BMW teases new X7 seven-seat SUV

BMW has provided a sneak peak of its biggest SUV ever in a recent press conference ahead of its launch in 2018.

The image, clearly labelled ‘X7’ and showing the huge Range Rover rival hiding under a semi-transparent cover, was projected at the company’s annual press conference.

Reportedly codenamed “F17”, the all-new seven-seat X7 is said to be more than half a metre longer than the current X5.

Originally, it was thought the big X7 would be co-developed alongside the BMW Group-owned Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV, but that’s not the case.

That’s because, according to the luxurious British car-maker, both the Cullinan and the firm’s next-generation Phantom, Ghost and Wraith will ride on an all-aluminium space-frame chassis that’s said to be unique to Rolls-Royce.

Instead, the BMW is most likely to be based on the same platform as the X5/X6 -- alongside which it will be built at BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina facility -- or perhaps the CLAR platform that underpins the latest 7 Series.

To help keep weight down to around 1900kg for the heaviest model, the X7 will come with not only an aluminium-intensive structure, but with some body panels and parts made entirely of carbon-fibre, using the know-how borrowed from the BMW i sub-brand.

The range will begin with 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol and diesel engine variants, plus a next-generation V8 engine. There will also be a plug-in hybrid variant with, finally, more than 50km of electric range thanks to BMW packaging the bigger batteries right from the car’s conception.

Critically, in the battle with new rivals like the Bentley Bentayga, the most luxurious BMW SUV will also come with a V12 powerplant, most likely lifting the 7 Series’ 6.0-litre engine. All engines come with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Air suspension will also be standard on the X7, which is said to offer both significant ride and handling benefits but can raise the BMW’s body out of harm’s way, boosting its off-road prowess.

Set to become the biggest, most luxurious and expensive (M1 supercar aside) BMW ever created, the X7 will have a clear comfort-bias with a cabin that maximises middle-row legroom.

Some models will even come with the option of a third row of seats that fold electrically into the floor when not in use.

BMW hopes it will sell around 50,000 X7s a year when it goes on sale in 2018.

Pricing is expected to start at around $150,000.