BMW REVEALS HUGE X7 SUV
After several teasers and concepts, BMW has lifted the lid on its new X7 SUV – the largest car the brand has ever built. The colossal X7 takes aim at the likes of the Range Rover and Mercedes GLS, looking to inject some of BMW’S sporting heritage into the sector with a rear-biased four-wheel-drive set-up and powerful engines.
The X7 is longer than a Range Rover but slightly lower and weighs more than 2.4 tonnes in its lightest form.
Styling is an evolution of the X7 concept and is certainly striking. The largest iteration of BMW’S “kidney” grilles graces the front end, giving it a distinctive – if not exactly pretty – face.
Standard LED head and tail-lights add a sharp edge, while all models get a panoramic glass roof. Wheel sizes range up to a massive 22in.
With such a huge body to move around, it’s not surprising that BMW has given the X7 a selection of beefy engines. While overseas markets gain a range-topping “50i” petrol, in Europe there’s only an xdrive 40i on offer – a straight-six turbocharged engine with 335bhp on tap.
Two diesels flank this – badged xdrive
30d and xdrive M50d. The former offers 262bhp and marks the entry point to the range, while the latter – in keeping with its M badging – tops the current line-up with 395bhp.
Inside, the X7 is pure BMW, with a driver-focused cockpit featuring cutting-edge technology as standard. A full digital dial pack consists of a pair of 12.3in displays for driving information and infotainment, all controlled through the latest iteration of the firm’s idrive system. There’s a full suite of active safety aids. A seven-seat configuration comes as standard although, uniquely, customers can specify a 2-2-2 six-seater option.
Sales of the new X7 begin in April 2019.