The BMW X7 will go on sale in April 2019 at a cost from £72,155, and becomes the seventh and largest SUV in the German premium brand’s line-up.
Set to make its public debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November and evolved from the Concept X7 shown at the 2017 Frankfurt show, the X7 will become BMW’s flagship SUV model and according to its designers offer ‘unrivalled luxury in the large 4×4 segment’.
The new model measures more than five metres long, two metres wide and 1.8 metres tall. It is 23cm longer than BMW’s current largest SUV, the X5, and the only BMW that outstretches it, by 9cm, is the long-wheelbase version of the 7 Series saloon.
BMW intends that the X7 will offer the luxury of the 7 Series but in a capable SUV environment. An interior evolved from the X5 provides up to seven seats, but can be specified in a six-seat configuration with separate seats in the second row.
A control panel in the driver’s door allows the second-row seats to slide forward or back by 1.5cm to ease entry to the rear. Boot capacity of the X7 is 326 litres, but folding the second- and third-row seats down increases this to 2,120 litres.
Standard equipment includes electric adjustment for all three rows of seats, four-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof in three sections and doors with a soft-close function.
Air suspension enables the vehicle to be lowered to ease access or loading, while a split tailgate with electric closing on both elements will also be on all models.
Mechanically the X7 is based on the current X5. Three models initially on sale in the UK will all use six-cylinder engines – the xDrive30d offers 265hp, the xDrive40i 340hp and the range-topping M50d 400hp and a 5.4-second 0-62mph time.
All are matched to a new version of the eight-speed Steptronic auto transmission and all-wheel-drive. The M50 also includes an electronically controlled M Sport rear differential lock to reduce understeer and improve corner exit while also increasing traction on loose surfaces or roads with differing grip levels on left and right.
Prime rivals for the X7 in the currently expanding large luxury SUV market will be the Land Rover Discovery and Mercedes-Benz GLS. BMW expects the model to sell particularly well in China, the Middle East, Russia and America.
