BMW X7 2018 News

BMW has unveiled a new member of its SUV range, with the tall and luxurious X7 aimed at the top of the food chain with its big dimensions and high-end features.

Episode 26 - Lotus SUV, BMW X7, AusGP is awful and, oh, flying cars

Following the unveiling of the BMW X7 iPerformance concept at Frankfurt earlier this year, recent spy photos have surfaced of a pre-production X7 development mule undergoing testing in Germany.

BMW plans to join the seven-seat brigade with its Frankfurt motor show concept, the X7 iPerformance SUV.

Spy photographers have snapped what appears to be BMW's future giant X7 SUV going hammer and tongs at Germany's Nurburgring Nordschleife.

BMW plans to capture a wider audience by adding more SUVs to its range, confirming its seven-seat X7 and the smaller, coupe-styled X2 crossover, will be on sale Down Under within two years.

BMW recently expanded production capacity at Spartanburg in the US where BMW makes most of its SUVs. More than that actually, they increased capacity by 50 per cent – so something big is afoot and that is an X7 which will compete with the likes of Audi’s Q7, VW Touareg, Benz GL class and other big, luxury SUVs.BMW X3, X5, X5 M, X6 and X6 M models have been manufactured so far in Spartanburg, BMW’s centre of competence for X vehicles. They recently added the X4 fast back to the production schedule.BMW is open about the X7 saying "With the BMW X7, we are developing another, larger X model, which we will produce at our US plant for our world markets - once again underscoring our commitment to the US."The range topping SUV will feature plenty of flow on features from the 7 Series passenger cars including luxury kit, technology and powertrains. Think 3.0-litre turbo diesel six cylinder as a starting point - with eight speed automatic transmission. Also factor in the latest in digital connectivity and think reasonably good off road ability on some models.It will probably weigh well over two tonnes and approach the size of a Toyota Landcruiser, perhaps bigger an style-wise, the X7 will share the family look - much like a scaled up X5 which isn’t a bad thing gauged off the new model X5.Prices? Toss a coin, but rest assured there will be an extensive list of options and availability is likely here sometime next year. 

The X7 will build on the success of the benchmark X5, with the German carmaker saying the larger SUV will add space and luxury throughout the cabin, in particular a roomier second and third row of seats, to rival the size of Audi’s Q7 and Mercedes Benz’s GL class.The latest addition of an expanding BMW range was confirmed by BMW Group chairman of the board of management, Dr Norbert Reithofer. "We have decided to develop and build a totally new X model – the new BMW X7. I promise this SUV will also be highly fuel efficient while offering outstanding driving performance. It will be a true BMW," Dr Reithofer said in a statement.The model will be produced for the global market at BMW’s plant in Spartanburg, North Carolina. While no specifications have been confirmed, it is expected that the new model will use uprated versions of BMW’s straight 6 and V8 petrol engines and 6 cylinder turbodiesels.However it remains unknown if the X7 will be based on a stretched X5 platform or on the upcoming BMW 7 Series platform, with the former the more likely option as the X7 will share manufacturing facilities with the X5.The new model also hints at the possibility of a rumoured Rolls Royce SUV becoming a reality, as BMW owns Rolls Royce. The partnership could result in BMW X7 underpinnings with a Rolls Royce body, interior and powertrain – and badge – to tackle the Range Rover Vogue and upcoming Bentley four wheel drive.