BMW is set to redefine automotive luxury with the new X7 model, the latest flagship of the BMW X-line-up. This latest 4×4 offers exclusivity, spaciousness, superior quality, strong performance, agile handling and off-road capability.
It is the largest model in the BMW X line-up combining outstanding powertrain and chassis technology as well as practicality and versatility. With three rows of seats, the interior of the BMW X7 is a paragon of quality, delivering outstanding luxury and a full complement of advanced equipment features.
The new BMW X7 is 5,151mm long, 2,000mm wide and 1,805mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,105mm. In terms of design, the BMW X7 has a three-dimensional version of the bar that turns upwards at its outer edges. At the front, Adaptive LED headlights and front foglamps are standard, while BMW Laserlights are optional. This system employs a spotlight with Selective Beam delivering a non-dazzling high beam range of 600 metres.
Viewed from the side, the BMW X7 features clearly structured surfaces and a character line that rises up to the rear end and it is these elements that are part of the brand’s new design language. The rear doors are longer than the front doors making it even easier to get in and out. Roof rails and the chrome trim strips that run around the door sills, extend up to the Air Breathers and continue in the rear apron, are standard. Fully body-coloured wheel arches house light-alloy wheels in formats up to 22-inches.
The rear is broken up by horizontal lines and bordered by vertical separating edges. Bridging the space between the slim LED rear lights is a chrome bar – a design cue that has only previously been used at the rear of the BMW 7 Series.
Grille bars in Aluminium Matt and an array of accents in High-Gloss Chrome, plus 21-inch light-alloy wheels in Y-spoke design, are included on the entry model as standard. The M Sport model features extra-large air intakes, M-specific 21-inch light-alloy wheels in M twin-spoke design and a distinctive look for the front apron, rear apron and side skirts. It also includes additional design elements in High-gloss Black or Black Chrome – a shade reserved for BMW’s luxury-class models.
Trim elements in High-gloss Chrome can be specified as an option, while options for the BMW Individual range include Sunstone metallic paint and 22-inch light-alloy wheels.
The interior of the BMW X7 is full of expansive surfaces, flowing lines and clear structures. Electroplated accent trips feature on the instrument panel and centre console, and the newly designed display grouping that comes as part of the standard-fitted BMW Live Cockpit Professional includes a Control Display and a fully-digital instrument cluster – each with a screen diagonal of 12.3-inches. A sports leather steering wheel is also standard.
The iDrive Controller, the newly designed gear selector, start/stop button, the Driving Experience Control switch controls, electric parking brake button and the settings for the air suspension and optional off-road modes are all located in the centre console. Light functions in the BMW X7 are operated using buttons, while the high-quality CraftedClarity glass application for the gear selector, the start/stop button, the Controller and the audio system’s volume control are available as an option.
The BMW X7 features an electrically-operated panoramic glass roof as standard. The front, central and rear glass elements all have an electrically sliding headliner activated from a control panel in the front section of the roof. If the optional electric sun blinds for the windows in the rear doors are specified, rear passengers gain a button for operating the headliner.
The Panorama glass roof Sky Lounge, meanwhile, features LED lighting spread evenly across the glass surfaces to illuminate more than 15,000 graphic patterns and generate a display reminiscent of a starlit sky.
Four-zone automatic climate control is standard, but customers can opt for a five-zone automatic climate control system with separate control panel and additional air vents for the third row of seats. The Ambient Air package that infuses the interior with eight individually selectable scents is optional as is a centre console cupholder that can cool or warm as required. Wireless mobile phone charging in the tray ahead of the cupholders is also standard.
Customers can choose six colour tones and a variety of settings for interior lighting via the iDrive control system. The BMW X7 features the Welcome Light Carpet, which illuminates the entry area to the car when the doors are unlocked or opened. It also features the Dynamic Interior Light that emits pulsating light signals on the inner panelling of an open door when the engine is running and on the instrument panel in response to an incoming phone call.
A ten-speaker hi-fi comes as standard, while the optional Harman Kardon surround sound system features 16 speakers. Customers can specify the Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System with 20 speakers and 1,500-watt amplifier. The optional Rear-Seat Entertainment Professional system comprises a pair of 10.2-inch full-HD touchscreen displays, Blu-ray-compatible DVD player, two USB ports, HDMI socket and two headphone jacks. The third row of seats has access to two further USB ports. The X7 uses the latest BMW Operating System 7.0 display and control system, which allows those in rear to select and operate entertainment functions. The rear-seat passengers can use both their own media sources and those available in the front compartment. A navigation map and BMW ConnectedDrive services can also be accessed in the rear seats.
The engine line-up includes a newly developed a six-cylinder in-line petrol unit for the BMW X7 xDrive40i and a pair of six-cylinder in-line diesels to power the BMW X7 xDrive30d and BMW X7 M50d M Performance models. Petrol and diesel units feature turbochargers and are aligned to eight-speed Steptronic transmission, which has a wider gear ratio spread and new control electronics. This reduces engine speeds, particularly in higher gears, which helps to increase overall efficiency.
The BMW X7 will go on sale from April 2019, with OTR prices starting from £72,155.
