Notorious B.I.G
It seems that those leaked photos of the BMW X7 Concept last week were a pretty darn accurate representation of the actual debut photos that the Munich automaker was trying to keep close to its vest. They were real, and here we have them post-announcement, glimpsing what BMW is soon to unveil as a their flagship SUV.
The X7 Concept and the showroom model it will eventually evolve into is the first spear in BMW’s multi-layered, medium-term NUMBER ONE > NEXT strategy that will serve as a pivotal transition between the driver/car paradigm we’re familiar with today into one that’ll be far more dependent on advanced onboard and infrastructural intelligence mated to zero emissions propulsion.
When it does launch, possibly somewhere in late 2018 or 2019, it will sit above the X5 as the marque’s proper answer to the Range Rover, Audi Q7, and Mercedes-Benz GLS. The 7-seat luxury high-rider will no doubt be constructed around the Cluster Architecture (CLAR) that BMW has rolled out to underpin the G11 7 Series and G30 5 Series.
Not much is known about much of the X7 Concept’s technical aspects aside from the fact that, because of its designation as an iPerformance model, it will be shown off with petrol-electric powertrain, likely identical to the one deployed in the 7 Series.
In fact, it should be fairly safe to assume that many of the turbocharged petrol and diesel engines used in BMW’s flagship sedan will emerge in their new flagship SUV as well as a matter of convenience. Naturally, xDrive will be standard across the range to keep grip levels as high as possible and rein in all that mass located higher up the Y axis.
On the outside, though, we do see cues - many, in fact - that make clear it’s cut from the same cloth as many of the most recent concept vehicles to come out of BMW. It certainly is imposing, especially with those 23-inch alloys, and the roofline itself is quite square, ridding any suggestions of a coupe-like influence and instead forming a very commodious glasshouse, helped by the nearly full transparent roof.
Elsewhere, both the rear and front lamp LED housings are very wide by also quite slim, being framed somewhat by quite aggressive looking air intakes/exits. Speaking of air, BMW obviously seems to be very interested in shoving as much of it into the X7’s engine bay as they can, evidenced by their signature kidney grilles that look to now be expanded and bling’d up considerably.
What’s the deal with these massive new-look nostril trend at BMW, and who honestly finds them pretty? BMW says that the fascia here previews the new visage to be adopted by the rest of their X series of SUVs, but we hope that they end up toning it down a few notches.
Moving into the cabin, there’s plenty of similarities with the 8 Series Concept seen earlier this year at the Villa d’Este concours in Italy, highlighted by the futuristic steering wheel, integrated iDrive screen that looks to have a much tighter pairing to the fully digital instrument cluster, and transparent gear lever.
The production model will also likely be offered optionally as a 6-seater, mirroring the cabin layout of the concept seen here with 2 single seats for each row. In that guise, the 7 Series’ tablet-control interface should reappear, as with many of the second-row conveniences and comfort features made available in the saloon. Cargo room should be plenty ample too, even with the third row left upright.
We’ll inevitably have more to cover as details flow out from the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show.
For more on BMW cars, check out our Showroom.
