 6.1secs. The xDrive30d is powered by a 265hp, 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder diesel engine that is claimed to hit 100kph from standstill in 7.0secs.
The performance leader of the initial line-up is the X7 M50d. It uses a quad- turbocharged version of BMW’s 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder diesel engine that produces 400hp and 760Nm. This is sufficient to propel BMW’s largest SUV from 0-100kph in a claimed 5.4secs and on to a limited top speed of 250kph.
All engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and come with BMW’s xDrive four-wheel-drive system, with the X7 M50d featuring an electronically controlled M Sport differential as part of its standard equipment. There will also be an optional Off-Road Package, which features four surface-specific driving modes.
Suspension duties on the X7 are carried out by a double-wishbone setup at the front and a five-link one at the rear. Air springs, an electronically controlled damping and 20-inch alloy wheels are standard. Optional features on the X7 include BMW’s Integral Active Steering rear-wheel steer system, an electric anti-roll system and 21-inch and 22-inch wheels.
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