It’s been a long time coming, and after an actual eternity of spy shots and supposed leaked images, BMW’s updated X7 – their flagship SUV – has been unveiled and we’ll be hearing no comments about the grille, please…
Speaking of that grille…it’s now flanked by automotive designers’ new favourite design fad; split headlights. From the spyshots that we have seen of the upcoming 7 Series, the G11’s replacement will feature a splitty design upfront, too, as will the XM hybrid crossover.
BMW says that the goal of this new design is to emphasise the X7’s upright stance with the LED running lights sitting close to the bonnet line and the actual headlights sitting lower down on the bumper. The xDrive40d model features shiny silver trim left right and centre and the reworked kidney grille now features darkened slats with a brighter chrome surround. Just in case you were worried that someone wouldn’t spot your 5 metre long BMW, the grille now features a zhuzh Cascade Lighting element within the grill as per the Rolls-Royce Ghost’s Pantheon grille.
As for the sportier X7 M60i, the chrome has been replaced by smatterings of gloss black trim with both the kidney grille and lower vents sporting the same black finish. The headlight internals and lenses feature a slightly darkened sheen to make them look a little more aggressive and of course, the requisite M badge has been slapped onto the kidney grille.
14 new colours are available in the updated X7’s colour palette, one of which is Sparkling Copper Grey metallic as seen in the above picture of the xDrive40d model. M Marina Bay Blue metallic as seen below on the M60i is new, too, and BMW Individual hues such as Ametrin, Dravit Grey, Tanzanite Blue II, and Frozen Pure Grey are now also available.
Should customers wish to do so, X7’s can be optioned with the BMW M 50 Years emblem, and 23-inch wheels are now available for the first time ever on a BMW product. The “entry-level” xDrive40d model makes do with standard 21-inch wheels and the M60i is fitted with 22-inchers as standard. 23-inch BMW Individual light-alloy wheels can be had at the tick of a pricey box.
In terms of powertrain, the basic motors remain the same, albeit with the added assistance of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The B57 6-cylinder diesel motor in the xDrive40d has received a little more power and torque with outputs of 259 kW and 700 N.m now on tap. With the assistance of the mild—hybrid system, total torque output is 720 N.m.
The inimitable N63 4,4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 remains with the same 385 kW and 750 N.m, enough to launch the 2,5-tonne behemoth to 100 km/h in around 4,5 seconds. Not likely to be available locally, the top-dog Alpina XB7 features the same V8 motor, albeit with 463 kW/800 N.m, good for 0-100 km/h in just over 4,0 seconds and on to an astonishing top speed of 290 km/h. Across the range, a new eight-speed automatic transmission features with a launch control function. As standard on M60i models is Active Roll Stabilisation and Integral Active Steering. As an option, the updated X7 can be had with the Dynamic Handling package, too.
Tech-wise, the updated X7 features iDrive 8, as per the controversial iX and i4, with its 12,3-inch instrument cluster and 14,9-inch touchscreen, both hidden behind a curved screen. This is the first time that this system has found its way into an ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle. iDrive 8 features a sleeker interface, more streamlined home screen and myriad additional features.
Hop into the cabin and occupants will be met with now-standard multi-contour seats with optional massage and ventilation functions. Heating is standard across the range. The xDrive40d model features the brand’s vegan Sansafin faux leather as standard and Extended Merino leather is standard on the M60i and optional everywhere else.
