Photo: Motor.es
The latest reports on BMW’s upcoming X7 flagship SUV are pointing to some rather interesting details but to be completely honest, we’re not buying even half of it. Spanish publication Motor.es claims that the future X7 will be sharing its underpinnings with the Rolls-Royce SUV, will have V12 engines and a starting price of €130,000. Let’s see what’s what.
Not too long ago, the Rolls-Royce CEO claimed that the upcoming so-called SUV from his company will not be sharing its chassis with the new X7, denying all the rumors on the market. Instead, he claimed that the car that’s being developed as we speak will have its own aluminum space frame.
Our insider also confirmed that the Munich engineers are working on two different projects at the moment. The G07 X7 and the new Rolls will each have its own underpinnings, the X7 benefitting from new age carbon fiber while the Brit will be doing just fine without it.
Simply put, €130,000 is just too much. All you have to do is look at the competition that is roughly represented by the GL-Class from Mercedes-Benz at the moment. That model starts at €74,285 and that’s nearly half of what these folks are suggesting.
Even if the BMW will bring more space and more luxury inside, its starting price couldn’t be above the €100,000 psychological boundary. And even if it was, not by €30,000. Our presumption is that, at best, it will start somewhere in the high €90,000s but that’s all we can say at the moment.
In the US it will be close to the Escalade and Navigator in terms of pricing. That means that under $80,000 will do, especially since the X7 will be built locally, at the Spartanburg plant in South Carolina.
It will definitely be an expensive, luxurious car and paying a gas guzzler tax won’t be an issue for a prospective owner. Furthermore, the 544 horses will come in handy when you want to get a move on.
On top of this, RWD and AWD are both being considered apparently, per to our own source. At the same time, a hybrid version is almost a certainty at this moment, one that could look very much like the setup on the 5 Series GT BMW unveiled a while ago with 670 HP and 1,016 Nm (750 lb-ft) of torque.
A first look at the concept that will preview the X7 is expected to take place in Shanghai next month so keep close as we’ll be bringing you live photos from the venue.
Our insider also confirmed that the Munich engineers are working on two different projects at the moment. The G07 X7 and the new Rolls will each have its own underpinnings, the X7 benefitting from new age carbon fiber while the Brit will be doing just fine without it.
So that’s strike number one for the Spanish publication.
The second strike is the price tagSimply put, €130,000 is just too much. All you have to do is look at the competition that is roughly represented by the GL-Class from Mercedes-Benz at the moment. That model starts at €74,285 and that’s nearly half of what these folks are suggesting.
Even if the BMW will bring more space and more luxury inside, its starting price couldn’t be above the €100,000 psychological boundary. And even if it was, not by €30,000. Our presumption is that, at best, it will start somewhere in the high €90,000s but that’s all we can say at the moment.
In the US it will be close to the Escalade and Navigator in terms of pricing. That means that under $80,000 will do, especially since the X7 will be built locally, at the Spartanburg plant in South Carolina.
The last hit finally landed on the ball
Lastly, we come to the engines and transmission options. Since this will be a big car, a flagship that will have more features on it than a comparable 7 Series, the weight will be in the 5,000 lbs region. For such heavy lifting, a big V8 will probably be used. However, the Spaniards claim that the V12 plant on the 760i models will also be used and we agree with this speculation.It will definitely be an expensive, luxurious car and paying a gas guzzler tax won’t be an issue for a prospective owner. Furthermore, the 544 horses will come in handy when you want to get a move on.
On top of this, RWD and AWD are both being considered apparently, per to our own source. At the same time, a hybrid version is almost a certainty at this moment, one that could look very much like the setup on the 5 Series GT BMW unveiled a while ago with 670 HP and 1,016 Nm (750 lb-ft) of torque.
A first look at the concept that will preview the X7 is expected to take place in Shanghai next month so keep close as we’ll be bringing you live photos from the venue.
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