Photo: theophiluschin.com
If you thought that BMW’s range of models is big enough, you’re not on the same wavelength as the management, obviously. The team in Munich decided it was time to create a new SUV, one that’s even bigger than the current X5.
We’re talking about the confirmed BMW X7, of course, a car scheduled for a 2016 launch that will also be built in the US, at the Spartanburg plant in South Carolina, alongside almost the entire X range.
The X7 is going to be BMW’s alternative to the humungous, luxurious trucks everyone loves in the States: the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. Those two, alongside Mercedes-Benz’s GL-Class range are all alone in the higher hierarchies of luxurious SUVs and BMW couldn’t stay away from that little piece of pie, of course. The X7 will be all new and not a stretched version of the X5, as most people expect, at least according to initial official statements.
Having to fit 7 people inside comfortably, the design of the new car will be rather different from what we’ve been seeing from BMW. According to some insider info, the new model was previewed by the Vision Future Luxury Concept unveiled last month.
On the outside, the same huge kidney grilles will be used up front, just like we see here, in the redering created by Theophilus Chin, matching the car’s impressive size. Around the back, OLED lights could be a possibility, as an optional extra.
Inside, the 7 seats will force the designers to probably change some of the same old BMW interior look, unlike on the X5 where you get to seat 7 people but the two extra sitting in the trunk would have to be children or smaller, in order to fit. The materials used should also be more expensive and feel better to the touch than on the X5 and X6 brothers.
As for the engines, considering the size of the thing, we estimate the kerb weight will be somewhere above 2.2-2.3 ton, despite using CFRP and other lightweight materials. That means some serious torque and HP figures will be needed. The entry level version will probably be an xDrive40i model, using the 3-liter turbocharged petrol engine found on the 640i, making 320 HP and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque.
For the US, another petrol version could be available, in the shape of the xDrive50i, using the 4.4-liter V8 N63 engine that’s capable of 450 HP and 650 Nm (480 lb-ft) of torque.
Diesel versions would still be the best choice though, both because of the better fuel efficiency but also for the added torque. An entry-level diesel model could be the xDrive40d with 313 HP and 630 Nm (465 lb-ft) of torque but the tri-turbo 3-liter diesel from the M50d X5 could also be fitted under the bonnet, making 381 HP and 740 Nm (546 lb-ft) of torque. If that’s going to be the case, we’re guessing it won’t be sold under the M Performance Automobile brand.
It’s also very possible that the X7 won’t be getting a manual 6-speed gearbox, as people wanting this car won’t be looking to take it to the track but rather use it for a comfortable cruise. For that sole purpose, the ZF 8-speed gearbox we’ve been getting used to will do just fine.
It’s GL-Class rival has a high-performance version available, in the shape of the G63 AMG that we tested a while back. Even so, its highly unlikely that we’ll be seeing an X7 M model any time soon. If that’s going to happen though, it will be only to combat the Swabian rival as it would serve to no actual other purpose.
The X7 is going to be BMW’s alternative to the humungous, luxurious trucks everyone loves in the States: the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. Those two, alongside Mercedes-Benz’s GL-Class range are all alone in the higher hierarchies of luxurious SUVs and BMW couldn’t stay away from that little piece of pie, of course. The X7 will be all new and not a stretched version of the X5, as most people expect, at least according to initial official statements.
Having to fit 7 people inside comfortably, the design of the new car will be rather different from what we’ve been seeing from BMW. According to some insider info, the new model was previewed by the Vision Future Luxury Concept unveiled last month.
On the outside, the same huge kidney grilles will be used up front, just like we see here, in the redering created by Theophilus Chin, matching the car’s impressive size. Around the back, OLED lights could be a possibility, as an optional extra.
Inside, the 7 seats will force the designers to probably change some of the same old BMW interior look, unlike on the X5 where you get to seat 7 people but the two extra sitting in the trunk would have to be children or smaller, in order to fit. The materials used should also be more expensive and feel better to the touch than on the X5 and X6 brothers.
As for the engines, considering the size of the thing, we estimate the kerb weight will be somewhere above 2.2-2.3 ton, despite using CFRP and other lightweight materials. That means some serious torque and HP figures will be needed. The entry level version will probably be an xDrive40i model, using the 3-liter turbocharged petrol engine found on the 640i, making 320 HP and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque.
For the US, another petrol version could be available, in the shape of the xDrive50i, using the 4.4-liter V8 N63 engine that’s capable of 450 HP and 650 Nm (480 lb-ft) of torque.
Diesel versions would still be the best choice though, both because of the better fuel efficiency but also for the added torque. An entry-level diesel model could be the xDrive40d with 313 HP and 630 Nm (465 lb-ft) of torque but the tri-turbo 3-liter diesel from the M50d X5 could also be fitted under the bonnet, making 381 HP and 740 Nm (546 lb-ft) of torque. If that’s going to be the case, we’re guessing it won’t be sold under the M Performance Automobile brand.
It’s also very possible that the X7 won’t be getting a manual 6-speed gearbox, as people wanting this car won’t be looking to take it to the track but rather use it for a comfortable cruise. For that sole purpose, the ZF 8-speed gearbox we’ve been getting used to will do just fine.
It’s GL-Class rival has a high-performance version available, in the shape of the G63 AMG that we tested a while back. Even so, its highly unlikely that we’ll be seeing an X7 M model any time soon. If that’s going to happen though, it will be only to combat the Swabian rival as it would serve to no actual other purpose.
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