BMW teases production X7 SUV
BY ROBBIE WALLIS | 15th Oct 2018
BMW has taken to social media to reveal the first teaser image of its all-new X7 seven-seat upper-large SUV, the German brand’s newest model that will take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Range Rover and Lexus LX.
The X7, shown in a single, darkened front-on shot looks to retain many of the styling cues first shown on the X7 iPerformance concept unveiled at last year’s Frankfurt motor show.
One feature that has clearly carried over from the concept to the production X7 is the massive kidney grille, a BMW signature that has been produced in possibly its largest iteration yet.
The grille is flanked by LED headlights featuring the recognisable twin hexagonal lighting signature, joining the grille in the centre in a similar way to the 5 Series sedan and wagon.
Its headlights also feature the blue headlight element from the concept, however it is not known what function they serve.
Stylised air intakes feature on the lower flanks of the X7’s front fascia, which sit lower and wider than those on the concept. The X7 also retains the concept’s chrome stripe that runs along the lower air intake and curls around to the side intakes.
Few other details on the X7 are discernible, other than it will feature roof rails and cream-coloured leather seats.
It will also measure larger than the X5, which in new-gen form stands 4922mm long, 2004mm wide and 1745mm tall.
Pundits can expect the X7 to wear large alloy wheels – perhaps not as big as the 23-inch hoops on the concept – and a luxurious interior befitting its status as BMW’s most prestigious SUV.
The production X7 can be expected to borrow some interior features from the concept, including a digital instrument cluster, perforated leather seats, trimmings of genuine wood, a panoramic sunroof and three rows of seating.
No details have yet been revealed on the powertrains that will underpin the X7, however the most likely options will be 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engines, namely a 250kW/450Nm petrol and 195kW/620Nm diesel version.
A plug-in hybrid variant featuring a detuned version of the petrol six-cylinder is also possible, as is the 294kW/760Nm quad-turbo-diesel M50d mill.
The 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 powering X5 50i and M variants is also likely to be added to the range at some point.
More details on the X7 are set to be revealed in the near future.
