The new BMW X7 super SUV will be cutting a dash with the car featuring an illuminated front grille as well as a host of high-tech features.
With new 6 and 8-cylinder engines including mild hybrid powertrains, an updated 8-speed automatic transmission and wheels up to 23-inches – a first for a BMW – the new X7 Series will be priced from £80,980.
The ‘iconic glow’ illuminated kidney grille will be standard across the range and gives the car a dominating presence.
It can be switched on or off by the driver, but is activated as soon as one of the doors is opened.
The revamped X7 Series is available in three specifications – Excellence, M Sport and M Performance – with the range topping M60i priced from £103,600.
The M60i has BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive set up and is powered by a new 4.4-litre petrol V8 engine that develops 530 horsepower, giving it near supercar performance of 0 to 62mph in 4.7 seconds and a top speed limited to 155mph.
Fuel economy is rated at a best of 23.2mpg, with emissions of 278/g/km.
Initially, three power options will be available, with the xDrive 40i having a straight six 3.0-litre engine developing 380hp and a diesel xDrive 40d model having 340hp and capable of an official best fuel economy figure of 37.2mpg.
The X7 Series xDrive 40i is priced from £81,600.
Performance figures for the entry level diesel are an acceleration time of 6.1 seconds, a maximum of 151mph and emissions as low as 200g/km while the xDrive 40i is rated at 5.8 seconds 0 to 62mph and a restricted top speed of 155mph with fuel economy of 30.7mpg and emissions as low as 210g/km.
The new X7 Series is being built in the United States at BMW’s Spartanburg factory in South Carolina and uses many components made from recycled plastic.
Advanced LED lighting sees a split headlight arrangement which uses both daytime driving lights and the main unit to illuminated the roads, while the daytime driving lights also adopt the function of turn signal indicators.
As the largest of BMW’s X SUV models, the X7 can be a 7-seater with the cabin’s instrument panel featuring the Bavarian carmaker’s Curved Display which has a 12.3-inch instrument panel and a 14.9-inch display screen set side by side behind a single glass screen.
In another nod to eco-friendly credentials, the dashboard surface is made from Sensafin – a vegan surface material with leather-like properties, which on the X7 has three-dimensional quilting and surface perforation.
With all seats electrically adjustable the X7 has 14.5cm of travel for the middle row and with all seats in place boot space is 326 litres expanding to a maximum of 2,120 litres.
A split, electrically operated tailgate with hands-free opening is fitted to aid loading, and the car can be lowered via its air suspension at the touch of a button.
Further features include a control panel on the centre console to house the BMW iDrive controller as well as the car’s electronic parking brake, suspension settings and off-road controls plus the gear selector and drive mode buttons.
The new X7 also features a digital tyre diagnosis function as standard, which BMW says is the only one of its kind in the large SUV segment. It uses a cloud-based algorithm to detect pressure loss sooner than the vehicle's tyre pressure monitor, and can also predict when tyres may require replacing.
With the latest generation of iDrive, the BMW Operating System 8, the X7 has advanced technology with a cloud-based navigation system which includes a head-up display while other driver aids include remote control automated parking and sport setting on the gearbox which has launch control and a sprint function for rapid acceleration if needed,
UK deliveries are slated to begin in August 2022.
Prices correct as of 14/04/22 and are subject to change.
