Revised BMW X7 SUV shows its new face

BMW has unveiled its facelifted X7, which is coming to South Africa. The flagship SUV underwent an exterior redesign showing off a new front fascia, and the range of standard equipment and driver assistance features have been expanded.

Additionally, the manufacturer’s latest 48V mild-hybrid technology is incorporated into the two engine options on offer.

The biggest exterior changes are upfront where we see new matrix LED headlights with a split design.

There’s also an illuminated kidney grille, which is standard on the M60i xDrive and optional on the other models.

At the back end, there are new taillights with 3D sculpting joined by a new chrome bar that runs along the tailgate.

Inside you’ll find a newly designed dashboard with slim air vents as well as an ambient light bar.

Among the updated standard features in the new X7 are heated front seats, four-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, a Harman Kardon stereo, a Sport leather steering wheel with paddles, and a wireless charger.

A 12.3-inch infotainment display brings Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, BMW Maps, BMW Intelligent personal assistant, and BMW ConnectedServices support – while a 14.9-inch driver’s display provides controls over many in-car features.

In the driver assistance department, the new BMW also gets a front-collision warning system, an exit warning function, and a reverse camera with reversing assistant.

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On the engine front, the X7’s range of power plants drops from seven to three with the causalities in question being the quad-turbodiesel M50d, the xDrive 30d, the M50i and the xDrive 50i.

Carried over, the xDrive 40i remains the entry-level engine, aided by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that adds nine kilowatts and 200Nm to the 3.0-litre turbo-charged, straight-six for short bursts.

In total though, outputs increase by 35kW/70Nm over the pre-facelift X7 xDrive 40i to 280kW/520Nm, with the 0-100km/h sprint improving by 0.5 seconds to 5.8 seconds.

Now the sole diesel model, the X7 xDrive 40d’s 3.0-lite straight-six benefits from redesigned internals and new common-rail direct injectors. While it continues to produce 250kW/700Nm, the latter figure increases to 720Nm thanks to the mild-hybrid system.

The 0-100 km/h sprint is completed in 6.1 seconds.

As before, the M60i retains its flagship status, albeit with unchanged outputs of 390kW/750Nm from the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8.

It does, however, also feature the mild-hybrid system and will complete the 0-100 km/h dash in 4.7 seconds.

The new BMW X7 is due to reach South Africa during the fourth quarter of 2022, with pricing and specifications to be announced nearer to launch.