When BMW came up with its first high-riding model (that was the X5, which landed back in 1999), few imagined that, one day, the Bavarian automaker would turn into a niche specialist whose crossover lineup would involve more models than you can count using five fingers. Well, here we are in 2017, talking about the largest crossover ever developed by the German automaker, namely the 2019 X7.
We've spied the X7 on countless occasions and we're now back on the topic to bring you a bit of an elephant ballet - the X5's big brother has recently been spotted doing its thing on the Nurburgring.
As a part of our office agrees, the BMW X7 looks right-sized for a three-row proposal whose rear seats are supposed to offer proper accommodation.
Unlike Audi, which has chosen the uber-styling Q8 as its SUV flagship, the X7 will be a practicality-focused luxobarge, which obviously means that Mercedes-Benz GLS is a closer rival for the upcoming BMW.
It's enough to check out the engine range of the BMW 7 Series to understand what X7 customers will be treated with. As such, the American buyers will get to choose between a 3.0-liter straight-six and a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8.
Those who prefer to burn oil will only have to select the number of turbochargers working with a 3.0-liter inline six. By now, the 30d (single turbo), 4.0d (twin-turbo) and 5.0d (quad-turbo) configurations are already familiar.
We should also see a 40e hybrid powertrain being offered, which will mix a 2.0-liter turbo-four delivering 255 hp with an 111 hp electric motor, thus offering a combined output of 322 ponies.
When it comes to the introduction of the BMW X7, we can be certain that the three-row crossover will land in September, at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Nevertheless, the German venue will probably bring us the high-riding Bimmer in concept form, with the production model expected to land next year. The X7 should reach BMW dealers across the US in the first months of 2019.
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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