BMW’s largest SUV to date – the X7 – has just stepped out of Spartanburg plant for a testing session. Sporting less camouflage wrap than before, the seven-seater luxury truck from BMW is showing for the first time a production color. Production of the first pre-production models of the new BMW X7 Sports Activity Vehicle has begun at the Spartanburg plant in South Carolina and we even had the chance to drive one of those prototypes back in May.
Photo: Palbay
On the outside, the front-end will be dominated by a larger than usual kidney grille, paired with lots of chrome elements and slim-designed, optional laser headlights. Two large air intakes will remind us of the grandiosity of this luxury SUV while the side view emphasizes the spaciousness found inside the cabin. Even though not shown here, out back, the X7 also sports really narrow taillights, with a chrome bar running along its boot.
The X7 measures 5100mm in length, 2020mm in width and 1800mm in height, about 200mm longer, 80mm wider and 40mm higher than the X5. Its wheelbase is 76mm longer than the X5 at 3010mm.
Under the sheet metal of the X7 lies the same CLAR flexible architecture that underpins rear-drive cars from the 3 Series to 7 Series, and the latest X3 and new X7. The CLAR architecture can accommodate conventional petrol and diesel powertrains, plus plug-in hybrid and full electric drivetrains.
After its auto show and online debut in November, BMW will host the market launch in early 2019 when the first test drives are expected to take place.
