Big plans for big BMW X7

BMW Australia is planning to offer a range of variants when its new flagship SUV, the X7, arrives Down Under by mid-2019.

Just breaking cover, the X7 is BMW’s first proper three-row SUV and is designed to deliver 7 Series levels of fit, finish and refinement, in addition to seating options for six and seven adults.

The first press drives of pre-production and prototype X7s took place in the USA this week. The still-camouflaged cars did not have complete interiors but delivered a strong impression of the finished product.

No hard dimensional or mechanical specifications were provided during the drive.

BMW Australia is describing the X7 as a “fitting halo” for the X line-up.

“We’re still working on our line-up, but we intend to offer a decent range of models,” BMW Australia spokesperson Lenore Fletcher told motoring.com.au.

The new BMW X7 features two-axle air suspension as standard, in addition to features like acoustic double-glazing, xDrive all-wheel drive, eight-speed auto, panoramic roof, iDrive 7.0 with twin 12.3-inch touch-screens and a full suite of active driver safety aids.

No rear-wheel drive X7 will be offered ex-factory, nor are any four-cylinder versions on the horizon.

Fletcher says BMW Australia is still negotiating engine options. Six and eight-cylinder turbo-petrol engines will no doubt be offered, along with a conventional six-cylinder turbo-diesel.

The most exciting powertrain option, however, may well be the 294kW/760Nm quad-turbo six-cylinder turbo-diesel currently offered in European-market 7 Series.

BMW America is talking up the towing credentials of the X7. In the USA it will be available ex-factory with a two-inch tow hitch receiver and pre-wiring for trailer brakes. Anti-trailer sway systems and the like will also be fitted.

BMW experts at the prototype drive hinted at towing capacity in excess of 3000kg but noted that Australia Design Rules placed unique requirements in terms of pre-wiring.

As such any towing equipment for future Australian X models will remain dealer-fit.

No pricing has been published for the new X7 line-up. With standalone bodywork and considerably higher equipment levels than the existing X5 range, the premium could be substantial.

Fletcher says, however, that BMW Australia is keen to keep the new X7 relevant.

“The X7 is clearly the flagship of the X range… and as such we want it to be relatively accessible, so we are working hard to secure the best pricing package possible.

“We’re hoping our customers will be pleasantly surprised,” she proffered.

The new X7 uses BMW’s new CLAR architecture and will be built alongside the new G05-generation X5, which will beat the X7 to market here by the end of this year, at BMW’s Spartanburg production facility in the USA.

CLAR currently underpins the 7 and 5 Series and also BMW’s latest X3 and X4 medium SUVs.

Package-protected for conventional petrol and diesel powertrains, plus plug-in hybrid and full electric drivetrains, the new architecture will also be used for the next-generation 3 Series that debuts at the Paris motor show later this year.

The X7 is due to launch in the USA late this year, prior to first deliveries in early 2019.

BMW Australia is yet to confirm the local launch date for the X7 line-up, but expects it be on sale “in the first half of 2019”.