BMW debuts X7 SUV flagship

BMW has confirmed details for its new SUV flagship. The BMW X7 is a three-row luxury soft and offroader that is based heavily on the recently-launched new generation X5 – and it will arrive Down Under in the first half of 2019.

BMW posted teasers images of the new X7 earlier this week. Earlier in 2018, we drove prototypes of the new vehicle. Now, the official shots are available and it’s easy to see that the brash elements introduced in earlier concepts have effectively made it to production largely undiluted.

The largest double-kidney grille to yet grace a BMW is at the none-too pointy end, while at the rear there’s just enough differentiation to say ‘not an X5’. BMW says no panels are shared and there are small differences in height and width (including front and rear tracks).

But the main mechanical difference between the BMW X7 and the new X5 is a substantial wheelbase stretch. At 3105mm, the new X7’s wheelbase is 130mm longer than the new X5’s 2975. To put this into perspective, that is almost 110mm longer than Bentley Bentayga and just 15mm shy of the long-wheelbase version of the latest Range Rover.

Compared to the X5 there will also be significant boosts in standard equipment. All X7s will be all-wheel-drive seven-seat (although a six-seat option will be offered in some markets) and will come with BMW’s air-sprung adaptive suspension system (optional on the X5) and active roll stabilisation.

That third row is complete with armrests, cup-holders and USB ports – and all seats are electrically adjustable.

Up front there’s much that X5 buyers will find familiar. A ‘glass’ cockpit comprised of BMW’s new Live Cockpit Professional with xDrive 7.0 and BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant will feature in the new SUV flagship.

The X7 will also feature BMW’s latest autonomous driving technologies. And although hardly the X7’s normal habitat, an off-road enhancement package will be offered that includes modes for sand, gravel, rocks and snow. Ride-height can be adjusted across an 80mm range at the touch of a button or key.

BMW Australia is still to confirm most details for the new X7 – at least officially. In terms of powertrains, it’s likely to pursue a diesel-only option initially. A petrol V8 twin-turbo will likely arrive in a later X7 M Performance variant. Look too for plug-in hybrid and other electrified versions during the model’s medium-term roll out.

Kicking off the local line-up will likely be a 30d variant featuring a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel rated at 195kW and 620Nm. The biggest hitting X7 (for the time being) will feature BMW’s quad-turbo (that’s right, four!) 3.0-litre 50d turbo-diesel generates that pumps out 294kW and 760Nm!

Both engines are matched to eight-speed automatic gearboxes.

No pricing has yet been confirmed.

There’s extra chrome and bling on the outside of the new BMW X7 but the other differentiator will be interior finishes. Although the cabin clearly shares much with its X5 stablemate, the quality of materials has been amped up, commensurate with the X7’s range-topping status.

The BMW X7 will arrive standard with premium Vernasca leather trim, four-zone automatic climate control, a three-section panoramic glass roof, and ambient lighting including BMW’s Welcome Light Carpet and Dynamic Interior Light.

Highlights on the options list include five-zone automatic climate control, Panorama glass roof Sky Lounge, controls with glass inlays, Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System and rear-seat entertainment packages.

Extensive personalisation options will be also offered including a Design Pure Excellence equipment line, M Sport package and the BMW Individual program.